2023 (expanded) World Cup in South Africa

Catogrande

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="mariner4life" data-cid="554905" data-time="1454022324">
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Dude, I'm loving your work, but wasn't 99 "in" Wales? And i have strange memories of watching the 2007 final in Paris.
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Aaaaaargh! Fuck it. Memory is a bastard. And what's more I do need to check my maths. Sorry Rowan.

Rowan

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="JC" data-cid="554994" data-time="1454036477">
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I went to the 95 RWC. There were theoretically lots of things to do but safaris and such were expensive and not necessarily convenient. All the activities were organised for us and we were warned in most places not to go out on the razzle by ourselves. I haven't been back since so I'm not sure if it would be the same now. I had a great time but I recall a lot of travelling to and from, and in, airports, which are shit places with a hangover.
 
On the other hand I've been to Ireland more times than I can count. Now the Irish team may be a pack of rabbit-punching thugs :fishing: but Ireland is fucking awesome. And that, by the way, is official. Anybody who says there isn't enough to do there is a fucking simpleton, and not someone with whom I would care to share a quiet pint and a yarn.
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So now we're down to personal anecdotes.

Rowan

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="rotated" data-cid="554996" data-time="1454036878">
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My favourite part is how Ireland is unfit to host a World Cup for having limited Stadia, shit weather and a poor RWC record while 1999 is the gold standard for World Cups and was hosted in fucking Wales.
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Almost everybody else here has been saying the 99 format was a shambles. I didn't think it was bad. Two very dramatic semis, and an historic win for Argentina over the Irish. Not the best World Cup ever, but far from the worst.
 
Of course, what you're overlooking here is that France, England, Scotland and Ireland were all involved in hosting this event. No way Wales could have done it on its own. So, once again, I think we can be pretty sure that, if awarded the event, Ireland would follow that fine tradition of immediately doing an about-face on the single host nation pledge and ship a bunch of games across to Britain - & possibly France, depending on how the behind-the-scenes wheeling and dealing played out.
 
So it really comes down to a 2nd World Cup in sunny, rugby-mad South Africa with its vast array of rugby-purpose stadia, or a 5th World Cup on the chilly, football-mad north-west tip of Europe, with games either crammed into Ireland's one major rugby venue and a bunch of creaky old converted Gaelic stadiums, or once again spread throughout the Home Unions and possbily France.

Derm McCrum

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Rowan" data-cid="555098" data-time="1454069740">
Almost everybody else here has been saying the 99 format was a shambles. I didn't think it was bad. Two very dramatic semis, and an historic win for Argentina over the Irish. Not the best World Cup ever, but far from the worst. 
Of course, what you're overlooking here is that France, England, Scotland and Ireland were all involved in hosting this event. No way Wales could have done it on its own. So, once again, I think we can be pretty sure that, if awarded the event, Ireland would follow that fine tradition of immediately doing an about-face on the single host nation pledge and ship a bunch of games across to Britain - & possibly France, depending on how the behind-the-scenes wheeling and dealing played out. 
So it really comes down to a 2nd World Cup in sunny, rugby-mad South Africa with its vast array of rugby-purpose stadia, or a 5th World Cup on the chilly, football-mad north-west tip of Europe, with games either crammed into Ireland's one major rugby venue and a bunch of creaky old converted Gaelic stadiums, or once again spread throughout the Home Unions and possbily France.</blockquote>
 
Rowan. When did you visit Ireland - where did you go and what time of year? 
Simple question.

JC

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Rowan" data-cid="555097" data-time="1454069622">
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So now we're down to personal anecdotes.
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And? My anecdotes are just as worthy of filling space here as your opinion. And at least they have the benefit of being based on experience, whereas yours is based on Google, ignorance and hot air.
 
And it wasn't just an anecdote. There was an insult in there that could be construed as being aimed at you. Do you want me to point it out so you can report it?

Rowan

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Pot Hale" data-cid="555103" data-time="1454081210">
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Rowan. When did you visit Ireland - where did you go and what time of year? 
Simple question.
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April 2000. Dublin. Stayed in the Times Hostel, I think it was. Very chilly, not much above zero, but no rain as I recall. It was just a weekend trip I was working just out of Douglas on the Isle of Man at the time.

Rowan

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="JC" data-cid="555104" data-time="1454083376">
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And? My anecdotes are just as worthy of filling space here as your opinion. And at least they have the benefit of being based on experience, whereas yours is based on Google, ignorance and hot air.
 
