Womens RWC 2021 -NZ to host
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@Bovidae You're right, but I'd rather see England and France battle it out for a spot in a Final against NZ, than NZ having to play France in the semis! All based on last year's test results, obviously. Only if Smith and co. can lift the BFs to their pre-covid levels (or close), they may have chance against France.
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@Bovidae said in Womens RWC 2021 -NZ to host:
Having two teams from the same pool meet in the SFs isn't ideal in a tournament with only 12 teams.
But remember that Eng play France in the pool so it’s quite possible that means England or France don’t get seed one as their points difference (or whichever) could be down compared to other teams.
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@Crucial First four seedings are likely to be (in the absence of surprises):
1 England, 2. New Zealand, 3. Canada, 4. France,
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1 New Zealand, 2. England, 3. Canada, 4. France
or
1 New Zeland, 2. Canada, 3. England, 4. FranceSouth Africa and Fiji will have to be very afraid, because the loser of England v France (most likely France) is going to butcher them both to claim 4th spot.
If you think about it, neither England and NZ would want to finish 1st (if SF1 = QF1 v QF4 etc)
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@Stargazer I agree from NZ's perspective if England plays France in one SF, great, so the BFs avoid having to play both.
@Crucial Yes, points differential will be important to determine the 4th to 8th seeds, but you would still expect the loser of England/France to win their QF. The key will be where the teams fall for their QF matchups as that determines the SFs.
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@Stargazer said in Womens RWC 2021 -NZ to host:
@Crucial First four seedings are likely to be (in the absence of surprises):
1 England, 2. New Zealand, 3. Canada, 4. France,
or
1 New Zealand, 2. England, 3. Canada, 4. France
or
1 New Zeland, 2. Canada, 3. England, 4. FranceSouth Africa and Fiji will have to be very afraid, because the loser of England v France (most likely France) is going to butcher them both to claim 4th spot.
If you think about it, neither England and NZ would want to finish 1st (if SF1 = QF1 v QF4 etc)
That’s what I was getting at. Finishing top seed could result in the hardest semi
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@Crucial said in Womens RWC 2021 -NZ to host:
@Stargazer said in Womens RWC 2021 -NZ to host:
@Crucial First four seedings are likely to be (in the absence of surprises):
1 England, 2. New Zealand, 3. Canada, 4. France,
or
1 New Zealand, 2. England, 3. Canada, 4. France
or
1 New Zeland, 2. Canada, 3. England, 4. FranceSouth Africa and Fiji will have to be very afraid, because the loser of England v France (most likely France) is going to butcher them both to claim 4th spot.
If you think about it, neither England and NZ would want to finish 1st (if SF1 = QF1 v QF4 etc)
That’s what I was getting at. Finishing top seed could result in the hardest semi
No way England are going to be anything but top seed
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@Machpants said in Womens RWC 2021 -NZ to host:
@Crucial said in Womens RWC 2021 -NZ to host:
@Stargazer said in Womens RWC 2021 -NZ to host:
@Crucial First four seedings are likely to be (in the absence of surprises):
1 England, 2. New Zealand, 3. Canada, 4. France,
or
1 New Zealand, 2. England, 3. Canada, 4. France
or
1 New Zeland, 2. Canada, 3. England, 4. FranceSouth Africa and Fiji will have to be very afraid, because the loser of England v France (most likely France) is going to butcher them both to claim 4th spot.
If you think about it, neither England and NZ would want to finish 1st (if SF1 = QF1 v QF4 etc)
That’s what I was getting at. Finishing top seed could result in the hardest semi
No way England are going to be anything but top seed
I’m not so sure. I am assuming that points difference will be the separation and England have a much tougher pool that may have closer scores. They will top their pool but will they rack up as big a score along the way as say NZ v Europe qualifier?
