RWC 2023 seedings

Tue Jun 28, 2022 11:09 am

That's all this is about, who can beat Namibia.

Kenya and Zim are bringing some good form with them, but I'm still not sure if they can do it.

Tue Jun 28, 2022 11:13 am

Zimbabwe played well against the Dutch, with speed and physicality. It was a very young and inexperienced Dutch side, but still.

Really liked the Zimbabwe nr 8, who was the best player on the pitch by a mile.

Their goal kicking was atrocious, though, and will cost them if it continues like that.

Tue Jun 28, 2022 5:00 pm

A Namibia team in what I assume was a warm-up game lost 21 - 43 to an Italy A team in Cape Town last Friday. No idea about the relative strengths of the teams.

https://www.federugby.it/index.php?opti ... Itemid=425

Wed Jun 29, 2022 6:11 am

clydecloggie wrote: Tue Jun 28, 2022 11:13 am Zimbabwe played well against the Dutch, with speed and physicality. It was a very young and inexperienced Dutch side, but still.

Really liked the Zimbabwe nr 8, who was the best player on the pitch by a mile.

Their goal kicking was atrocious, though, and will cost them if it continues like that.

They appear to have gotten their act together. Good to see a big name sponsor too. I hope the exposure to the Currie Cup did them some good.

On another note, I find it so odd that all these African teams have travel to France for the qualifiers. The Kenya team were fundraising right up until the moment they got on the plane. It would have been so much more affordable to base the competition somewhere neutral in Africa.

Wed Jun 29, 2022 10:19 am

tabascoboy wrote: Tue Jun 28, 2022 5:00 pm A Namibia team in what I assume was a warm-up game lost 21 - 43 to an Italy A team in Cape Town last Friday. No idea about the relative strengths of the teams.

https://www.federugby.it/index.php?opti ... Itemid=425

Looks like mostly a rookie Namibia team played that match, their selected squad for qualifying is stronger than that.

Namibia are overall a bit weaker than last time. Rookies haven't had matches to gain experience due to Covid and some experienced players have retired. This is less an issue for teams they're facing, because not many of them have selection continuity over many years and players reaching 50+ caps. Also some of the talented younger guys are playing in strange places (PW Steenkamp is in Poland, Prince ǃGaoseb is in Israel), I'm not convinced those places will provide a good level to play at, CC 1st division is much stronger.

In the team selected for the qualifying tournament, there's an XV which is capable of beating Uruguay at the RWC (not sure about there being a full 23 capable of that though). There's also an XV that will struggle to even qualify. Which happens depends on Alister Coetzee.

On Zimbabwe. I watched some Goshawks games in the CC 1st division. Their level was the average for the CC 1st division, nothing to write home about, attack was very "shovel it sideways" and didn't bother the teams I saw them play. The side Zimbabwe have selected is the Goshawk team plus a few guys. On the plus side they have Brendon Dawson back as coach, he coached them to a very strong repechage finish when attempting to qualify for 2015 (they ran Russia close in the snow in Russia, Cronje at flyhalf getting injured hurt them badly in that match). Dawson should've remained in post, but was basically got rid of because he was white and most of the players from that team went the same way ... and that was the strongest Zim team of the last 2 or 3 decades.

On Kenya. I watched two of the Simba CC 1st division matches, they were maybe a bit stronger than the Goshawks, but there wasn't much in it and the Goshawks did beat the Simbas. Like the Zimbabwe team the Kenya team is almost all players that played in the CC 1st division.

It's not overwhelmingly clear Namibia qualify this time. CC 1st division gives a good indication, Simbas and Goshawks were bottom of the log with only Border below them. I would expect a higher finish by Namibia in that competition, but in a one off match it's not unthinkable that this Namibia team loses to a weaker CC 1st division team.

Wed Jun 29, 2022 10:33 am

Italy A will play a CC Champions team on Saturday.

Jimmy Stonehouse will coach a 30-man squad brimming with Springboks and Blitzboks, and blended with some of the most promising youngsters on the local provincial scene when they assemble in Nelson Mandela Bay on Monday for the second Carling Champions Match, scheduled for Saturday.

