Rugby World Cup general discussion
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@MN5 said in Rugby World Cup general discussion:
@MiketheSnow said in Rugby World Cup general discussion:
@mariner4life said in Rugby World Cup general discussion:
We would need something pretty sensational to happen this week to elevate this Group stage above "meh"
With the top 4 sides in two pool, AND the same side of the draw, we were treated to big games with nothing significant riding on the result.
On the other side we've had the Wallabies absolutely shit the bed, otherwise it's been very ho hum.Couple of pretty fun games of footy, but in the end a set of quarter finals that end up being very predictable.
The knockout stages of the RWC are very much like an historical account of the sinking of the Titanic, more often than not written from the perspective of the usual protagonists but every once in a while written from the perspective of a minor character who just happened to be on board
The narrative that one side of the draw is severely compromised whilst the other half is sipping pastis on the Côte d’Azur is getting tiresome
If Scotland were that good they would have made the QF in 2019 and come away with at least 1 try against SA this time
2019 RWC QF
England v Australia
NZ v Ireland
Wales v France
Japan v SAThis time it should be
England v Fiji
NZ v Ireland
Wales v Argentina / Japan
France v SASo 6 of the 2019 Quarter Finalists, if not 7 (if Japan beat Argentina)
The Pool stages have been fascinating IMHO
Permutations galore
And it isn’t finished yetBest RWC to this stage for me
And we could end up with same 4 Semi Finalists as 2019 or a big shake up and four different ones, including first SF for Fiji and Japan
No it’s not.
1st, 2nd and 5th in the same pool is ridiculous.
When Scotland get pumped by Ireland the realisation will finally sink in that places 5-10 are very interchangeable on any given day
And if Ireland and SA meet again in the Final, then having 1 & 2 in the same Pool is a good way to see them play each other for the Cup
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@MN5 said in Rugby World Cup general discussion:
@MiketheSnow said in Rugby World Cup general discussion:
@mariner4life said in Rugby World Cup general discussion:
We would need something pretty sensational to happen this week to elevate this Group stage above "meh"
With the top 4 sides in two pool, AND the same side of the draw, we were treated to big games with nothing significant riding on the result.
On the other side we've had the Wallabies absolutely shit the bed, otherwise it's been very ho hum.Couple of pretty fun games of footy, but in the end a set of quarter finals that end up being very predictable.
The knockout stages of the RWC are very much like an historical account of the sinking of the Titanic, more often than not written from the perspective of the usual protagonists but every once in a while written from the perspective of a minor character who just happened to be on board
The narrative that one side of the draw is severely compromised whilst the other half is sipping pastis on the Côte d’Azur is getting tiresome
If Scotland were that good they would have made the QF in 2019 and come away with at least 1 try against SA this time
2019 RWC QF
England v Australia
NZ v Ireland
Wales v France
Japan v SAThis time it should be
England v Fiji
NZ v Ireland
Wales v Argentina / Japan
France v SASo 6 of the 2019 Quarter Finalists, if not 7 (if Japan beat Argentina)
The Pool stages have been fascinating IMHO
Permutations galore
And it isn’t finished yetBest RWC to this stage for me
And we could end up with same 4 Semi Finalists as 2019 or a big shake up and four different ones, including first SF for Fiji and Japan
No it’s not.
1st, 2nd and 5th in the same pool is ridiculous.
It's not ridiculous but it is unfortunate. The organisers have to balance trying to have some form of up to date seedings in the groups with the logistics of where the different teams will play, where they will be based and the planning of who each team will be playing. Doing it too far in advance and you have the potential for the current situation, do it too near the event and you have the potential for chaos. FWIW I don't think they have got it quite right but also feel that whatever they do there will be some issues.
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@mariner4life said in Rugby World Cup general discussion:
We would need something pretty sensational to happen this week to elevate this Group stage above "meh"
With the top 4 sides in two pool, AND the same side of the draw, we were treated to big games with nothing significant riding on the result.
On the other side we've had the Wallabies absolutely shit the bed, otherwise it's been very ho hum.Couple of pretty fun games of footy, but in the end a set of quarter finals that end up being very predictable.
My main memories will be
Ire vs SA
Fiji vs Wales
Any of Portugal’s gamesThe rest. Meh.
