The Official, one and only, Men's IRB Rugby World Cup 2023 thread

[BnM]

Mullet seems to be 'in trend' in pro rugby.

[BnM]

If I never see Ant & Dec again it will be too soon.

[Fonz]

Romania only qualified by default after all, it's hard to know if Spain would have fared any better but lower ranked Portugal certainly showed a much better attitude albeit against a pretty inept Wales second string.

Spain would have absolutely fared better. Canada’s hardly in rude health but Spain put 40 on them in the first half in Edmonton last year. They’re pretty good by Tier 2 standards. And while their results took a sight dip this year, that’s because they’re reorienting to make a run for 2027 and blooding lots of new players.

[_Os_]

Never any doubt in my mind, Torq. Easy pick, don't know why almost everyone went for the Wallabies.

[_Os_]

The final match of the round England v Japan.

This one is actually a bit more difficult to call than people are giving credit. Went England with room to spare. But if shit England turn up and not the England which played the Pumas, and if maximum attacking try scoring Japan turns up ...

[Torquemada 1420]

Never any doubt in my mind, Torq. Easy pick, don't know why almost everyone went for the Wallabies.

TBF, I was spot on with the officiating. However, I missed that Kuruvoli had replaced Lomani precisely for the kicking.

Anyway, that ends my chances this RWC.

[Lady P]

The final match of the round England v Japan.

This one is actually a bit more difficult to call than people are giving credit. Went England with room to spare. But if shit England turn up and not the England which played the Pumas, and if maximum attacking try scoring Japan turns up ...

Shit England say hi

[Torquemada 1420]

The final match of the round England v Japan.

This one is actually a bit more difficult to call than people are giving credit. Went England with room to spare. But if shit England turn up and not the England which played the Pumas, and if maximum attacking try scoring Japan turns up ...

1/2 way there. Japan not wanting to ruin the spirit of the game by joining in the sh*t rugby.

[charltom]

Is there a NPR Fantasy RWC league?

[_Os_]

I like to lock in so I can see others’ picks, which I immediately regretted when I realized I only had Namibia losing by 35 to the ABs ….got a soft spot for those guys though, still pissed WR couldn’t be bothered to reschedule their match against Canada in 2019 that got postponed on account of the typhoon, which would very likely have been their first ever RWC victory. Doubtful they’ll ever get another chance as good as that.

I think Chile has been more competitive than the score lines have suggested, but alas. (I’ll also confess to a bit of bias with regard to the Hispanic teams, on account of my own background…funnily enough I would actually be qualified to play for Chile as my grandpa was born there, though he was for all intents and purposes Colombian).

I also expected Romania to have a little more pride, but that too was a tad over optimistic.

Unusual for anyone to back Namibia, thought I was the only one. It's more normal to blame them for holding back all of African rugby (not really buying about 20 clubs in a desert is capable of that). Their away jersey is decent this RWC, replicas also now have the fish eagle emblem (they used to refuse to sell replicas with the player issue emblem, they said it had to be earned which didn't seem commercially wise), not cheap though.

[_Os_]

Never any doubt in my mind, Torq. Easy pick, don't know why almost everyone went for the Wallabies.

TBF, I was spot on with the officiating. However, I missed that Kuruvoli had replaced Lomani precisely for the kicking.

Anyway, that ends my chances this RWC.

Checking it now, you're definitely still in it.

Only myself, you, and GoBlack have 4 Margin Points, all three of us old PR posters (which is nice). Looks like you're in the top three on TDM. So you're picking well imo, just luck on the England v Pumas match and Fiji v Wallabies match that prevented the GS points for you. But luck can change, there's a lot of banana skin games in the remaining pool rounds, minnow battles that many will slip up on (Uruguay or Namibia? Georgia or Portugal? Wallabies or Portugal? Japan or Samoa?), as well as the big battles (Boks or Ireland? Ireland or Scotland?). Next round has 4 banana skins. I'm just picking Boks until they win the thing or crash out, will never not back this side can see a lot of South Africans doing the same, there's a chance there if you think they're going to lose.

[_Os_]

Is there a NPR Fantasy RWC league?

Yes. Torq runs the picking comp. Puma runs the fantasy team comp. Both on Super Bru.

[charltom]

Is there a NPR Fantasy RWC league?

Yes. Torq runs the picking comp. Puma runs the fantasy team comp. Both on Super Bru.

I'm aware there's Super Bru comps. I was thinking of fantasy.rugbyworldcup.com

Is there any NPR league in that?

[average joe]

I have a theory on Jones. He picked what he considered to be his strongest squad in the Rugby Championship and got thumped by all, realized his job was in danger and decided to pick a bunch of youngsters for the WC. If they drop out, he can say he is building for the next one.

[Torquemada 1420]

Never any doubt in my mind, Torq. Easy pick, don't know why almost everyone went for the Wallabies.

TBF, I was spot on with the officiating. However, I missed that Kuruvoli had replaced Lomani precisely for the kicking.