The Carling Champions Team that will face Italy ‘A’ at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium is made up of Carling Currie Cup players from around the country, as voted for by their fans.

Carling Champions Team: 15 Clayton Blommetjies (Toyota Cheetahs), 14 Daniel Kasende (Toyota Cheetahs), 13 David Brits (Toyota Cheetahs), 12 Cornal Hendricks (Vodacom Bulls), 11 Angelo Davids (DHL WP), 10 Siya Masuku (Toyota Cheetahs), 9 Keagan Johannes (Vodacom Bulls), 8 Mihlali Mosi (Toyota Cheetahs), 7 Sibusiso Sangweni (Sigma Lions), 6 Nama Xaba (DHL WP), 5 Janko Swanepoel (Vodacom Bulls), 4 Victor Sekekete (Toyota Cheetahs), 3 Robert Hunt (Vodacom Bulls), 2 Marnus van der Merwe (Toyota Cheetahs), 1 Simphiwe Matanzima (Vodacom Bulls).

Replacements: 16 Dan Jooste (Cell C Sharks), 17 Dewald Maritz (Airlink Pumas), 18 Kwenzo Blose (DHL WP), 19 Shane Kirkwood (Airlink Pumas), 20 Willie Engelbrecht (Airlink Pumas), 21 Embrose Papier (Vodacom Bulls), 22 Tristan Leyds (DHL WP), 23 Devon Williams (Airlink Pumas).

Additional players: Eduan Swart (Airlink Pumas), Keke Morabe (DHL WP), Andries Fouche (Airlink Pumas), Sanele Nohamba (Sigma Lions), Theo Boshoff (Windhoek Draught Griquas), Robert Ebersohn (Toyota Cheetahs), Alwayno Visagie (Airlink Pumas).

Wed Jun 29, 2022 10:41 am

Thanks for that Os.

The Kenya side is marginally stronger than what played in the CC1. Some of their key players, like Collins Injera, couldn't travel down to SA because they couldn't get time off work. But at home they fielded a much stronger side and won comfortably against the Leopards and EP.

But they seemed to have managed to rope in some of their bigger names for this tour.

Wed Jun 29, 2022 10:46 am

_Os_ wrote: Wed Jun 29, 2022 10:19 am
tabascoboy wrote: Tue Jun 28, 2022 5:00 pm A Namibia team in what I assume was a warm-up game lost 21 - 43 to an Italy A team in Cape Town last Friday. No idea about the relative strengths of the teams.

https://www.federugby.it/index.php?opti ... Itemid=425
Looks like mostly a rookie Namibia team played that match, their selected squad for qualifying is stronger than that.

Namibia are overall a bit weaker than last time. Rookies haven't had matches to gain experience due to Covid and some experienced players have retired. This is less an issue for teams they're facing, because not many of them have selection continuity over many years and players reaching 50+ caps. Also some of the talented younger guys are playing in strange places (PW Steenkamp is in Poland, Prince ǃGaoseb is in Israel), I'm not convinced those places will provide a good level to play at, CC 1st division is much stronger.

In the team selected for the qualifying tournament, there's an XV which is capable of beating Uruguay at the RWC (not sure about there being a full 23 capable of that though). There's also an XV that will struggle to even qualify. Which happens depends on Alister Coetzee.

On Zimbabwe. I watched some Goshawks games in the CC 1st division. Their level was the average for the CC 1st division, nothing to write home about, attack was very "shovel it sideways" and didn't bother the teams I saw them play. The side Zimbabwe have selected is the Goshawk team plus a few guys. On the plus side they have Brendon Dawson back as coach, he coached them to a very strong repechage finish when attempting to qualify for 2015 (they ran Russia close in the snow in Russia, Cronje at flyhalf getting injured hurt them badly in that match). Dawson should've remained in post, but was basically got rid of because he was white and most of the players from that team went the same way ... and that was the strongest Zim team of the last 2 or 3 decades.

On Kenya. I watched two of the Simba CC 1st division matches, they were maybe a bit stronger than the Goshawks, but there wasn't much in it and the Goshawks did beat the Simbas. Like the Zimbabwe team the Kenya team is almost all players that played in the CC 1st division.