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@Billy-Tell said in Rugby World Cup general discussion:
@mariner4life said in Rugby World Cup general discussion:
We would need something pretty sensational to happen this week to elevate this Group stage above "meh"
With the top 4 sides in two pool, AND the same side of the draw, we were treated to big games with nothing significant riding on the result.
On the other side we've had the Wallabies absolutely shit the bed, otherwise it's been very ho hum.Couple of pretty fun games of footy, but in the end a set of quarter finals that end up being very predictable.
My main memories will be
Ire vs SA
Fiji vs Wales
Any of Portugal’s gamesThe rest. Meh.
Sheesh you guys are tough markers.
The bye weeks/lack of midweek games have dragged things out. But that was a legitimate response to a real concern. It probably helped the minnows’ squads hold out and improved their collective showing.
But apart from that this has been a solid competition.
Opener was pretty good. Then the English Argie game was a fascinating hobo fight, one old dypso suddenly remembering that jabs are a thing and keeping his balance long enough to land a few. The good guys putting the Scots back in their box. And especially Fiji rooting the Welsh. Not sure there’s been a better first weekend.
Second weekend was a bit average but we still got Fiji rooting Eddie’s snatch grabbers.
Then we had the Irish winning their final and the Welsh dumping the Walleddies out the comp.
And in the background there have been two cool subplots - tier two teams playing their hearts out while also using their heads; and 3rd ranked teams like the Scots, Japanese, Italians and Wobblies trying to stay in touch.
That first subplot has seen Chile, Uruguay and Portugal using guile and skill to exploit space backed by smart defence. The islanders on the other hand have jacked up their first phase and tactical games.
That’s seen them all keep games in the balance a lot longer than we’ve seen in other RWCs. It also has Fiji through to the quarters having got revenge for the travesty of their 2019 opener against those jammy shackledraggers. As a side note, the real victim of the early (probably rigged) seeding is Tonga. Put them in Pool D and I reckon they’d have been a solid chance of making the QFs. Given their admin issues they should hold their heads high.
The second subplot has delivered a final round with real meaning to some big games, with 3 pools riding on the results of the games. Japan Argies could be a banger. The Italians have a chance to upset the apple cart and the Scots have their destiny (and the Boks’) in their own hands.
Upset in any one of those games and this comp really comes alive. Unless it’s an upset that dumps the boks out. Then this RWC will be shit.
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@Smuts said in Rugby World Cup general discussion:
@Billy-Tell said in Rugby World Cup general discussion:
@mariner4life said in Rugby World Cup general discussion:
We would need something pretty sensational to happen this week to elevate this Group stage above "meh"
With the top 4 sides in two pool, AND the same side of the draw, we were treated to big games with nothing significant riding on the result.
On the other side we've had the Wallabies absolutely shit the bed, otherwise it's been very ho hum.Couple of pretty fun games of footy, but in the end a set of quarter finals that end up being very predictable.
My main memories will be
Ire vs SA
Fiji vs Wales
Any of Portugal’s gamesThe rest. Meh.
Sheesh you guys are tough markers.
The bye weeks/lack of midweek games have dragged things out. But that was a legitimate response to a real concern. It probably helped the minnows’ squads hold out and improved their collective showing.
But apart from that this has been a solid competition.
Opener was pretty good. Then the English Argie game was a fascinating hobo fight, one old dypso suddenly remembering that jabs are a thing and keeping his balance long enough to land a few. The good guys putting the Scots back in their box. And especially Fiji rooting the Welsh. Not sure there’s been a better first weekend.
Second weekend was a bit average but we still got Fiji rooting Eddie’s snatch grabbers.
Then we had the Irish winning their final and the Welsh dumping the Walleddies out the comp.
And in the background there have been two cool subplots - tier two teams playing their hearts out while also using their heads; and 3rd ranked teams like the Scots, Japanese, Italians and Wobblies trying to stay in touch.
That first subplot has seen Chile, Uruguay and Portugal using guile and skill to exploit space backed by smart defence. The islanders on the other hand have jacked up their first phase and tactical games.
That’s seen them all keep games in the balance a lot longer than we’ve seen in other RWCs. It also has Fiji through to the quarters having got revenge for the travesty of their 2019 opener against those jammy shackledraggers. As a side note, the real victim of the early (probably rigged) seeding is Tonga. Put them in Pool D and I reckon they’d have been a solid chance of making the QFs. Given their admin issues they should hold their heads high.
