Chances of Winning the WC 2023
-
@Nepia said in Chances of Winning the WC 2023:
We're going to win. We're clearly employing a rope a dope strategy.
Well there is certainly plenty of rope and even more dope.
-
Despite our current form…id give us a decent chance to get to the semifinal at least: we generally go OK vs SA in the RWC…Ireland have to break their ¼ final curse and they will be under tremendous pressure to do so. Im also not entirely writing Scotland off from that pool. Looking at the draw, if we reach semi final its one of wales, Aussie, eng or Argentina/Japan. Which are also winnable. Tbh we are blessed to have France in our pool.
-
Not being very good hasn't stopped a few teams winning RWCs in the past, so, a starters chance.
I actually think struggling for a few years, having some tight games, feeling the burn of losing is actually quite a reasonable prep. If they had made a coach change after the Ireland series, I would put us in a good(promising) place. A limited team, with a good cohesion, well coached, who know how to navigate tight games ... sounds like reasonable potential winning formula.
But, they haven't made the (coaching) change in time. No real clear approach, no confidence in coach. Still playing with a game plan like they believe they have the players that still fit a "we are the most dominant team in history" approach etc.
In summary; limited talent (but that is relative), stale coach and tactics, haven't adapted to the opposition or their own limitations. So, nothing much more than a starter's chance. Not getting the 'rebirth after the chaos' vibes of 1995 or 1999, or 2003, which is a shame, as they were exciting times even if eventually unsuccessful.
-
To build on above.
You don't win RWCs with kids.
So, I don't want the coach staying and revitalising his flagging team in his 4th year (RWC year) with a shedload of fresh stars of the future. a.k.a
the response of Hart and Mains to holes they'd dug themselves in 1995 and 1999. (Although I'd say Mains/1995 was more the unexpected arrival/almost maturation of crop of world class talent - many of whom were in positions we were also coincidentally lacking in the starting XV, so I forgive him, that was worth a punt)I want a new coach revitalise the current playing squad , relatively limited , but decent enough experienced playing pool - into a cohesive well coached team who have a plan (beyond spinning it wide,,, feeding off turnovers etc) to win tight tests (because the won't be good enough to blow people off the park).
-
@Rapido said in Chances of Winning the WC 2023:
To build on above.
You don't win RWCs with kids.
So, I don't want the coach staying and revitalising his flagging team in his 4th year (RWC year) with a shedload of fresh stars of the future. a.k.a 1995 and 1999.
I want a new coach revitalise the current playing squad , relatively limited , but decent enough experienced playing pool - into a cohesive well coached team who have a plan (beyond spinning it wide,,, feeding off turnovers etc) to win tight tests (because the won't be good enough to blow people off the park).
In the words of the Rolling Stones, You can't always get what you want. We aren't even going to get what we need. Where is RWC 27?
-
@canefan said in Chances of Winning the WC 2023:
@Rapido said in Chances of Winning the WC 2023:
To build on above.
You don't win RWCs with kids.
So, I don't want the coach staying and revitalising his flagging team in his 4th year (RWC year) with a shedload of fresh stars of the future. a.k.a 1995 and 1999.
I want a new coach revitalise the current playing squad , relatively limited , but decent enough experienced playing pool - into a cohesive well coached team who have a plan (beyond spinning it wide,,, feeding off turnovers etc) to win tight tests (because the won't be good enough to blow people off the park).
In the words of the Rolling Stones, You can't always get what you want. We aren't even going to get what we need. Where is RWC 27?
Yes but even the Stones didn't write:
"You can't always get what you want.
But if you try sometimes, well, you might find
Sometimes you get what you need.
Ian Foster since 2011.
Learnings, they're burnings" -
Looking at Fosters current form, out in the quarters, probably to South Africa.
Looking at Fozzies historical form, start poorly against France, look average until quarters, beat South Africa, beat Australia in the semis (France beat England in the other semi), France in the final with the team in the form of their lives. France put 50 on us.
-
We have a chance now. We have a tight 5.
The rest is icing
Might buy some tickets