It's not overwhelmingly clear Namibia qualify this time. CC 1st division gives a good indication, Simbas and Goshawks were bottom of the log with only Border below them. I would expect a higher finish by Namibia in that competition, but in a one off match it's not unthinkable that this Namibia team loses to a weaker CC 1st division team.

When Namibia have struggled most in the long distant past it was playing away to the North Africa teams, however Tunisia and Morocco aren't there and Algeria something of an unknown quantity still - but to some extent playing at home since their squad will likely be all from French clubs. Namibia's biggest struggle though was in the freakishly high scoring game many years ago where Madagascar's exuberance saw them to an unexpected and wildly exciting victory.

Burkina Faso, Senegal and Cote d'Ivoire moreso will probably have a fair sized French diaspora in their squad. If I had to go for a shock outsider I'd like it to be Uganda but in all honesty Zim and Kenya probably more likely to be the ones to challenge. With no Africa Cup 15s since 2018 there's not too much form to go on...

And there is also 1 Repechage place at stake too

Wed Jun 29, 2022 8:11 pm

assfly wrote: Wed Jun 29, 2022 10:41 am Thanks for that Os.

The Kenya side is marginally stronger than what played in the CC1. Some of their key players, like Collins Injera, couldn't travel down to SA because they couldn't get time off work. But at home they fielded a much stronger side and won comfortably against the Leopards and EP.

But they seemed to have managed to rope in some of their bigger names for this tour.

I did not know they had two squads, makes sense the Simba CC 1st division squad was very large when I was looking through it (but so was the Goshawk's). Leopards and EP beat the Goshawks heavily. I reckon that puts Zimbabwe comfortably behind Kenya.

It's between Kenya and Namibia for the spot then.

Thu Jun 30, 2022 8:39 am

I'd kind of forgotten about the Africa Rugby matches played last year, although it was a pre-qualifier for this year's finals, there were some interesting results such as Cote d'Ivoire beating Namibia 24 - 13 Kenya losing to Senegal and Algeria beating Uganda so it could be that we get some surprises.

We also have the Americas ( Chile v USA - winner > Finals ) and Asia zone ( Korea v Hong Kong - winner > repechage ) eliminators this month.

Fri Jul 01, 2022 4:49 pm

Namibia may cut loose in the 2nd half but on halftime Burkina Faso have kept them to a 24 - 0 lead. There is a huge disparity in the world rugby rankings of the teams, 24 vs 91

Score update 52 - 5 with 10 mins left. Final score 71 - 5

Zimbabwe were leading 26 - 11 over CIV with 15 mins left but haven't been able to get a score update

Sat Jul 02, 2022 9:31 am

It seems that the Africa qualifying tournament being held in France, means there's no streaming of any of the matches anywhere? It's been normal for years in Africa for matches at this level to be streamed.

The first semi final is Namibia v Zim, looking at both their most recent results against Cote d'Ivoire, that looks like a close match. Kenya look like they win their quarter and semi.

It's a bit of a fuck up if none of it is streamed. My guess is it's being run by World Rugby and they didn't think about streaming, but when it's in Africa local media companies can afford to cover it. In the semis and final there should be at least two good matches.

Sat Jul 02, 2022 9:44 am

One of those annoying things where streaming is limited by licenced TV broadcasts so there's no single place for it, you'd think World Rugby might provide a centralised stream for areas not covered by an exclusive license though.

France on Canal + Décalé,
in Sub-Saharan Africa on Canal+Sport 1,
in South Africa on SuperSport RUG
and in Zimbabwe on ZBC.

Sat Jul 02, 2022 9:54 am

_Os_ wrote: Sat Jul 02, 2022 9:31 am It seems that the Africa qualifying tournament being held in France, means there's no streaming of any of the matches anywhere? It's been normal for years in Africa for matches at this level to be streamed.

The first semi final is Namibia v Zim, looking at both their most recent results against Cote d'Ivoire, that looks like a close match. Kenya look like they win their quarter and semi.

