[Adder]

There should be enough comment around this event to justify it's own space. Kicks off Friday 8th September with France v New Zealand.

[Adder]

A couple of attention grabbing performances by Fiji and Samoa this weekend. The likes of Fiji and Samoa are almost certainly benefitting the most, rightly so, from the new law allowing players to switch countries 3 years after playing for another country, provided they meet qualification rules.

The law was brought in in January 2022 -  'a player will be able to represent a different country after a stand-down period of three years. A player can move to a nation of their, their parents' or grandparents' birth, but can only switch allegiance once'.

This rule was aimed at especially benefitting the Pacific nations as for many years their top talent has been plucked at young ages by the tier 1 giants especially NZ and Australia. The rule means that if these players fall out of favour with the 'new country' they can revert back to their country of nationality. I'm not sure how many cases there are of this to date but I suspect it's now kicking in with the Pacific Island nations.
Wales have one example in their squad in Henry Thomas who has played 7 times for England but has now switched to Wales on the grounds of his father being Welsh. Scotland have at least 1 example. I'm less keen on this type of switch but the rule should rightly benefit the pacific island nations most as they've been preyed on for too long.....even if it will cause many more challenging days for the traditional rugby 'powers'.

[Baggies]

Tonga seem to be the biggest beneficery, although they have subsequently left out players like Israel Folau and I can't say the players have made much of a difference so far.

A good rule change though, a rae decision to benefit those outside tier 1. All we need now is for a side from Georgia to get a place in the URC and a bit more care given to Japan and the other developing nations.

[leeiswba]

Got a weekend over for this.

Heading to New Zealand v Namibia, Ireland v Tonga & England v Japan

[liverbaggie]

Say hello to Queenstown

[Baggies]

Rugby World Cup week, time for the countdown.

It promises to be arguably the best world cup of all time. Thanks to the lop-sided draw, 3 of the 4 groups have real jeapordy, while the quarter finals will also provide us with 4 impossible to call games (the semi finals may prove to be more lop sided but then anything can happen).

For those looking for a quick guide, I've done my best.

Pool A:
Starts the tournament with a bang on Friday night, hosts France vs the famous All Blacks. Sadly, that's where Group A peaks. Of the 10 games in the group, there are only 2 where the result isn't already near certain. Italy will beat Namibia and Uruguay, but lose to New Zealand and France, the game at the end of the month between Namibia v Uruguay to avoid the wooden spoon is the only other intriguing match up. Hopefully Namibia can get their first ever world cup win.

Pool B:
Group of death. 3 of the top 5 teams in the world competing for 2 spots. Ireland world number 1, but famous for under performing at world cups. A South African Springbocks team that looked formidable vs New Zealand last week. A Scotland team who on their day are now a match for anyone. Throw in a Tonga side benefitting from the relaxation of player eligibility rules and the Moana Pa ifica club side, while they have flattered to deceive in the warm ups, they may get better as the tournament goes on and will target the Scotland game as their biggest hope for a shock. A special mention for Romania, who if people I follow on twitter are to be believed, may well be playing in their final world cup before fading away as a rugby nation. I'd love them to get a plucky win vs Tonga and maybe remind Romanians that they can be good at the sport.

Pool C:
It would 100% be the most exciting group if it didn't feel like it came out at every tournament (Wales Fiji have been paired together for the last 4, Wales Australia Fiji for the last 3 and now Wales, Australia, Fiji and Georgia twice on the trot). Even then, this time it feels different. Fiji go into the tournament as the highest ranking team. A win vs England wasn't a fluke, the Fijian Drua club side now play in the Southern Hemisphere Super Rugby Championship, helping the all round game of the national team. Throw them in vs  an experimental and struggling Aussie side and a Wales side who don't look any better and they could easily top the group and get a favourable quarter final. You then have a Georgia side who have beaten Wales in the last year or so, who some believe could actually topple the Aussies and potentially challenege for 2nd place. Is it possible for Fiji and Georgia to go through? Portugal finish off the group, plucky, but likely to be cannon fodder.

Pool D;
England are so, so lucky to get this group, yet even this might not be enough. Argentina look odds on to beat us on Saturday. We will get past debutants Chile and we are facing Japan at the right time (they aren't the side of 4 or 8 years ago), but Samoa are possibly on the road back to being the side of 20 years ago. They are benefitting from the Moana Pacifica club side in super rugby and there seems to be less upheaval at home. That final group game vs England looks likely to be the 2nd place decider and their players will have gelled together by then with the home grown talent and the 2nd gen Kiwis and Aussies who have recently joined the side.