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@Crucial said in Womens RWC 2021 -NZ to host:
@Machpants said in Womens RWC 2021 -NZ to host:
@Crucial said in Womens RWC 2021 -NZ to host:
@Stargazer said in Womens RWC 2021 -NZ to host:
@Crucial First four seedings are likely to be (in the absence of surprises):
1 England, 2. New Zealand, 3. Canada, 4. France,
or
1 New Zealand, 2. England, 3. Canada, 4. France
or
1 New Zeland, 2. Canada, 3. England, 4. FranceSouth Africa and Fiji will have to be very afraid, because the loser of England v France (most likely France) is going to butcher them both to claim 4th spot.
If you think about it, neither England and NZ would want to finish 1st (if SF1 = QF1 v QF4 etc)
That’s what I was getting at. Finishing top seed could result in the hardest semi
No way England are going to be anything but top seed
I’m not so sure. I am assuming that points difference will be the separation and England have a much tougher pool that may have closer scores. They will top their pool but will they rack up as big a score along the way as say NZ v Europe qualifier?
Yes, yes they will. Will do well, but even with harder pool, I think they will top out
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@Stargazer said in Womens RWC 2021 -NZ to host:
@Crucial The only relatively tough game for England is against France. South Africa is one of the weakest participating nations. Fijiana are up-and-comers, but won't offer much resistance yet, either.
Might come down to the scores NZ v Aus compared to Eng v Fra
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The improvement in the All Black Ferns is impressive. I still wonder if it's enough to address the advantages the NH powerhouses have demonstrated.
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@Bovidae said in Womens RWC 2021 -NZ to host:
The BFs could be like the Blues in the SRP final. Rock stars in the backline but the forwards need to get them some ball. We need to spend a lot of time practising to legally defend mauls.
Hirini has to be the no.7 in the top XV.
I’m not sure if Hirini’s hat is in the ring. Les Elder is apparently due to return to the mix though.
As far as the mauls go they have already been working hard on that and repelled a few during this series. -
@Crucial said in Womens RWC 2021 -NZ to host:
I’m not sure if Hirini’s hat is in the ring. Les Elder is apparently due to return to the mix though.
I know Elder was the captain but she lacks size at the top level. Hirini to me would be the perfect no.7 to combat England and France. I thought that she, along with some of the other sevens players, were also keen to be involved after playing in the last RWC.
I'm also a big fan of Simon. She runs hard and tackles harder. Some good loosies will miss out in the final squad.
As far as the mauls go they have already been working hard on that and repelled a few during this series.
On the brief highlights I saw against Canada they have improved but still have some way to go, and conceded a YC defending one. England will be much more efficient there. Practising defending mauls against a 1st XV wouldn't be a bad idea.
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Early predictions:
Pool A: NZ to cruise through. Second place will be a bun fight between Australia, Wales, and Scotland.
Pool B: Canada and USA to advance fairly comfortably. Italy v Japan will be interesting.
Pool
England and France who will probably be the finalists based on their recent form.The 2 other spots are a crapshoot and might come down to the weather on the day of certain matches.
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@NTA said in Womens RWC 2021 -NZ to host:
Early predictions:
Pool A: NZ to cruise through. Second place will be a bun fight between Australia, Wales, and Scotland.
Pool B: Canada and USA to advance fairly comfortably. Italy v Japan will be interesting.
Pool England and France who will probably be the finalists based on their recent form.The 2 other spots are a crapshoot and might come down to the weather on the day of certain matches.
I'd take that a little further
Seedings after Pool play- England/NZ (dependant on PD)
- England/NZ as above
- Canada
- France
- Aus
- USA
- Fiji/Wales
- Fiji/Wales
Top four seeds to win quarters comfortably.
Eng/NZ v France
Eng/NZ v CanadaEng v NZ Final
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@Stargazer said in Womens RWC 2021 -NZ to host:
@Crucial The most uncertain part of that scenario is whether the Black Ferns have improved enough to beat France. I hope they have.
Hopefully England have to play them in the semi.
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So after the conclusion of the Pacific Four Series the rankings have changed. Canada drops below France, which is more reflective of the relative strengths of both teams. Canada being ranked 3rd when the draw was made has given us England and France in the same pool. Australia drops down and the USA rises. England are still way out in front.
