Rugby Union World Cup - France 2023

(24-09-2023 22:05 )hornball Wrote:  A right old wallabying (couldn't resist) for the 'Gold' (more and more tarnished by the day) from Wales. I am not sure what Wales can takeaway in terms of their prospects in the World Cup as a whole. I am certain though, that Australia will face a reaction the likes of which they can not have ever expected in their history! Is EJ cooked, or will - as Matt Williams (can't wait to hear his reaction - stand well back) - intimated after the Fiji defeat - the administrators accept their culpability for this debacle??

Must mention Georgia V Portugal! Fantastic contest, and one of the best so far! Surely the sport has to see the value in being more inclusive in bringing these nations into a fixture schedule that sees them in the spotlight more often?? No more talk, the sport has done that forever with no positive outcome. get it done!! - in the southern Hemisphere also.

May not be popular, and I don't have a blueprint, but maybe a European Championship replacing one six nations in a cycle between world cups is the answer. Personally, the six nations comes around now, and I am like........and??

Actually, having thought about it, I do!! Nations League that football introduced to cut back on aimless friendlies, would fit with international rugby I believe! It would force the big boys to share the game and its resources to best effect, rather than divvy up among themselves in the same old repeated series. The finances of the sport would - of course - mean that these historical matches would remain in some form, but wouldn't necessarily be set in stone year in year out!

The most controversial (although i do think that committed rugby fans would see the merit) The 'Lions' brand - if it is to continue at all there I said it - would be used to further develop these nations yearly, rather than dragged from the mothballed cupboard it lives in, every 4 years to tour the 'big 3' I wonder how many would wear the lions shirt with such 'pride' if it was against Portugal Samoa Japan Namibia Chile etc??

NB Utilise the Baa Baas brand also!

Australia not quite dead yet, following their win against Portugal. I actually thought that Portugal would give them a run for their money, and but for some typically (at this level) naive mistakes, and indiscipline, were showing that they have a lot to offer, as they have been doing, throughout the tournament. Scored two quality tries, and before the yellow card (Harsh??), you could argue they were playing the better rugby.

Didn't see the South Africa/Tonga game. straight forward is what the scoreboard said for the Springboks

Ireland made yet another statement tonight in destroying Scotland! Clinical in both defense and attack, Scotland - apart from two consolations - didn't really fire a shot.

England gave no reason to see them as a threat in the latter knock - out stages in squeaking past Samoa who themselves, had ample opportunity to put the game to bed. They were though, a different side to the one that turned up in the tournament to this point! Wales were way too strong for a determined but ineffective Georgian side

Ireland now have their biggest obstacle to them going all the way - the ABs - in the QF

It will most likely be Ireland against the winner out of South Africa and France in the final I suspect. Ireland should be too efficient and solid to lose to the All Blacks.
Can't see Wales or the runner up of England's group troubling them either in the semis.

France v South Africa is the one really.
Huge huge game. Whichever one wins would demolish England or Fiji or Australia in the ensuing semi final.

The draw is pretty daft in all honesty.

It would have been much better to have had France, South Africa, New Zealand and Ireland as the final four.

It was back to the bad old days for English rugby. Samoa totally destroyed them both in attack an defence.

However a lot of luck and a late try saved England as they ran out 18-17 winners.

(07-10-2023 23:14 )Snooks Wrote:  It will most likely be Ireland against the winner out of South Africa and France in the final I suspect. Ireland should be too efficient and solid to lose to the All Blacks.
Can't see Wales or the runner up of England's group troubling them either in the semis.

France v South Africa is the one really.
Huge huge game. Whichever one wins would demolish England or Fiji or Australia in the ensuing semi final.

The draw is pretty daft in all honesty.

It would have been much better to have had France, South Africa, New Zealand and Ireland as the final four.

No I don't think that such things should smack of 'manipulation'. There is no doubt that the draw takes place way to early, but any change to that, cannot even have the hint - let alone - the look of a draw to favour the 'big boys' That is the danger we face with a new approach.

Two quality matches so far today, and only one of the top ten (6N and RC) in sight! Fiji/Portugal to come. Do not discount Portugal

Talk about saving the very best pool game till last.
Fiji v Portugal .
Absolute classic .

Ebbed and flowed.
Fiji finally got it to 23-17 with very little time left but Portugal sealed a famous win 24-23 late on with a converted try.
Wow .

Fiji still scrape into the quarter finals to face England. But what a game .

True Roy of the Rovers stuff .

(08-10-2023 21:03 )Snooks Wrote:  Talk about saving the very best pool game till last.
Fiji v Portugal .
Absolute classic .

Ebbed and flowed.
Fiji finally got it to 23-17 with very little time left but Portugal sealed a famous win 24-23 late on with a converted try.
Wow .

Fiji still scrape into the quarter finals to face England. But what a game .

Magnificent from Portugal!! Even more reason to design the schedule to ensure regular match fixtures for them, and the other up - coming nations. The Portugese have been box office this world cup, and they would I believe put 'bums on seats' were they to play the 6N teams more often.

I was unnerved to see it was Luke Pearce as the ref but in fairness, he didn't bring his school master grumpy drawers mood with him, and let the game flow while staying in charge.

I have still got the most ridiculous grin on my face after watching that match and I'm not even Portuguese. Tremendous stuff .

Fiji have partially taken there mind off things since beating the aussies and thinking about England seeing if they can upset them again but all credit to Portugal for digging deep after being under the radar against Wales and Georgia