2023 (expanded) World Cup in South Africa

Derm McCrum

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Disgusted of TW" data-cid="554965" data-time="1454029751">
This place is too small to host this discussion. Next time we do this can it be held in a bigger forum, with bigger newer and better maintained threads?</blockquote>Ok one more. 
25 Nov 2015 
Tourism Ireland welcomes exceptional +13% growth in overseas visitors for January-October 2015 
On track for record year for Irish tourism as Tourism Ireland prepares for 2016 
â€œTodayâ€s figures indicate that 2015 is set to be a record year for Irish tourism, with more than 7.4 million people arriving during the January to October period â€“ an increase of almost +13%, or an additional 842,300 overseas visitors, when compared to 2014. 
Source: Tourism Ireland 
Obviously they didn't come for the weather. And obviously, there was nothing happening in the UK in Sept/Oct which is how figures must have increased last year. 
Then there's this: 
Ireland awarded 2017 Women's Rugby World Cup 
England will get the chance to defend their Women's Rugby World Cup in Ireland in 2017. 
Ireland's hopes of hosting the Rugby World Cup for the first time in 2023 were boosted on Wednesday (Thursday NZT) when it received the 2017 women's tournament. 
In May that year, the winner of the 2023 RWC hosting rights will be revealed. 
To be trusted with the Women's Rugby World Cup will go a long way to helping Ireland beat off 2023 rival bidders South Africa and Italy. Source: Stuff 
Incompetence all round really.

taniwharugby

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Rowan" data-cid="554976" data-time="1454030311">
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I'd have to disagree with you there. Take Samoa last year as an example. Their mediocre showing at the RWC was entirely attributable to the failings of the national administraton - headed by an overbearing PM who has ridiculed and alienated many of the leading players. Have you heard any complaints from South African players about their admin lately?
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If you think everything about SA Rugby is competent, then good for you, I suggest you go visit Keo.

jegga

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="554979" data-time="1454030935">
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If you think everything about SA Rugby is competent, then good for you, I suggest you go visit Keo.
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I'm not sure what you're talking about, SARU let Meyer pick at least half of the team.

Smudge

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Disgusted of TW" data-cid="554965" data-time="1454029751">
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This place is too small to host this discussion. Next time we do this can it be held in a bigger forum, with bigger newer and better maintained threads?
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I'd like to hark back to the halcyon days of the Fern - circa 1999 - when the forum was at its rudimentary best.

taniwharugby

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Smudge" data-cid="554982" data-time="1454031392">
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I'd like to hark back to the halcyon days of the Fern - circa 1999 - when the forum was at its rudimentary best. 
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haha, can you imagine what threads like this would be like on that old format!

jegga

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Smudge" data-cid="554982" data-time="1454031392">I'd like to hark back to the halcyon days of the Fern - circa 1999 - when the forum was at its rudimentary best. </blockquote>
 
Smudge have you ever read a book called the worlds friendliest people?

Smudge

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="jegga" data-cid="554984" data-time="1454033198">
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Smudge have you ever read a book called the worlds friendliest people?
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</blockquote>
 
Smudge crushed his cigarette as he chuckled to Stevo: "hey, is that chick coming down for a drink?"
 
Stevo, never short of a quip, shot back: "she'll be coming down, all right.'"
 
Smudge guffawed. It was what he had come to suspect from Stevo, who had knocked around with Smudge from the first year at primary school when their Tonka Trucks collided in the sandpit.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
I might have read a free chapter online from our friend. From what I recall, it was written pretty much as badly as the excerpt I've conjured up above.

jegga

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Smudge" data-cid="554985" data-time="1454034023">
<div>
Smudge crushed his cigarette as he chuckled to Stevo: "hey, is that chick coming down for a drink?"
 
Stevo, never short of a quip, shot back: "she'll be coming down, all right.'"
 
Smudge guffawed. It was what he had come to suspect from Stevo, who had knocked around with Smudge from the first year at primary school when their Tonka Trucks collided in the sandpit.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
I might have read a free chapter online from our friend. From what I recall, it was written pretty much as badly as the excerpt I've conjured up above.
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I've forwarded this to Taika Waititi , it seems very Eagle vs Shark. Odd that second hand copies are dearer than new ones don't you think?
 
The World's Friendliest People follows the fortunes of a young New Zealander in the final decades of the twentieth century, seeking in vain the qualities his countrymen are traditionally renowned for, finding instead in this age that values have changed - or that they in fact never were what it was always claimed they were. This is the television-educated generation. Theirs is a typical, superficial Western culture, which holds no place for honest words and intentions. The narrator is of the 'Holden Caulfield' (Catcher in the Rye) anti-hero variety. He remains nameless throughout, symbolizing the lack of interest in ones fellow man among those around him, and those he encounters.

JC

I went to the 95 RWC. There were theoretically lots of things to do but safaris and such were expensive and not necessarily convenient. All the activities were organised for us and we were warned in most places not to go out on the razzle by ourselves. I haven't been back since so I'm not sure if it would be the same now. I had a great time but I recall a lot of travelling to and from, and in, airports, which are shit places with a hangover.
 