The second subplot has delivered a final round with real meaning to some big games, with 3 pools riding on the results of the games. Japan Argies could be a banger. The Italians have a chance to upset the apple cart and the Scots have their destiny (and the Boks’) in their own hands.
Upset in any one of those games and this comp really comes alive. Unless it’s an upset that dumps the boks out. Then this RWC will be shit.
Could not have said it better
And with more consistent officiating we may have had a few more upsets
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I've probably enjoyed more pool games in this World Cup than all of the others. And NZ Italy aside, I've not had a single iota of alcohol for any of the matches.
There has been some utter dross, with many a pundit trying to big them up, but we've had some really high quality matches.
NZ vs France was one hell of an opener
Wales vs Fiji was superb
Eng vs Argentina was a superb in a completely different way
Ireland vs South Africa was incredibly intense for a pool game (I'm one of the very few who don't wax lyrical about this as a rugby spectacle)
Australia vs Fiji was the best game so far
Wales vs Australia / NZ vs Italy were great watches as one sided drubbings.And we've still got a Ireland Scotland & England Japan to go. As pool matches go, that's seven beauties with 2 strong matches yet to be played.
Off to Lyon in the morning to soak up some atmosphere, looking forward to seeing what it's like on the ground!
Most definitely surprised to the upside on this tournament so far.
Oh, and the draw is shit. 1,2,3,4 due to face each other in the qf's removes any argument against that whatsoever.
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With all the complaining about the unfairness of the draw, its interesting that at the start of the 2015 World Cup, there was ONE GROUP with the 2nd, 4th and 5th ranked teams in the world….Australia, England and Wales…who happen to be on the easier side of the draw this year.
One of whom (England) was the host, and who didn’t make the QF
I don’t remember Scotland giving two shits then
I guess what goes around comes around.
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@MiketheSnow said in Rugby World Cup general discussion:
@MN5 said in Rugby World Cup general discussion:
@MiketheSnow said in Rugby World Cup general discussion:
@mariner4life said in Rugby World Cup general discussion:
We would need something pretty sensational to happen this week to elevate this Group stage above "meh"
With the top 4 sides in two pool, AND the same side of the draw, we were treated to big games with nothing significant riding on the result.
On the other side we've had the Wallabies absolutely shit the bed, otherwise it's been very ho hum.Couple of pretty fun games of footy, but in the end a set of quarter finals that end up being very predictable.
The knockout stages of the RWC are very much like an historical account of the sinking of the Titanic, more often than not written from the perspective of the usual protagonists but every once in a while written from the perspective of a minor character who just happened to be on board
The narrative that one side of the draw is severely compromised whilst the other half is sipping pastis on the Côte d’Azur is getting tiresome
If Scotland were that good they would have made the QF in 2019 and come away with at least 1 try against SA this time
2019 RWC QF
England v Australia
NZ v Ireland
Wales v France
Japan v SAThis time it should be
England v Fiji
NZ v Ireland
Wales v Argentina / Japan
France v SASo 6 of the 2019 Quarter Finalists, if not 7 (if Japan beat Argentina)
The Pool stages have been fascinating IMHO
Permutations galore
And it isn’t finished yetBest RWC to this stage for me
And we could end up with same 4 Semi Finalists as 2019 or a big shake up and four different ones, including first SF for Fiji and Japan
No it’s not.
1st, 2nd and 5th in the same pool is ridiculous.
When Scotland get pumped by Ireland the realisation will finally sink in that places 5-10 are very interchangeable on any given day
And if Ireland and SA meet again in the Final, then having 1 & 2 in the same Pool is a good way to see them play each other for the Cup
They won’t get pumped, at worst it will be soundly beaten.
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This world cup has been bloody good.
Am more nervous about the quarter final than any match in the last decade.
Hoping like hell that we can win this and give Whitelock and Smith a decent send off.
Not happy about the legacy destruction over the last 5 years primarily due to disorganisation.
Onward and upward. -
@Catogrande said in Rugby World Cup general discussion:
It's not ridiculous but it is unfortunate. The organisers have to balance trying to have some form of up to date seedings in the groups with the logistics of where the different teams will play, where they will be based and the planning of who each team will be playing. Doing it too far in advance and you have the potential for the current situation, do it too near the event and you have the potential for chaos. FWIW I don't think they have got it quite right but also feel that whatever they do there will be some issues.
