Rugby World Cup 2023
- Thread starter Elpenor
- Start date
they started and finished the half all over the All Blacks 
fucthest8
Cool people die horrible, preventable deaths.
Haven't got the commentary on but yeah, there are better ways to organise that experience than once-every-four-years thrashings, you learn fuck all from that
flypanam
Sausage to fortune
It would make sense if there was a Plate competition for the sides knocked out if the group stages, World Rugby are unlikely to do it though because of costs.
A380
How do I change this 'custom title' thing then?
I’ve long thought there should be a post group stage plate. With multi channel TV and some of the modern smaller stadiums (or modern ones with flexible seating) it could be achieved. Especially if they stuck with this weekend only format for the cup and did the plate mid week.
They've got it completely wrong this time round. As someone on the guardian comments bit mentioned, there's not really a truly competitive match for another two weeks, just training runs really for the big boys. It must be frustrating for the teams and their coaching staff themselves. I can't remember - is this the first time they've made it two months long?
gawkrodger
Well-Known Member
I dunno, Portugal are playing Australia later 
I dunno, Portugal are playing Australia later
God that must be a deflated team. I almost feel sorry for them. Almost.
two sheds
Least noticed poster 2007
Or have a knockout between the tier II teams and have the finalists join the top 14 in the group stages? Might also reduce the number of overall games, the whole tournament is taking far too long I'm surprised nobody has mentioned that.
Just watched the Fiji game, my favourite bit was Commentator 1 talking about Georgian kicker: “That’s absolutely enormous …” Commentator 2: “with a pair of legs like that, that is gigantic"
Just watched the Fiji game, my favourite bit was Commentator 1 talking about Georgian kicker: “That’s absolutely enormous …” Commentator 2: “with a pair of legs like that, that is gigantic"
Thank you. I assume that was for me.The problem with 2 months is the wind goes out of the sails. If the football world cup, the biggest sporting event in the world (and i think it's bigger than the olympics really), can get it done in 28 days I don't know why rugby needs twice that time.
A380
How do I change this 'custom title' thing then?
The problem with 2 months is the wind goes out of the sails. If the football world cup, the biggest sporting event in the world (and i think it's bigger than the olympics really), can get it done in 28 days I don't know why rugby needs twice that time.
I’d argue that in association soccer ball the main focus is on the domestic leagues. EPL, the South American ones and to a very slightly lesser extent the European ones- I don’t know enough about the position in Africa.
Whereas in Rugby (sadly) because there isn’t really enough money in the sport the focus is more on the international game , WC, six nations and rugby championship.
That’s my theory anyway. It might not be right.
There might be, and I don’t like this much, a case for a European Premiership.
littlebabyjesus
one of Maxwell's demons
They've lengthened it by a week to give players more rest between games. Not a bad idea.
I think they just have to be realistic about how many competitive countries there are in the world. As said above, four groups of four would work and would shorten the tournament.
There's no shame in that. The game is what it is, it is popular where it is. But I don't think the problem is the WC. The problem is the closed shop six nations and rugby championship. Promotion/relegation in those would help to spread the game, but that is extremely unlikely to happen cos money.
In the Six Nations, the winner from the second tier comp (usually Georgia) could play off against the bottom team in the Six Nations (usually Italy). But in the days of TV money, the loss of revenue to Italy of even just a year spent in the second tier comp would be considerable.
The Rugby Championship could be expanded to include five or six teams? Add in the likes of Japan and Fiji, and again have a promotion/relegation play off with the winner of a second tier comp.
It's the age-old problem of many sports that aren't quite worldwide - same in cricket - where there is a conflict between expanding the game and the interests of the established players in making money.
The southern hemisphere obvs has a whole lot more headaches in terms of travel time so the logistics would be difficult. Fiji's got a team in Super Rugby now and that's immediately showing.
I've been to a game in Georgia. It's hugely popular. They deserve a seat at the top table at the expense of Italy IMO.
These are elite athletes though and I don't know why they need two weeks to recover from playing on average 60 minutes each. It seems like an age since France tonked the All Blacks.
fucthest8
Cool people die horrible, preventable deaths.
Andy Goode clearly reads this thread
