Rugby world cup Japan 2019 Discussion Thread

Group Predictions.

Group A
Winners: Ireland. Runners Up: Japan

Group B
Winners: New Zealand Runners Up: South Africa

Group C
Winners: England. Runners Up: Argentina

Group D:
Winners: Australia. Runners Up: Wales

Predicted Tournament winners: South Africa

It all kicks off tomorrow morning as Japan take on Russia at 11:45am British time. I expect this to be a close opener but Japan to sneak it.

(18-09-2019 20:55 )hornball Wrote:  

(18-09-2019 09:08 )babelover48 Wrote:  These are my picks for group qualifying:

GROUP A
SAMOA
JAPAN


GROUP B
NEW ZEALAND
SOUTH AFRICA

GROUP C
ENGLAND
ARGENTINA

GROUP D
FIJI
AUSTRALIA
** Don't discount WALES**

Some interesting picks there for sure!! Fiji ahead of Wales?? Not sure the Howley issue will have that degree of impact on their chances! No Ireland either....Samoa taking their place?? That is one hell of a shout. I think Ireland will win the group!! In actual fact, I reckon the Aussies might find it hard enough to progress from Group D

Almost 2 million tickets sold - 75% The first match Japan v Russia cracking game to kick things off. Bing it on!! Really excited now!!

The Ireland V Scotland game will be pivotal to either side's progress for me mate, but I just have a hunch that Samoa could spring a surprise or two. If anything they could turn Scotland over. Not only that, I do hope England don't fall into the same traps against Argentina when they clash. When I look back to that game in 2015, Argentina pushed England hard all the way and England didn't have it all their own way either.

not long to the first game.....

JAPAN V RUSSIA!!

(20-09-2019 08:00 )babelover48 Wrote:  not long to the first game.....

JAPAN V RUSSIA!!

Thought it would be a cracking opening fixture, and it was exactly that! Japan were always likely to be the winners. Russia, though, showed they are to be taken seriously, and in the first half, were more than a match. It was fatigue that did for them in the end, and it is a strong message to the IRB (B Beaumont) that they have to do more work still with the international scheduling, to ensure the Russia's of this world play more regularly, and against tier 1 opposition more often also!

Sorry, but the six nations/rugby championship have to be a part of a broader structure, encompassing tier two/three nations - rather than a top table back scratching exercise - season in and season out! Particularly if the WC is to be further expanded, which is what we all want to see, and what the IRB has said is going to be the case, as early as the next WC in 2023

* note for N. Owens!! Quality refereeing again -as expected - from him. Yes was firm, but showed understanding of what these two teams were trying to do, so while adhering to the laws without fear or favour, gave credit to the players for doing the right thing, and helping them where he could!

What about maybe making the Six Nations & the Rugby Championship a two division competition with promotion/relegation between the two? I think Russia deserve to be in the Six Nations more than Italy do. Italy are good, but I don't think they bring as much to the Six Nations as Russia would or maybe Romania who were considered for a place in the old Five Nations for a number of years.

Some restructuring has to be done somehow in both Northern and Southern Hemisphere, to the point where the likes of Japan, Russia and possibly Fiji play regularly in the Southern Hemisphere and the likes of Russia Canada USA play regularly in thr Northern Hemisphere because sometimes I get the feeling there is often wide gaps in terms of quality of performance between some Test sides and those below them.

I wrote this here, and forgot to post it here!!

When you look at it on paper, many have said this could be the most open world cup for a long time. I would say that is possible.

In Group A, think the fixture that is most pivotal in Group A is Ireland V Scotland. The progress of either team in that group will lean heavily on the result of that game, but have a sneaking suspicion that Samoa are capable of an upset or two, and probably that could happen against Scotland. I think with hosts Japan, they could make it if they have shown enough improvement and with home soil advantage that could spur the team on. I wouldn't write off the Irish completely either, they are capable of getting out of the group.

Group B should be straight forward for New Zealand but with a average age squad of 32 this could be the last World Cup for many of this great team They should not struggle to get out of this one but who knows what a couple of injuries or suspensions might do? Along with South Africa, they are my picks for this group to qualify but I think Canada could go close to qualifying.

Group C is England's group, this is probably going to be the most competitive group of the lot. How much will the failure of failing to qualify on home soil in 2015 will haunt England's progress? Time will tell, and there have been many up and downs under Eddie Jones but I do believe that they could come good in Japan, but much will rest on how they deal with Argentina this time around after they pushed us hard in 2015. Our potential banana skins as it were, could lie with Tonga or the USA, they could give us a scare or two. But the guys really need to be focused this time. And I expect a great game with France. France for me could be a dark horse. But I do think they have to beat us to make any progress.

Group D should be between Australia & Wales, but do think Fiji could hamper either team. Wales shouldn't find Howey's suspension anything of a set back as I'm sure Steve Jones will do an admirable replacement job. Georgia could test both Australia and Wales mentally & physically, and their best hopes of a win should come against Uruguay. If Wales fail to make it out, then I expect Fiji to be next strongest to qualify.

(20-09-2019 18:46 )babelover48 Wrote:  What about maybe making the Six Nations & the Rugby Championship a two division competition with promotion/relegation between the two? I think Russia deserve to be in the Six Nations more than Italy do. Italy are good, but I don't think they bring as much to the Six Nations as Russia would or maybe Romania who were considered for a place in the old Five Nations for a number of years.

Some restructuring has to be done somehow in both Northern and Southern Hemisphere, to the point where the likes of Japan, Russia and possibly Fiji play regularly in the Southern Hemisphere and the likes of Russia Canada USA play regularly in thr Northern Hemisphere because sometimes I get the feeling there is often wide gaps in terms of quality of performance between some Test sides and those below them.

That is less the case than - say two tournaments ago! You are right though, there has to be a way of creating tournaments with a greater number of the nations involved! One way, is by ensuring the tier one's - instead of repeating tours to each others backyard - go to Japan, Russia, Uruguay etc instead. Not as a filler,, but as a series of matches that have as much meaning as the 6N and RC. It is also time to make all the nations (bar holders/hosts) seek qualification to the WC, and stop giving tier one's a 'right of passage' Were Eng Ire Sco Wal etc to not make it?? So be it!!

Are you also suggesting thr break up of the British Lions?

(20-09-2019 19:17 )babelover48 Wrote:  Are you also suggesting thr break up of the British Lions?

I am not suggesting it babelover! I am saying it loud and clear. A once in 4 year team cobbled together, and I am from NI - as you know - so you might imagine I have an interest in the Irish 'dimension' of the lions. I couldn't give a flying furry one!! They just get in the way!! Nations play year on year, clubs play year on year, and all for big stakes!! You tell me?? Although I suspect you are a Lions fan?? fair enough! As an aside, Two tier 2 nations that provided the best possible start to the WC, and ITV give them 19 - yes 19 - minute highlights

I will throw in one caveat to the Lions issue! If the senior unions see it as being too difficult to send their national teams to these countries (bullshit), send the Lions. They wouldn't have to be made up of the best possible players from the respective home nations, as the standard there would still be better - short term - than in Jap Rus UR etc, so these nations would still benefit, and senior players would still get adequate R and R I suspect someone will tell me that the senior players would 'cut off their arm' to have the chance to pull on the lions shirt. Give them an option (only one pick) win the WC in Japan or beat the all blacks as part of the lions?? If the choice is B what are they doing in Japan??