I think that's a cop-out by WR to say teams/fans need to know where they are playing so far in advance. For Qatar 2022, FIFA did their draw and seedings only 7 months before the WC and they have more teams/fans/media etc. By WR doing this so early implies they lack the organisational and logistical skills.
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You’ll be happy that it’s changing for the next world up
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@MiketheSnow said in Rugby World Cup general discussion:
unfairness
Again, am not sure anyone is saying the draw is "unfair". It is however unbalanced and stupid.
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@booboo said in Rugby World Cup general discussion:
@MiketheSnow said in Rugby World Cup general discussion:
unfairness
Again, am not sure anyone is saying the draw is "unfair". It is however unbalanced and stupid.
The Scots as a nation love a good whinge. Usually about the weather, the food, the English, the cost of things or the English.
But this WC has given them some genuine reasons to gripe in my opinion.
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2019 Did not get out of pool
2020, 21, 22 6N 4th
2023 6N 3rdNot exactly setting the world on fire
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@MiketheSnow said in Rugby World Cup general discussion:
2019 Did not get out of pool
2020, 21, 22 6N 4th
2023 6N 3rdNot exactly setting the world on fire
If these stats continue as they are they’ll be first in 2025.
They’re a team on the rise. Face facts.
( ok, if I’m being honest the 5th place in the rankings does seem possibly a tiny bit generous )
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@Bovidae said in Rugby World Cup general discussion:
@Catogrande said in Rugby World Cup general discussion:
It's not ridiculous but it is unfortunate. The organisers have to balance trying to have some form of up to date seedings in the groups with the logistics of where the different teams will play, where they will be based and the planning of who each team will be playing. Doing it too far in advance and you have the potential for the current situation, do it too near the event and you have the potential for chaos. FWIW I don't think they have got it quite right but also feel that whatever they do there will be some issues.
I think that's a cop-out by WR to say teams/fans need to know where they are playing so far in advance. For Qatar 2022, FIFA did their draw and seedings only 7 months before the WC and they have more teams/fans/media etc. By WR doing this so early implies they lack the organisational and logistical skills.
Well, that wasn’t WR saying that, it was me😀
But to counter your point, soccer and rugby have some significant differences when looking at putting on a tournament.
Turnaround time for a contact sport is/should be very different than for a contact sport. Generally there are many more available and suitable soccer stadiums than rugby stadiums and those are usually more geographically diverse. Also the wear and tear on a rugby pitch is much heavier than on a soccer pitch. Lastly, the facilities for preparing and maintaining a soccer pitch at usually much better than rugby ‘cos money.
But as I said, I’m not saying they got it right, but it’s nit that cut and dried either.
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@Bovidae said in Rugby World Cup general discussion:
@Catogrande said in Rugby World Cup general discussion:
It's not ridiculous but it is unfortunate. The organisers have to balance trying to have some form of up to date seedings in the groups with the logistics of where the different teams will play, where they will be based and the planning of who each team will be playing. Doing it too far in advance and you have the potential for the current situation, do it too near the event and you have the potential for chaos. FWIW I don't think they have got it quite right but also feel that whatever they do there will be some issues.
I think that's a cop-out by WR to say teams/fans need to know where they are playing so far in advance. For Qatar 2022, FIFA did their draw and seedings only 7 months before the WC and they have more teams/fans/media etc. By WR doing this so early implies they lack the organisational and logistical skills.
.....thats because all the venues were within a couple of hours drive of each other and everyone stayed in Doha or surrounds...thats a bit different that venues spread hundreds of km apart where people have to plan accomodation and transport...dont get me wrong, this was done too early...but i think thats not a great comparison
we've also had more change in the rankings over the last few years than ever before and so harder to predict this would be the result, i dont imagine we'll see the likes again
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I was only using the last FIFA WC as an example. Even accounting for the differences in resources between rugby and football, they use the seedings and have the draw much closer to the tournament regardless of where it is held.
For Russia 2018 the draw was in Dec 2017 using seedings from Oct 2017, and the tournament started in June 2018.
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Lack of midweek games is shit.
But the biggest crime is the lack of media sharing allowed by the various governing bodies. Wayne Barnes tries to share a nice moment and shit goes down.
https://x.com/garethreynolds/status/1709519765306237307?s=20