[Baggies]

What's everyone's predictions then a week out? I'll put my neck on the line.

Pool A - France top, New Zeland 2nd
Pool B - South Africa top, Ireland 2nd
Pool C - Wales top, Fiji 2nd (it could just as easily be Australia, Georgia on points difference, I doubt any sides goes undefeated)
Pool D - Argentina top, England 2nd - just

Quarter finals Wales beat England, New Zealand beat South Africa, Argentina beat Fiji and France beat Ireland

Semi finals New Zealand beat Wales, France beat Argentina

France beat New Zealand in the final

All that said, Ireland have been proving everyone wrong for 2 years now, it's only.thw leasure getting to them that I'm banking on at the moment. They were amazingly calm in the 6 nations though, if they top their group then maybe it will be them vs France in the final.

[liverbaggie]

As a born & bred proud Englishman i obviously support England, i have Welsh heritage somewhere down the line and i love to watch Wale's pure rugby, however my wife, born n bred in England with Irish heritage, this is how i see this WC
England - no chance
Wales - no chance
Ireland - Champions
So in a way i cant lose, but....
I would love to see a rampant Irish team as world champions, itd be great for world rugby

[WBAinDEVON]

England probably the weakest they have ever been as a team

[Mikkyk]

For me, at least one of Wales and England don't get out the group - and spunk their chance at the easy half of the draw.

Also not sure France are as strong as suggested. I think they peaked in 2022 6N's, then have lost Ntamack to injury who is a big player for them, and most recently brought in this guy who supposedly did a racially motivated attack a few years back which has created a lot of media attention.

[elmo_in_swansea]

Cant see England getting out of the group, kept Eddie Jones in the job far too long and theyre full of big time Charlies now with places almost guaranteed{where have I seen that before }
Steve Borthwick, not long enough in the job, but is he strong enough to make the big calls required?

[Adder]

Hoping that Baggies predictions are correct as far as Wales getting to the semis goes 
The draw is top-heavy with the top half containing the current top 5 in the rankings but it does mean there are some crunch games from the first weekend.
France being injury affected and NZ's recent form being very variable makes Friday's opener tough to predict. I go for NZ to edge it but whatever happens Friday both teams should emerge from that group without much trouble.
Sunday is a big day with South Africa v Scotland and Wales v Fiji. South Africa should eventually prove too strong for Scotland.
The current world rankings in Group D show Fiji ranked 7, Australia 9, Wales 10, Georgia 11 so it's definitely the other group to keep an eye on. It'll be a nervy watch (again) no doubt but with a fully fit squad and under maybe less pressure than in the past against Fiji I'm hoping Wales can edge it.
I'm sticking with South Africa to win the whole thing even though they'll have to do it the hard way by getting out of the toughest group and almost certainly needing to beat either France or NZ in the quarters.
 

[beechyboy90]

Hoping that Baggies predictions are correct as far as Wales getting to the semis goes 
The draw is top-heavy with the top half containing the current top 5 in the rankings but it does mean there are some crunch games from the first weekend.
France being injury affected and NZ's recent form being very variable makes Friday's opener tough to predict. I go for NZ to edge it but whatever happens Friday both teams should emerge from that group without much trouble.
Sunday is a big day with South Africa v Scotland and Wales v Fiji. South Africa should eventually prove too strong for Scotland.
The current world rankings in Group D show Fiji ranked 7, Australia 9, Wales 10, Georgia 11 so it's definitely the other group to keep an eye on. It'll be a nervy watch (again) no doubt but with a fully fit squad and under maybe less pressure than in the past against Fiji I'm hoping Wales can edge it.
I'm sticking with South Africa to win the whole thing even though they'll have to do it the hard way by getting out of the toughest group and almost certainly needing to beat either France or NZ in the quarters.

Think england Scotland and Wales have good chance to go out in group stages. Not sure what odds you would get on all 3.

I watched the boks v all blacks at Twickenham the other week. South African power is ridiculous and they caused new Zealand alot of issues. However the all blacks played about half the game with 14 and and a further 10 mins with 13. But anyway when the all blacks started fizzing the ball around even when down men they looked very good. I said to my old man we are watching the future world Champs tonight.