Anyway, that ends my chances this RWC.

Checking it now, you're definitely still in it.

Only myself, you, and GoBlack have 4 Margin Points, all three of us old PR posters (which is nice). Looks like you're in the top three on TDM. So you're picking well imo, just luck on the England v Pumas match and Fiji v Wallabies match that prevented the GS points for you. But luck can change, there's a lot of banana skin games in the remaining pool rounds, minnow battles that many will slip up on (Uruguay or Namibia? Georgia or Portugal? Wallabies or Portugal? Japan or Samoa?), as well as the big battles (Boks or Ireland? Ireland or Scotland?). Next round has 4 banana skins. I'm just picking Boks until they win the thing or crash out, will never not back this side can see a lot of South Africans doing the same, there's a chance there if you think they're going to lose.

I suspect that's one advantage I've always had: I pick dispassionately and when it comes to Fre teams, that has helped plenty when it's come to intls and HEC/Shield comps. The only time I don't follow that is on tactical picks i.e. I will sometimes "chicken out" if a pick would go against the masses if being the loner would put me out of contention early on.

Ironically, I disable the BP in all the comps (because it's been badly abused in the past) which would have given me some ground back!

[Torquemada 1420]

Is there a NPR Fantasy RWC league?

Yes. Torq runs the picking comp. Puma runs the fantasy team comp. Both on Super Bru.

I'm aware there's Super Bru comps. I was thinking of fantasy.rugbyworldcup.com

Is there any NPR league in that?

Not that I am aware of. It's possible PR-Jake has its own pool(s) in that one.

[laurent]

Hairy 15

[Niegs]

Apols if already posted:

[sturginho]

[Guy Smiley]

Posted this in the Bok v Ire thread but it's well worth wider viewing, a great chat between Jim Williams and ROG about the game. There's a bit right at the end where ROG talks about Fiji that gives a nice insight into the way he sees the world and takes things a little beyond just the game.

[Sinkers]

I see Eddie’s progressed to broken fibulas in training nowadays.

[derriz]

The Rugby World Cup youtube highlights are a f*cking joke and they must have blocked all the broadcasters from showing extended highlights on their channels. 3 mins no matter what happens in the match - often they don't even show all the tries. They're almost worse than nothing - you can't help clicking but end up with no feel for the game or its dynamic. Why not have 12-15 minute highlights like all the other rugby comps do?

[laurent]

The Rugby World Cup youtube highlights are a f*cking joke and they must have blocked all the broadcasters from showing extended highlights on their channels. 3 mins no matter what happens in the match - often they don't even show all the tries. They're almost worse than nothing - you can't help clicking but end up with no feel for the game or its dynamic. Why not have 12-15 minute highlights like all the other rugby comps do?

Actually it's a mess TF1 are a joke shop in France as a Broadcaster yet RWC are geoblocking content which means you don't get highlights on the web (if you're dim / computer illiterate)...

worse is they fucked all the decent analysis on Youtube stricking the youtubers with copyrights infringements.

[Niegs]

#shrinkthegame

[Paddington Bear]

Anyone know a half decent Birmingham city centre pub that’s likely to show the game tomorrow?

[Niegs]

Posted this in the Bok v Ire thread but it's well worth wider viewing, a great chat between Jim Williams and ROG about the game. There's a bit right at the end where ROG talks about Fiji that gives a nice insight into the way he sees the world and takes things a little beyond just the game.

Funny that I'm already seeing a bunch of people on twitter parroting O'Gara from this when he said you can't (or don't?) go around the rush defence. Pretty sure I've seen people fire nice arching passes over defenders who've got deeper than the passer to a winger flat / racing into the space on the wing left by the winger/fb holding back for a kick.

It's tougher in a narrower channel, and when your pass isn't on the money, of course. But that mentality assumes the rushing defenders are always in synch, too. Maybe SA are very good in that regard (less so without Am?), but this sort of thing is still entirely an option, imo (in fact, the last game I watched was frustrating as England kicked away a lot of those opportunities).




I can't think of a clip at the moment, but there's also the possibility of a really elusive 13 getting outside his man if their brave enough to sit deep and accurate enough with the pass to free the man either while deep or from a contact situation when the inside man takes on the rushing defenders (I can think of Nonu having a go and popping to Smith coming in to look for a gap there). Someone like Ioane or Marchant is perfect to make the break, but teams don't often have a 12 with good passing skills (or will, as Farrell has shown he can spin some bullets as such in a Sarries shirt).

[Slick]

Posted this in the Bok v Ire thread but it's well worth wider viewing, a great chat between Jim Williams and ROG about the game. There's a bit right at the end where ROG talks about Fiji that gives a nice insight into the way he sees the world and takes things a little beyond just the game.

Point of order, Jim Hamilton

[Guy Smiley]

Oh... yeah. Dunno why I went with Jim Williams, the only one of those I've ever known was a plumber who liked homebrew and thinking back, probably beat his wife.