On the other hand I've been to Ireland more times than I can count. Now the Irish team may be a pack of rabbit-punching thugs :fishing: but Ireland is fucking awesome. And that, by the way, is official. Anybody who says there isn't enough to do there is a fucking simpleton, and not someone with whom I would care to share a quiet pint and a yarn.

rotated

My favourite part is how Ireland is unfit to host a World Cup for having limited Stadia, shit weather and a poor RWC record while 1999 is the gold standard for World Cups and was hosted in fucking Wales.

Derm McCrum

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="JC" data-cid="554994" data-time="1454036477">
I went to the 95 RWC. There were theoretically lots of things to do but safaris and such were expensive and not necessarily convenient. All the activities were organised for us and we were warned in most places not to go out on the dazzle by ourselves. I haven't been back since so I'm not sure if it would be the same now. I had a great time but I recall a lot of travelling to and from, and in, airports, which are shit places with a hangover. 
On the other hand I've been to Ireland more times than I can count. Now the Irish team may be a pack of rabbit-punching thugs :fishing: but Ireland is fucking awesome. And that, by the way, is official. Anybody who says there isn't enough to do there is a fucking simpleton, and not someone with whom I would care to share a quiet pint and a yarn.</blockquote>
 
Can I use that in our tourism marketing literature? 
(Actually, I'm only asking out of politeness, I'm going to copy it anyway.)

Nepia

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="jegga" data-cid="554981" data-time="1454031227">
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I'm not sure what you're talking about, SARU let Meyer pick at least half of the team.
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Half is a bit rough, there were more white players and Bryan Habana than that.
 
Just catching up with the Rowan posting on this thread, WT actual F??? He clearly is trying to out winger winger. Has anyone asked him/her their thoughts on vaccinations?

JC

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Pot Hale" data-cid="554997" data-time="1454036901">
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Can I use that in our tourism marketing literature? (Actually, I'm only asking out of politeness, I'm going to copy it anyway.)
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And why would I expect anything else from a light-fingered celt?

JC

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Pot Hale" data-cid="554997" data-time="1454036901">
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Can I use that in our tourism marketing literature? 
(Actually, I'm only asking out of politeness, I'm going to copy it anyway.)
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And also, what time do you get up in the morning? Or are you still at the pub?

Rancid Schnitzel

Christ guys. The troll has not only been fed, but has helped himself to 4th and 5th servings and is now raiding the dessert cart. Stop indulging it or it will keep coming back for more.

Smudge

The only thing that surprises me is that Rowan has reported posts. Usually trolls have a skin made of rhino hide, and let the robust insults just slide off their back. Not our Rowan though - he's got hurt feelings, he's got hurt feelings.

jegga

Rowan doesn't think he's a troll though , he thinks he's casting pearls of wisdom to the masses . That's why he's so hurt, " why are these people asking for proof ? Isn't the fact that I said it good enough?" 
No Rowan it isn't .

Catogrande

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="mariner4life" data-cid="554905" data-time="1454022324">
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Dude, I'm loving your work, but wasn't 99 "in" Wales? And i have strange memories of watching the 2007 final in Paris.
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Aaaaaargh! Fuck it. Memory is a bastard. And what's more I do need to check my maths. Sorry Rowan.

Rowan

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="JC" data-cid="554994" data-time="1454036477">
<div>
I went to the 95 RWC. There were theoretically lots of things to do but safaris and such were expensive and not necessarily convenient. All the activities were organised for us and we were warned in most places not to go out on the razzle by ourselves. I haven't been back since so I'm not sure if it would be the same now. I had a great time but I recall a lot of travelling to and from, and in, airports, which are shit places with a hangover.
 
On the other hand I've been to Ireland more times than I can count. Now the Irish team may be a pack of rabbit-punching thugs :fishing: but Ireland is fucking awesome. And that, by the way, is official. Anybody who says there isn't enough to do there is a fucking simpleton, and not someone with whom I would care to share a quiet pint and a yarn.
</div>
</blockquote>
 
So now we're down to personal anecdotes.

Rowan

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="rotated" data-cid="554996" data-time="1454036878">
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My favourite part is how Ireland is unfit to host a World Cup for having limited Stadia, shit weather and a poor RWC record while 1999 is the gold standard for World Cups and was hosted in fucking Wales.
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</blockquote>
 
Almost everybody else here has been saying the 99 format was a shambles. I didn't think it was bad. Two very dramatic semis, and an historic win for Argentina over the Irish. Not the best World Cup ever, but far from the worst.
 
Of course, what you're overlooking here is that France, England, Scotland and Ireland were all involved in hosting this event. No way Wales could have done it on its own. So, once again, I think we can be pretty sure that, if awarded the event, Ireland would follow that fine tradition of immediately doing an about-face on the single host nation pledge and ship a bunch of games across to Britain - & possibly France, depending on how the behind-the-scenes wheeling and dealing played out.
 
So it really comes down to a 2nd World Cup in sunny, rugby-mad South Africa with its vast array of rugby-purpose stadia, or a 5th World Cup on the chilly, football-mad north-west tip of Europe, with games either crammed into Ireland's one major rugby venue and a bunch of creaky old converted Gaelic stadiums, or once again spread throughout the Home Unions and possbily France.

The Silver Fern

2023 (expanded) World Cup in South Africa