Rugby world cup Japan 2019 Discussion Thread

(13-10-2019 14:46 )HannahsPet Wrote:  Scotland only had 22% posession in the first half spent most of the time in there own half so they were dominated

Japan should either be let in to the rugby championship or maybe invite them for a year or 2 into the 6 nations see how it would work

Either one of those two options would be a contrived outcome!! They need (as do all the neighbouring nations of T2) to play in a purposeful professional championship in Asia itself, with assurances that - year - on - year, they will be guaranteed series against their nearest T1 nations - at lease 3 match series against two T1 touring nations back - to - back!! Then reciprocal series with the T1 nations hosting! The same is true of the SH T2 countries Samoa Fiji etc - one Caveat - (they need to show that they are improving to guarantee their status) - Samoa and especially Fiji should have made a better showing in this WC I believe!

This needs to be put in place in the NH as well! The 6N countries have to provide a fixture list to enable Georgia Canada Russia USA etc to play - (and the other nations of Europe) Summer Internationals against them (periodically in place of the - 'you kiss my a** and i'll kiss yours series against Aus.SA,NZ etc) here, and reciprocal in their home!

I said in another posting somewhere, that one 6N and one RC in every four could be sacrificed in order to accommodate a 'European Championship' in the NH, and equivalent SH!

One other change (I wont be popular) Make the Lions do something useful if they are to remain at all! Send them (even 2nd string initially) to these T2 countries every other year! The competition that even a 2nd choice 15 the lions could put on the field, would give the T2's better competition than they would normally face! If not - disband them!!

One final thing! make the T1 involvement in this mandatory, and funding conditional upon it being fulfilled!

I had actually forgotten that the IRB had proposed a nations league - like that which football - to its credit - introduced, so the criticism levelled at the governing body was perhaps a little unfair. It was vetoed by at least one T1 nation (maybe more) apparently! I would like to know which of the 'major' countries vetoed, and why?? The IRB should resurrect that idea, and flesh it out some more. Any T1 that sets their face against it should be excluded, and told that the game is moving on without them!!

Apparently it was the 6N countries (specifically the 4 home unions) that threw a hand grenade at the notion of an 12 nation league structure! The SH nations signed up!! Well done us then!

(14-10-2019 14:28 )hornball Wrote:  Apparently it was the 6N countries (specifically the 4 home unions) that threw a hand grenade at the notion of an 12 nation league structure! The SH nations signed up!! Well done us then!

New Zealand and Australia pushed back strongly against a draft concept which would have seen the 15th-ranked United States included at the expense of ninth-ranked Fiji

Wasn’t it the idea of a US investment firm? The major rugby playing countries are all in favour of expanding the game but not by diluting the attractiveness and economics of the game. Suggestions that the British Lions should cease to exist that have been made are ridiculous. The touring Lions are the most profitable games for any home union and it is that money which is used to benefit game development.

The professional clubs also have views as anything that dilutes their interests is clearly a concern to them.

Concerns have also been expressed about not overloading the players

(14-10-2019 16:09 )SecretAgent Wrote:  Wasn’t it the idea of a US investment firm? The major rugby playing countries are all in favour of expanding the game but not by diluting the attractiveness and economics of the game. Suggestions that the British Lions should cease to exist that have been made are ridiculous. The touring Lions are the most profitable games for any home union and it is that money which is used to benefit game development.

The professional clubs also have views as anything that dilutes their interests is clearly a concern to them.

Concerns have also been expressed about not overloading the players

Maybe, but I am happy to admit to being in that camp!! Look every nation/club will - as you point out - have their own reasons for holding the sport back. They must not be allowed to do that!! If the IRB intend to expand WC, the nations that will make up the additional numbers, have to have the means of playing, and playing at a decent level!! Who wouldn't want now to buy a ticket for a match featuring Japan?? They would sell those seats out on their own merits, regardless of opposition!

Why can't the Lions be a vehicle for bringing these new nations through?? Ridiculous that they are only unearthed once every 4 years, and yet some want them to be the priority, with clubs allowing extra time for their players to join a lions camp prior to tours. Now that is ludicrous! I am sorry, but there a number of people who call themselves rugby fans, but - in truth - only follow the lions. Not a priority for me, or for those that follow clubs/nations week - in - week out year - in year - out (btw I know that some only follow the international game and nothing else too)! I do understand the economics argument!!