It's a bit of a fuck up if none of it is streamed. My guess is it's being run by World Rugby and they didn't think about streaming, but when it's in Africa local media companies can afford to cover it. In the semis and final there should be at least two good matches.

It is being streamed. I think you might need to do some digging on Twitter for a link, as it doesn't appear to be on Twitter. Kenya's game last night was on the K24 website, a Kenyan news website. Try this link at kick-off: https://live.k24tv.co.ke/

Sat Jul 02, 2022 5:02 pm

Kenya beat Uganda 42 - 7. Well one Francophone nation will be in the semis out of Senegal and Algeria in the last 1/4 final.

And it's confirmed by Rugby Afrique that no independent streaming via Facebook or Youtube will be provided due to the exclusivity of TV rights, so that Kenyan site remains the only option it seems

Algeria lead Senegal 13 - 12 at halftime. Ended 35 - 12

Sun Jul 03, 2022 5:55 am

So it's Zimbabwe vs Namibia and Kenya vs Algeria on Wednesday.

That's a tough turnaround, but I guess player wellfare doesn't count for tier 2.

Wed Jul 06, 2022 5:14 pm

Kenya v Algeria is being streamed.

Tough first half, second half just started. Kenya leading 21-14. Either look capable of winning.

Wed Jul 06, 2022 5:16 pm

Streaaming at https://live.k24tv.co.ke

Algeria pushed over for another try. 21 - 21

Wed Jul 06, 2022 5:44 pm

Also on our main rugby channel 211

Wed Jul 06, 2022 6:07 pm

Crazy second half and good defence by Kenya to win it at the end. Kenya are made of papier-mache in the set piece and tight though.

Either Nam or Zim are going to target their scrum/lineout and maul and carry close in against them.

Wed Jul 06, 2022 7:10 pm

Same link has Zim v Nam. 6 minutes in 0 - 0. Decent pace on the match.

Greyling just scored for Namibia.

Wed Jul 06, 2022 9:26 pm

Zim gave Namibia some trouble for most of the first half, Namibia win comfortably though. Not a vintage Namibia team, still have some very strong areas (set piece and maul) that will match/beat most sides. The 9/10 of Stevens/Loubser is decent too, Stevens went to Boishaai (something for oom to get excited about).

The good guys knock over one of Assfly's teams, final against the other Assfly is on Sunday.

Thu Jul 07, 2022 5:40 am

Very sad to see the Zim result

looks like we have a decent team, but it just seems every four year cycle ends with us being beaten by Namibia for the RWC spot. Let's hope this core team can stick together and push for the Africa Gold Cup.

Kenya made hard work of the Algeria win, like Os said their maul defence was like watching kids play against adults. I hope they haven't already played their final.

Thu Jul 07, 2022 7:24 am

assfly wrote: Thu Jul 07, 2022 5:40 am Very sad to see the Zim result looks like we have a decent team, but it just seems every four year cycle ends with us being beaten by Namibia for the RWC spot. Let's hope this core team can stick together and push for the Africa Gold Cup.

Kenya made hard work of the Algeria win, like Os said their maul defence was like watching kids play against adults. I hope they haven't already played their final.

The actual scores: Result of Kenya - Algeria was 36 - 33, a very hard fought win indeed. And in the other game Namibia 34 - 19 Zimbabwe

Thu Jul 07, 2022 7:33 am

_Os_ wrote: Wed Jul 06, 2022 9:26 pm Zim gave Namibia some trouble for most of the first half, Namibia win comfortably though. Not a vintage Namibia team, still have some very strong areas (set piece and maul) that will match/beat most sides. The 9/10 of Stevens/Loubser is decent too, Stevens went to Boishaai (something for oom to get excited about).

The good guys knock over one of Assfly's teams, final against the other Assfly is on Sunday.

lots of Namibian pupils in Gim, Boishaai, Boland Landbou and Paul Roos.

Lorenzo Julies playing for WP XV is a Namibian. May make SA Schools

Sat Jul 09, 2022 9:21 am

Korea vs Hong Kong at

Hong Kong lead 8 - 0 despite a red card against them in the first minute!

