Rugby World Cup general discussion
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France, for me, but it will be Ireland
I like these articles
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby-world-cup-2023/300985347/by-the-numbers-the-story-of-the-rugby-world-cup-pool-stage -
@Machpants said in Rugby World Cup general discussion:
France, for me, but it will be Ireland
I like these articles
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby-world-cup-2023/300985347/by-the-numbers-the-story-of-the-rugby-world-cup-pool-stageSecond paragraph ffs
"It was a thrilling finale to what has otherwise been a fairly turgid month of international rugby with few surprises – and far too many blowouts."
Did he even watch the pool stages?
Best pool stage at any RWC. EVER
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@MiketheSnow good point, I didn't read the fluff just the interesting stats
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For me it would be:
France - because they are overdue and play some great rugby
Ireland - because they have consistently the best for the last year or two
England - because they are my team but are quite underserving
Wales - would be great for all my Taffy friends
Fiji - because, what story that would be
NZ/SA- because, sorry guys you've both won it enough.Edit: Oops forgot the Island Stealers. They'd be just below Fiji because they keep picking Lavanini.
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@NTA said in Rugby World Cup general discussion:
@Mr-Fish Write it into the contract that rights holders have to allow certain forms of social media sharing.
It isn't zero-sum.
In which case the broadcasters would argue they should pay less for the rights, because they've been eroded. The WC basically funds every single thing that WR does so decreasing the value of the rights would have a proportionately bigger impact on all the tier-two teams - and then everyone would complain that WR aren't giving them enough money.
Until the broadcasters come to the table and realise their rights are worth the same amount whether or not Joe Bloggs posts a tweet with a clip of the game on the internet, nothing is going to change.
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South Africa to me are still in pole position
I stuck $200@$6 on South African 4 months ago, still feeling relatively comfortable , do i want them to win ?,hell no i would glady give up my 2 hundy to see them knocked out but if they get past France , they will cruise into the final and win it.My 2nd favourite is Ireland , they are just bloody good and possibly have the best coaching staff.
France are next ,at home and like Ireland appear to be a team with very few weaknesses, getting past the Boks will be their challenge
All Blacks , who knows ?, what i do know is teams with so players playing out of position or that have’nt got settled combinations dont win RWCs.
Getting to a final would exceed expectations, winning the RWC would the biggest All Black Triumph at RWC’s .If we dont win it ,hopefully France as i know plenty of the French also support the All Blacks.
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Sorry haven't read the last couple hundred posts so may have been discussed.
Facebook is fucking chocka with people posting about how WR should do X/Y/Z for Fiji, Tonga and Samoa.
Yet to see one measley post saying anything about what the actual unions themselves should do. Are they doing anything?
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@NTA said in Rugby World Cup general discussion:
Controversial opinion: I want RSA and NZL knocked out this weekend so someone new gets a chance at it.
Ireland v France final guarantees a new holder. Even though I fucking hate Sexton's sookface they'd deserve it as #1.
look...i can understand this...and an ireland france final would be quite a the sight
but also
@voodoo said in Rugby World Cup general discussion:
@NTA said in Rugby World Cup general discussion:
Controversial opinion: I want RSA and NZL knocked out this weekend so someone new gets a chance at it.
Ireland v France final guarantees a new holder. Even though I fucking hate Sexton's sookface they'd deserve it as #1.
fucking ban this muthafucka
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@NTA said in Rugby World Cup general discussion:
@nostrildamus said in Rugby World Cup general discussion:
Don't the PIs have problems with finding, retaining, and sufficiently preparing players? Or is that less of a major concern this time?
Not as big a concern as previous RWC cycles but man something isn't right with how they're approaching it.
Perhaps we need to get a Pacific 6N going to help everyone out. Naturally enough NZ would dominate this competition:
Japan
Samoa
Tonga
Fiji
Australia
NZI just don't see any alternative to helping the PIs get more games, and more games against Tier 1 opposition.
Foreign clubs will continue to hamper their chances tho, putting in clauses about injury while on international duties.
see...this is where i think rugby is going wrong...looking at the top level to fix everything, its like looking at the roof and not the foundations when trying to work out why the house is leaning
i think what is happening with the drua is the right way forward...the international game will be the result, not the method
make Moana Pasifika a samoan/tongan team based in the islands looking to split one day
get japan with a couple of clubs playing back in some pacific comp but connected to the domestic comp so there is flow through
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@Kiwiwomble That, and even if it would benefit the PI's and Japan, it would not be good for NZ (and Australia, assuming their current dip is temporary). To get better, you need to play against better teams and teams with a different playing style. This format would make us only play weaker teams and also teams with a similar style of running rugby. I'd rather continue playing against the Saffas (and Argies) and play two tests against tier 2 teams per year (including at least 1 PI team).
The planned World Rugby Nations Championship, or whatever name they're going to give to their "elite" competition, will probably make any change impossible, anyway. It seems they're dead-set on adding Japan to the SH side of the competition, despite the limited progress they've made the last few years and not being a SH nation. That would leave only one other spot, which - on merit - should go to Fiji. The other tier 2 teams will be left in the cold again, because there won't be enough time left on the calendar for matches between tier 1 and tier 2 teams.
I think the ABs XV and Māori ABs can also be used to play tier 2 teams, not just the PIs, but also Portugal, Spain, Uruguay and Chile, for example.
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@Kiwiwomble I didn't say test Rugby would be the only part of the solution. ore exposure against top teams at test level is required though
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@NTA said in Rugby World Cup general discussion:
@Kiwiwomble I didn't say test Rugby would be the only part of the solution. ore exposure against top teams at test level is required though
fair call, apologies, your post was just the one that i replied too to answer lots of stuff i see around that seems to only focus on more international games but thats not fair to you
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@canefan said in Rugby World Cup general discussion:
May have already been said, the loss of the Saffas to SR was huge. Even though at times they weren't great, they offered a style of rugby that helped us when it came to test level
We miss you too
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I'm wondering if there could be a better way to resolve a draw, this seems a bit pedestrian and soccer-like to me but I'm stumped for a better option so just hope it won't happen on Saturday
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@nostrildamus game of dodgeball I reckon. Played between the two 10m lines. You can kick, pass or throw.