Rugby World Cup general discussion
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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.
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94K views · 2K reactions | Great Scot! | "I've been on the lash for...
"I've been on the lash for five weeks!" Is this the greatest interview ever of the Rugby World Cup?
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@Bones said in Rugby World Cup general discussion:
@nostrildamus game of dodgeball I reckon. Played between the two 10m lines. You can kick, pass or throw.
Dance off, haka versus whatever flatley does is called
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@mikedogz said in Rugby World Cup general discussion:
"I've been on the lash for five weeks!" Is this the greatest interview ever of the Rugby World Cup?
This guy makes me proud of my Scottish heritage. What a legend.
“Win lose of draw I’m getting pished !”
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Up early on my way to the ski show in Birmingham
Still can’t believe yesterday’s action
Huge from NZ to beat Ireland, especially with 14 men for 60 mins
Ireland have had a tremendous Plan A for 17 matches straight but when it wasn’t good enough they had no Plan B
And our mob
I’m really disappointed
Argentina never gave up fair play, but we gift wrapped them that victory complete with a pretty bow at the end
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Into the knockout stages and here's my takes:
Minnows of yesteryear are cementing themselves up the pecking order - Fiji, Japan, Samoa & maybe Georgia etc. Maybe as a result of playing club rugby in the NH, the PI SR teams and regular Tests. Keep it up guys.
Todays minnows - Chile, Uruguay, Portugal need to follow the same path. It isn't all up to World Rugby, individual countries can help too. Send the AB XV or similar to tour these countries. It's a win-win for both countries. England could re-instate the Saxons etc.
Are we missing a trick with the teams exiting the Pool stages? A Plate competition to run mid-week in the knock-out stages would be fantastic for the smaller teams. I'd love to see more of the likes of Davit Niniashvili.
Refereeing is an absolute mess. Guidelines change from game to game, some Refs aren't up to it (I'm talking about you Carley) and the TMO has become too intrusive. The Georgian ref has been a revelation so make a point of widening the net.
With a few exceptions, players have respected the opposition and avoided soccer-style shit. Loved the spirit the England-Fiji games was played in today - heck, even Farrell was smiling.
The main arch-whiners thankfully left the competition early. Fuck off Eddie, you're a disgrace to the game. Sympathy to the players who have to put up with these fluffybunnies.
The crowds seem to have been fantastic and sporting. One of the most memorable scenes from the AB-Ireland game was the Irish & NZ supporters standing and applauding the opposition teams as they walked around the stadium. Class from all concerned.
Finally can we stop the ad break between the anthems/Haka and kick-off? Bloody annoying
What happens if a Rugby World Cup knockout game ends in draw?