(14-10-2019 15:01 )ADS1 Wrote:  New Zealand and Australia pushed back strongly against a draft concept which would have seen the 15th-ranked United States included at the expense of ninth-ranked Fiji

Ultimately, they ran with it! Their argument against including a lower ranked nation at the expense of a higher placed nation - clearly sound!

(14-10-2019 19:21 )hornball Wrote:  

(14-10-2019 16:09 )SecretAgent Wrote:  Wasn’t it the idea of a US investment firm? The major rugby playing countries are all in favour of expanding the game but not by diluting the attractiveness and economics of the game. Suggestions that the British Lions should cease to exist that have been made are ridiculous. The touring Lions are the most profitable games for any home union and it is that money which is used to benefit game development.

The professional clubs also have views as anything that dilutes their interests is clearly a concern to them.

Concerns have also been expressed about not overloading the players

Maybe, but I am happy to admit to being in that camp!! Look every nation/club will - as you point out - have their own reasons for holding the sport back. They must not be allowed to do that!! If the IRB intend to expand WC, the nations that will make up the additional numbers, have to have the means of playing, and playing at a decent level!! Who wouldn't want now to buy a ticket for a match featuring Japan?? They would sell those seats out on their own merits, regardless of opposition!

Why can't the Lions be a vehicle for bringing these new nations through?? Ridiculous that they are only unearthed once every 4 years, and yet some want them to be the priority, with clubs allowing extra time for their players to join a lions camp prior to tours. Now that is ludicrous! I am sorry, but there a number of people who call themselves rugby fans, but - in truth - only follow the lions. Not a priority for me, or for those that follow clubs/nations week - in - week out year - in year - out (btw I know that some only follow the international game and nothing else too)! I do understand the economics argument!!

Why can't the Lions be a vehicle for bringing these new nations through??
I would agree with this, I don't see why not and at the same time it should be used by thr home nations to see how some new faces would work as well before putting them in their test sides. i think it would be great to see the Lions used to help develop the lower teams I think it would be good if they could do a short tour across Europe, the USA & Canada. A Lions tour throughout Europe say one summer every two years, to help develop and promote the gam would be a welcome thing, and not only that the 6N sides should do more individually too. I am sure that the European qualifiers for the world Cup are keenly tested, but it would give those teams in the qualifying competition and it gives those teams in the qualifying competition a chance to test their teams against the more established sides on a regular basis.
World Rugby want to see the number of teams competing in the World Cup increase eventually but I think for that to happen they first have to see how to raise standards outside the Test Nations.
I would like to see the 6N eventually morph into a full European championship played fully across Europe, I think it would be a good thing. or to begin with, at least the bottom side having to play a qualifier against a lower ranked European nation on a winner takes all basis, meaning that whoever wins that game, plays in that season 6N.

QUARTER FINALS AS FOLLOWS (KO TIMES UK TIMES)

SATURDAY 19 OCTOBER
ENGLAND V AUSTRALIA (KO 08.15)
NEW ZEALAND V IRELAND (KO 11:15)

SUNDAY 20 OCTOBER
WALES V FRANCE (KO 08:15)
JAPAN V SOUTH AFRICA (KO 11:15)

I think with the form England have shown they should beat Australia though I expect Australia will push us hard all the way. England to win by 10-15 pts

I actually think if Ireland can recapture that form they showed in the game in the US where they beat NZ I think they can beat them, but if NZ get into top gear early on they will win. Predictable hard to say but my heart says NZ by 10-20 pts.

Wales v France is the intriguing one. France for me have been a slow burning side and they have to come out firing from the start. Wales were pretty strong in the Group stage and their group record suggests
they will be hard to beat. Wales to win by 20-25 pts.

Host Nation Japan have perhaps been the story of this competition. like four years ago they came up against South Africa in the group stages and won. Now it is a quarter final and I think the difference is you only get one shot at winning a quarter final. South Africa unfortunately haven't been as convincing as they have been in the past in this competition. I actually am going for a surprise Japan win
by 15 pts

Would Eddie need to resign if he loses Saturday? If he does who would replace him?