Hong Kong won 23 - 21 so progress to the Asia/Pacific play off to face Tonga

Sat Jul 09, 2022 5:37 pm

frodder wrote: Sat Oct 03, 2020 9:33 am
Un Pilier wrote: Fri Oct 02, 2020 9:32 pm Nobody going to mention Wales in tier 1 then? Just askin.
Well, yeah

That post aged well

Sat Jul 09, 2022 6:13 pm

tabascoboy wrote: Sat Jul 09, 2022 9:21 am Korea vs Hong Kong at

Hong Kong lead 8 - 0 despite a red card against them in the first minute!

Hong Kong won 23 - 21 so progress to the Asia/Pacific play off to face Tonga

Sad Korea didn't make it

Sun Jul 10, 2022 3:32 pm

In the Americas Zone play-off, USA beat Chile 22 - 21 in terrible, rain-sodden conditions in Santiago, so they have the advantage with the return match at home next weekend at Glendale, Colorado, but the qualification spot still very much up for grabs for both teams.

Sun Jul 10, 2022 8:01 pm

Namibia seem to be safely on their way to the RWC finals, 15 - 0 up against Kenya. Meanwhile Algeria beat Zimbabwe 20 - 12 for 3rd place

Sun Jul 10, 2022 10:27 pm

Namibia

Mon Jul 11, 2022 5:21 am

Sad, but predictable.

The four year cycle to beat Namibia begins again.

Thankfully Zimbabwe and Kenya have some good U20s coming through, so will hopefully be able to push for the spot in the next round.

Mon Jul 11, 2022 7:46 am

Well Kenya still have a chance through the repechage, but think they'll be distinct underdogs against Portugal, Tonga/Hong Kong and Chile/USA

Sat Jul 16, 2022 9:13 pm

A new face at the RWC finals! Chile manage to squeeze a 1 point aggregate victory 52 - 51 over the USA

Sun Jul 17, 2022 10:06 am

USA v Chile highlights

Sun Jul 17, 2022 10:11 am

tabascoboy wrote: Sun Jul 17, 2022 10:06 am USA v Chile highlights

Incredible scenes

Sun Jul 17, 2022 9:12 pm

Slick wrote: Sun Jul 17, 2022 10:11 am
tabascoboy wrote: Sun Jul 17, 2022 10:06 am USA v Chile highlights

Incredible scenes

There's some skill and talent in that team, as some of those highlights show. Lots of exciting stuff happening in South American rugby (the less said about North American rugby, the better)

Their flyhalf Rodrigo Fernandez is a dazzling player. I guarantee he's going to put up at least one big highlight moment next fall. Scored and created some spectacular tries against us and the Canadians.

https://youtu.be/dN2OpM3XQwE?t=425

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OS3bTRr ... mPortunHol

Sun Jul 17, 2022 9:23 pm

assfly wrote: Mon Jul 11, 2022 5:21 am Sad, but predictable.

The four year cycle to beat Namibia begins again.

Thankfully Zimbabwe and Kenya have some good U20s coming through, so will hopefully be able to push for the spot in the next round.

Real tough luck for Zimbabwe the way the draw shook out, IMO they were pretty clearly the second best team, but since they played Namibia in the semis it will be Kenya advancing to the repechage as runners up.

Idk if it's been determined yet, but if not, I get a feeling this may be the last 20 team RWC. Especially if USA starts having trouble qualifying.

For the record, I do not think we will beat Portugal. It's probable at this point that the US will not be in France next year.

Mon Jul 18, 2022 2:28 am

tabascoboy wrote: Sun Jul 17, 2022 10:06 am USA v Chile highlights

Chile showed more creativity in their attacking play than the ABs on Saturday.

Sat Jul 23, 2022 9:31 am

Tonga have won the latest RWC qualification game beating Hong Kong 44 - 22, two late tries for HK made the score more respectable. They join Georgia, Ireland, Scotland and reigning Champions South Africa in pool B.

Hong Kong join Portugal, Kenya and the USA in the round-robin play-offs for the 20th and final RWC place in November.