And it wasn't just an anecdote. There was an insult in there that could be construed as being aimed at you. Do you want me to point it out so you can report it?
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Well, my brother often goes on surfing trips to Durban and loves the place. A few of my friends have been there and done safari tours and all, and loved the place as well. None of them got shot or robbed or anything.

rotated

Another concern with hosting in South Africa is the current issue with pitch invaders with villainous intentions. I've only seen two pitch invaders make contact with players during a test and both were South African - the most recent being in this past RWC against Samoa. This is a clear trend which is googleable. I'm not sure we can even guarantee the safety of the players and officials on the paddock, let a lone off.

Rowan

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Catogrande" data-cid="555036" data-time="1454056389">
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Aaaaaargh! Fuck it. Memory is a bastard. And what's more I do need to check my maths. Sorry Rowan.
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No need to apologise. :)
 
Yes, France hosted as recently as 2007 and are probably only bidding this time to strengthen their case for 2027. I wouldn't be surprised at all if they ended up co-hosting with Italy. I only hope that Italy would be the senior partner in such a venture, though I suspect they would have to be the junior. Btw, previous Italian bids included the French city of Marseille among the proposed venues.
 
"Another concern with hosting in South Africa is the current issue with pitch invaders with villainous intentions. I've only seen two pitch invaders make contact with players during a test and both were South African - the most recent being in this past RWC against Samoa. This is a clear trend which is googleable. I'm not sure we can even guarantee the safety of the players and officials on the paddock, let a lone off."
 
 :mocking: Grasping at straws there, I think. That would easily be dealt with. & there have been plenty of pitch invasions elsewhere, including NZ:

Football cancellation in Europe because of terrorist threat: <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.irishnews.com/news/2015/11/17/news/football-match-cancelled-due-to-bomb-fears-326875/'>http://www.irishnews.com/news/2015/11/17/news/football-match-cancelled-due-to-bomb-fears-326875/</a>
Football cancellations in Ireland because of terrible weather: <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/35333560'>http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/35333560</a>

Derm McCrum

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Rowan" data-cid="555105" data-time="1454084902">
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April 2000. Dublin. Stayed in the Times Hostel, I think it was. Very chilly, not much above zero, but no rain as I recall. It was just a weekend trip I was working just out of Douglas on the Isle of Man at the time.
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Yep - it was the coolest April since 1989. Temps ranged from 8-15 in Dublin. And it would be fair to say that you have little or no personal experience of the country. 
 
South Africa and Ireland are both popular tourist destinations, as evidenced by their growing tourist numbers each year. Each has its own attractions. The size of cities and places is not really relevant in the context of Ireland - particularly when the plan is to spread the games around the country as opposed to all in one place. 
 
You have your view on the quality of the stadia in each country. Clearly South Africa has more of them. But it's not just about how many, it's also where they are located, facilities and resources around them, and ease of access for people moving around. 
 
The "creaking old stadiums" that you've referred to are listed in an earlier post of mine. Most of them have been or are currently being re-developed within the last ten years, simply because the demand and market is there for them. There is an inevitable amount of facilities upgrading to be done to number of them for media, catering, etc, but all entirely achievable, budgeted for, underwritten, and capable of being completed within time. I think you'll find that some of the stadia in South Africa are also "old", but they have had similar upgrades over the years.
 
In terms of capacity, the stadia used in England ranged from Sandy Park 12,300 to 5 stadia in the 30-40k capacity, 3 in the 50-53k range and 3 in the 70-90 range.
 
Ireland doesn't have the same spread clearly. However, Croke Park, which has been used Six Nations tournaments previously, would host opening and finals stage matches with Lansdowne Road taking some of the other big matches. There are a couple of other 50ks, 30-40ks, and 25ks. All of them suitable for use. The numbers have to stack up.
 
It's fair comment to say that Ireland could well turn around and say that they are going to use the Millennium stadium in Wales in order to drive up numbers. But the financial proposal submitted has to stack up on an all-island basis first with the resources and facilities that are here, not elsewhere. During the assessment and feasibility stages, partnerships with other nations, notably Scotland and Wales in a putative Celtic RWC bid, were considered and dropped. We'll have to wait and see what happens, but I know there is a strong determination that it will only be hosted in Ireland, and nowhere else, despite the inevitable vote-trading that happens around these bids. 
 
