Rugby World Cup general discussion

[mariner4life]

following the pools discussion on the other thread. The draws throw up some really fun games

In our pool we play France first, and who ever loses that has to stress about the Italy game, which for us is 2nd last, but for France is last. For perfect drama we win the opener and France are faced with an enormous banana skin
South Africa can't focus on Ireland, because they play Scotland first. And if Ireland lose to SA, they have Scotland on the last weekend.
In the pool C shitfight Wales, Aus and Fiji will have all played each other in the first 3 weeks.
Pool D i can't see anyone but the top 2 progressing, nor anyone else beating them, but they play week 1, meaning the loser has to stress right through.

I feel like there is one Group upset that throws the draw open every cup. Not sure it's quite that dramatic this time given the split of the pools. Maybe anything that makes England and Aus play each other in a quarter?

Or Ireland losing twice and missing the knockouts...

[Bovidae]

One of the strange things about this RWC is that in an effort to avoid midweek games there is a big gap between some games (~ 2 weeks). For some, like the ABs, Ireland and England, it is between their pool games, but for others like SA and Aust it is before their QF. The latter could be a problem in that you risk losing any momentum and match hardness by not playing for nearly 2 weeks. We'll find out what is better in time.

[mariner4life]

the supporters of losing teams will trott it out as an excuse either way.

i actually like ours, big game first up, then a gimme, then a fortnight off in to the 2nd hardest game, then another gimme straight in to the quarters

[KiwiMurph]

@Daffy-Jaffy said in Rugby World Cup news:

Prime Video will exclusively broadcast 15 Summer Nations Series fixtures from Saturday 5th August through to Sunday 27th August, featuring:

Saturday 29th July: Scotland v Italy
Saturday 5th August: Scotland v France
Saturday 5th August: Wales v England
Saturday 5th August: Ireland v Italy
Saturday 12th August: England v Wales
Saturday 12th August: France v Scotland
Saturday 19th August: Wales v South Africa
Saturday 19th August: Ireland v England
Saturday 19th August: Italy v Romania
Saturday 19th August: France v Fiji
Saturday 26th August: England v Fiji
Saturday 26th August: Scotland v Georgia
Saturday 26th August: Italy v Japan
Saturday 26th August: Ireland v Samoa
Sunday 27th August: France v Australia

I don't know if the 'Prime Video exclusive' includes NZ ?

Edit: Google says - In New Zealand all games are streaming exclusively on Sky Sport Now, but it does not appear anywhere in their promotion pages?

For those in Aus these look like they are on Stan

[Daffy Jaffy]

https://twitter.com/RugbyRomania/status/1688492454498951168/photo/1

[Daffy Jaffy]

[nostrildamus]

@Daffy-Jaffy said in Rugby World Cup news:

https://t.co/kWWWjaCtmh

Is that photo deliberately taking the piss? I mean, there seems to be more than one Fijian in that photo.

[MiketheSnow]

@Daffy-Jaffy said in Rugby World Cup news:

https://twitter.com/RugbyRomania/status/1688492454498951168/photo/1

Romania play Italy this Saturday which will give an indication of their current standing

But based on last weekend's outing afainst the US I'd suggest it's not high

Highlights are average tbf

[Billy Tell]

@Daffy-Jaffy said in Rugby World Cup news:

Fiji have a great chance to get out of their pool.

[Bones]

@nostrildamus Is that you Stephen Jones?

[Mr Fish]

@Billy-Tell said in Rugby World Cup news:

@Daffy-Jaffy said in Rugby World Cup news:

Fiji have a great chance to get out of their pool.

I think Georgia have a better chance, to be honest.

They're basically replicating what Japan did at the last World Cup with keeping their squad together all year. Could be very interesting - their opening match with Australia is certainly one to watch.

[chimoaus]

Apologies if this has already been posted but a good predictor tool here so you can see how the draw might play out.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/world-cup-rugby-2023-fixtures-england-telegraph-predictor/

[Stargazer]

@chimoaus Thanks, that's very handy!

[taniwharugby]

@chimoaus I did it and came up with this for the final...

[Kiwiwomble]

the photo looks weird, bench with fozzie and cane, uneven numbers at the back, load of people with eye shut or looking in different directions, cobbled together photoshop?

[Nepia]

@Kiwiwomble Also look at how far Fozzie is from the ginga, weird he'd select him when you can clearly see he despises him. Are NZR enforcing a ginga quota on him?

[mariner4life]

@Nepia said in Rugby World Cup news:

@Kiwiwomble Also look at how far Fozzie is from the ginga, weird he'd select him when you can clearly see he despises him. Are NZR enforcing a ginga quota on him?

no one wants to catch gingervitus

[Stargazer]

@Nepia @Kiwiwomble They wouldn't have needed the backrow in the photo if Christie would have sat next to Fozzie on that bench and one player at the back would have taken Christie's chair. The others in the backrow could have filled the empty spots in the row in front of them. Obviously, Fozzie is too fat for even Christie to fit on that remaining space on the bench.

[Bovidae]

They are seated/standing in the order (alphabetical) that the players were announced. Only Cane was sitting on the bench until the coaches were added. Clearly, if we punt out Christie, Weber can go in the back row with the other giants.

[frugby]

@Nepia said in Rugby World Cup news:

@Kiwiwomble Also look at how far Fozzie is from the ginga, weird he'd select him when you can clearly see he despises him. Are NZR enforcing a ginga quota on him?

The real question is, does the quota extend to two players, and if so, who is the other one? Fletcher Newell? DMac?