My bad. Apologies.

[Niegs]

Oh... yeah. Dunno why I went with Jim Williams...

Could be combined Jim Hamilton and Ali Williams? Or remembering this fella...

[Slick]

Posted this in the Bok v Ire thread but it's well worth wider viewing, a great chat between Jim Williams and ROG about the game. There's a bit right at the end where ROG talks about Fiji that gives a nice insight into the way he sees the world and takes things a little beyond just the game.

Great video. Was t sure at all about ROG at the beginning but really warmed to him and some great insight. Doesn’t pull his punches

[laurent]

Dupont Likely out for a month more info during the week.

Best case scenario is back in semi final.

[Gumboot]

Dupont Likely out for a month more info during the week.

Best case scenario is back in semi final.

That's shit news. The word's best player out of the World Cup so early... where have we heard this before?

I sincerely hope France goes on to have a great tournament regardless. This is a great side to watch when they're on song.

[Sandstorm]

Chile and Namibia leading the yellow/red card stats so far.

[JM2K6]

Chile and Namibia leading the yellow/red card stats so far.

I was thinking it's probably harder for lower tier players, given the top sides are all absolutely fucking massive and the gain line is so crucial, so players have no choice but to throw everything into it or face annihilation. But there's really no excuse for guys like Deysel - he's a hugely experienced Currie Cup and ProD2 player.

[Sandstorm]

Chile and Namibia leading the yellow/red card stats so far.

I was thinking it's probably harder for lower tier players, given the top sides are all absolutely fucking massive and the gain line is so crucial, so players have no choice but to throw everything into it or face annihilation. But there's really no excuse for guys like Deysel - he's a hugely experienced Currie Cup and ProD2 player.

Agreed, although trying to tackle the French Eel is a nightmare even for the best Tier 1 players.

[Slick]

All joking aside that is great news for our side of the draw. I still don't think he is as good as some think but when firing on all cylinders he is lethal. Again all joking aside Irelands history with injuries at the world cup has been utterly miserable. 4 amd 5 first team players out going into post pool.games. Pivotal players like Dupont. It will be highly unusual if the curse strikes someone else

Irish making it all about them again. Jesus.

Good natured banter aside, how on gods earth can you not think he is as good as some think. Easily the best playing at the moment and, IMO, probably of all time

[Sandstorm]

All joking aside that is great news for our side of the draw. I still don't think he is as good as some think but when firing on all cylinders he is lethal. Again all joking aside Irelands history with injuries at the world cup has been utterly miserable. 4 amd 5 first team players out going into post pool.games. Pivotal players like Dupont. It will be highly unusual if the curse strikes someone else

Irish making it all about them again. Jesus.

Good natured banter aside, how on gods earth can you not think he is as good as some think. Easily the best playing at the moment and, IMO, probably of all time

He's right up there, for sure. France's performance in the rest of the tournament will be a very good indicator.

[Slick]

All joking aside that is great news for our side of the draw. I still don't think he is as good as some think but when firing on all cylinders he is lethal. Again all joking aside Irelands history with injuries at the world cup has been utterly miserable. 4 amd 5 first team players out going into post pool.games. Pivotal players like Dupont. It will be highly unusual if the curse strikes someone else

Irish making it all about them again. Jesus.

Good natured banter aside, how on gods earth can you not think he is as good as some think. Easily the best playing at the moment and, IMO, probably of all time

You're young. There have been multiple better players than him and that's just been from NZ. He's had good matches, bad matches and all the bits in between. He has a lot of smoke blown up his arse alright.

And this is about Ireland and South Africa and NZ amd the other teams in this side of the draw. Dare I say it it is also about Scotland

I don’t think anyone has ever been so nice to me in a single post.

Go Ireland

[Sandstorm]

Irish making it all about them again. Jesus.

Good natured banter aside, how on gods earth can you not think he is as good as some think. Easily the best playing at the moment and, IMO, probably of all time

You're young. There have been multiple better players than him and that's just been from NZ. He's had good matches, bad matches and all the bits in between. He has a lot of smoke blown up his arse alright.

And this is about Ireland and South Africa and NZ amd the other teams in this side of the draw. Dare I say it it is also about Scotland

I don’t think anyone has ever been so nice to me in a single post.

Go Ireland

You wanker, Slick.


**Normal service resumed**

[Slick]

You're young. There have been multiple better players than him and that's just been from NZ. He's had good matches, bad matches and all the bits in between. He has a lot of smoke blown up his arse alright.

And this is about Ireland and South Africa and NZ amd the other teams in this side of the draw. Dare I say it it is also about Scotland

I don’t think anyone has ever been so nice to me in a single post.

Go Ireland

You wanker, Slick.


**Normal service resumed**

To be honest, after the overwhelming performance of many of your countrymen for days after our game, what was a fairly clear cut decision on who to support is a lot murkier. Definitely a case of wishing a plague on both houses.