PS The European surfing championships have been regularly held in Ireland around Bundoran on North-West coast - best times being Sept-Dec. No one gets shot or robbed - or eaten by sharks even. :)

Rowan

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Pot Hale" data-cid="555110" data-time="1454088624">
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Yep - it was the coolest April since 1989. Temps ranged from 8-15 in Dublin. And it would be fair to say that you have little or no personal experience of the country. 
 
South Africa and Ireland are both popular tourist destinations, as evidenced by their growing tourist numbers each year. Each has its own attractions. The size of cities and places is not really relevant in the context of Ireland - particularly when the plan is to spread the games around the country as opposed to all in one place. 
 
You have your view on the quality of the stadia in each country. Clearly South Africa has more of them. But it's not just about how many, it's also where they are located, facilities and resources around them, and ease of access for people moving around. 
 
The "creaking old stadiums" that you've referred to are listed in an earlier post of mine. Most of them have been or are currently being re-developed within the last ten years, simply because the demand and market is there for them. There is an inevitable amount of facilities upgrading to be done to number of them for media, catering, etc, but all entirely achievable, budgeted for, underwritten, and capable of being completed within time. I think you'll find that some of the stadia in South Africa are also "old", but they have had similar upgrades over the years.
 
In terms of capacity, the stadia used in England ranged from Sandy Park 12,300 to 5 stadia in the 30-40k capacity, 3 in the 50-53k range and 3 in the 70-90 range.
 
Ireland doesn't have the same spread clearly. However, Croke Park, which has been used Six Nations tournaments previously, would host opening and finals stage matches with Lansdowne Road taking some of the other big matches. There are a couple of other 50ks, 30-40ks, and 25ks. All of them suitable for use. The numbers have to stack up.
 
It's fair comment to say that Ireland could well turn around and say that they are going to use the Millennium stadium in Wales in order to drive up numbers. But the financial proposal submitted has to stack up on an all-island basis first with the resources and facilities that are here, not elsewhere. During the assessment and feasibility stages, partnerships with other nations, notably Scotland and Wales in a putative Celtic RWC bid, were considered and dropped. We'll have to wait and see what happens, but I know there is a strong determination that it will only be hosted in Ireland, and nowhere else, despite the inevitable vote-trading that happens around these bids. 
 
PS The European surfing championships have been regularly held in Ireland around Bundoran on North-West coast - best times being Sept-Dec. No one gets shot or robbed - or eaten by sharks even. :)
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Coolest April since 89? Just my luck! But I have provided figures from the Irish meteorological servce which indicate both Dublin and Belfast are generally quite cool and wet in May as well.
 
Yes, my only point about the stadia is that South Africa has more - and much of it rugby-purpose. I'm not saying Ireland couldn't host it. They certainly could. But what kind of a tournament would it be? That's my main concern, and I've already expressed the reasons why, without going over it again. & even if we were to consider the bids entirely equal on merit, then it really comes down to whether World Rugby wants to rotate its tournament around the continents, or just send it back to France & the Home Unions on every second occasion. It comes down to whether South Africa should receive it again almost 30 years after doing such a fantastic job the first time, or whether the British Isles should be involved in hosting it for a 5th time, just 8 years after England - while Ireland would be involved for the third time. It comes down to whether it is staged in the world's 2nd largest rugby community, and a nation which has won two World Cups to date, or whether it is staged in the world's 7th largest rugby community, and a nation which has never made a World Cup semi-final.

taniwharugby

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Rowan" data-cid="555098" data-time="1454069740">Almost everybody else here has been saying the 99 format was a shambles. I didn't think it was bad.</blockquote> 
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Rowan" data-cid="555097" data-time="1454069622">So now we're down to personal anecdotes.</blockquote>

rotated

Out of interest Rowan what were your feelings about South Africa hosting the soccer world cup in 2010?

jegga

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="rotated" data-cid="555113" data-time="1454094413">
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Out of interest Rowan what were your feelings about South Africa hosting the soccer world cup in 2010?
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Imagine a rwc with crowds blowing zuluvulvas constantly? Awful

Rowan

<div> </div>
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"Almost everybody else here has been saying the 99 format was a shambles. I didn't think it was bad."
 
 
Yes, that was my opinion. I didn't give you a personal anecdote. That would've been to regale you with reminiscences of my trip to Cardiff for the 3rd-place playoff.
 
 
 
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="rotated" data-cid="555113" data-time="1454094413">
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Out of interest Rowan what were your feelings about South Africa hosting the soccer world cup in 2010?
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My opinion was that it was a successful tournament. Also, FIFA gave it a 9 out of 10, near-perfect, while analysts said this would help improve perceptions of Africa and help development throughout the continent as a whole. FIFA surveys suggested the tournament had "done wonders for South Africans' confidence and optimism. Author John Carlin, in 'Playing the Enemy,' rated it an even better tournament than the 1995 RWC, South African president Jacob Zuma described the event as "one of the greatest achievements of the post-apartheid era," and said the fans were the "true stars," uniting to show the world that the country and the continent were capable of hosting world class events. Nine major cities hosted the event in 10 superb stadiums which generally exceeded tournament requirements. Soccer City was subsequently named winner of 'Design and Construction' at the prestigious international Leaf Awards. Sepp Blatter described it as one of the most beautiful stadiums in the world. Durban's 'Surf City' was among the many hits with the touring fans. South Africa reaped major rewards from tourism during the event. Over a million visitors arrived during the first week of the tournament alone. The opening match set a record TV viewing audience for South Africa, while ratings were also particularly high in Europe, North and South America and China. Crime did not effect the tournament.

jegga

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Rowan" data-cid="555116" data-time="1454096085">
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<div> </div>
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"Almost everybody else here has been saying the 99 format was a shambles. I didn't think it was bad."
 
 
Yes, that was my opinion. I didn't give you a personal anecdote. That would've been to regale you with reminiscences of my trip to Cardiff for the 3rd-place playoff.
 
 
 
</div>
 
 
 
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</blockquote>
 
Have you managed to back up your claims about 2011 being considered by outsiders to be one of the worst ever yet?

taniwharugby

Personal anecdote about their experience vs their opinion...well normally the latter is driven by their experiences, so they are related.

jegga

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Rowan" data-cid="555109" data-time="1454086322">
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 Football cancellation in Europe because of terrorist threat: <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.irishnews.com/news/2015/11/17/news/football-match-cancelled-due-to-bomb-fears-326875/'>http://www.irishnews.com/news/2015/11/17/news/football-match-cancelled-due-to-bomb-fears-326875/</a>
Football cancellations in Ireland because of terrible weather: <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/35333560'>http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/35333560</a>
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You were derided on the t2 forum for using terrorism to score cheap points, fortunately I don't think anyone here can think less of you.
 
As to the second point.

rotated

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Rowan" data-cid="555116" data-time="1454096085">
<div>
My opinion was that it was a successful tournament. Also, FIFA gave it a 9 out of 10, near-perfect, while analysts said this would help improve perceptions of Africa and help development throughout the continent as a whole. FIFA surveys suggested the tournament had "done wonders for South Africans' confidence and optimism. Author John Carlin, in 'Playing the Enemy,' rated it an even better tournament than the 1995 RWC, South African president Jacob Zuma described the event as "one of the greatest achievements of the post-apartheid era," and said the fans were the "true stars," uniting to show the world that the country and the continent were capable of hosting world class events. Nine major cities hosted the event in 10 superb stadiums which generally exceeded tournament requirements. Soccer City was subsequently named winner of 'Design and Construction' at the prestigious international Leaf Awards. Sepp Blatter described it as one of the most beautiful stadiums in the world. Durban's 'Surf City' was among the many hits with the touring fans. South Africa reaped major rewards from tourism during the event. Over a million visitors arrived during the first week of the tournament alone. The opening match set a record TV viewing audience for South Africa, while ratings were also particularly high in Europe, North and South America and China. Crime did not effect the tournament.
 
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So with that said - how did you find South Africa's lack of previous success at the World Cup effected the tournament, specifically not qualifying for the 2006 edition? South Africa ranked 84th in the World heading into 2010, did this concern you as to whether the tournament would be a success or not? These seem to be key criteria for you when deciding if a tournament is successful or not.

jegga

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="rotated" data-cid="555123" data-time="1454098343">
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So with that said - how did you find South Africa's lack of previous success at the World Cup effected the tournament, specifically not qualifying for the 2006 edition? South Africa ranked 84th in the World heading into 2010, did this concern you as to whether the tournament would be a success or not? These seem to be key criteria for you when deciding if a tournament is successful or not.
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</blockquote>
 
Rowan?

The Silver Fern

2023 (expanded) World Cup in South Africa