The French when play fast ball are very good and arguably have the best scrum half in the world and have frightening speed. The thing with the world cup is the games come thick and fast injuries will happen as will fatigue so you never know. Fancy Argentina to get quite far being on the "kinder" side of the draw

[Adder]

Think england Scotland and Wales have good chance to go out in group stages. Not sure what odds you would get on all 3.

I watched the boks v all blacks at Twickenham the other week. South African power is ridiculous and they caused new Zealand alot of issues. However the all blacks played about half the game with 14 and and a further 10 mins with 13. But anyway when the all blacks started fizzing the ball around even when down men they looked very good. I said to my old man we are watching the future world Champs tonight.

The French when play fast ball are very good and arguably have the best scrum half in the world and have frightening speed. The thing with the world cup is the games come thick and fast injuries will happen as will fatigue so you never know. Fancy Argentina to get quite far being on the "kinder" side of the draw

Yes it's not that hard to picture all 3 of Wales, Scotland, England going out in the groups. Scotland and Wales are 3rd ranked in their groups in terms of current world rankings. England would have the most cause for embarrassment if they failed to get through but we know they are anything but settled.
I think the games are better spaced in this competition to be fair. I haven't studied the fixture dates in detail but I know the Wales games are quite well spread. I think they have taken player welfare into account a bit more. It can never be perfect, the shortest turnaround is 6 days I think between quarter and semi-finals.
Saying that injuries will certainly happen...and there will be red card controversies. 6 days is a short turn-around but when you get to the later stages there needs to be some continuity to the tournament.

[Baggies]

Fiji's first choice gly half Caleb Muntz out of the tournament with injury. Awful news, many were banking in Fiji lighting up the tournament. That just got a little bit harder

[LiamTheBaggie]

Why is this England team so bad?

Four years ago they were runners up. Surely the likes of Itoje, Curry, Genge, George, Lawes to name but a few haven’t regressed that badly. Throw in the likes of Underhill, Ludlum, Smith etc then there was the chance to go one better this time.

It feels like a massive fall from grace.

[beechyboy90]

Why is this England team so bad?

Four years ago they were runners up. Surely the likes of Itoje, Curry, Genge, George, Lawes to name but a few haven’t regressed that badly. Throw in the likes of Underhill, Ludlum, Smith etc then there was the chance to go one better this time.

It feels like a massive fall from grace.

Kept Eddie Jones too long. Current incumbent hadn't really worked out if he's going to try out and bring through new players or stick with old guard and has done a halfway house and it hasn't really worked. Unfortunately not a good time to be in transition a world cup year

[SmethDan]

Ireland clumping Romania 75-8.

[BlackCountryPride68]

Whoever came up with the choir idea needs guillotining tout de suite.

[Baggies]

Whoever came up with the choir idea needs guillotining tout de suite.

rubbish idea isn't it

[Baggies]

England are ****** with these new hyper sensitive tackle rules. We've always been the worst disciplined side in world rugby and it's near enough a red every single game now. Two minutes in today? The Argies lucky to stay with 15 men given the thresholds nowadays, unsure what mitigation there was given our red card, but it is telling that most sides are still managing to keep 15 players on the pitch while we last 2 minutes.

I have a lot of time for Kevin Sinfield, but I don't see what he is bringing to this set up as defence coach.

[MarkW]

George Ford taking it back to 2003 to get us in front at half time. Impressive stuff

[Baggies]

The best performance of the Borthwick era and the best performance by George Ford in an England shirt, weird given he was third choice fly half not that long ago. Getting 27 points on the trot after going down to 14 men takes some doing. As soon as I post that Sinfield as the defence coach wasn't working, our defence then looked sensational. The only downside was that we didn't score a try and everything once again came from.the boot, but beggars can't be choosers.

We beat the pre game favourites with 14 men and now have 1 foot in the Quarter Finals. Ford has to keep his place there now and its difficult to make a case for Farrell coming back in at centre.

The Argentina vs Samoa game all of a sudden becomes the big decider.

[liverbaggie]

Well if i had a hat id take it off for england tonight
Ive written them off as we all did, but that was a historic game for me, a man down for 85 mins against a higher ranked team, we thrashed them tonight, i wont carried away but magic tonight from England

[Mikkyk]

I mean all Borthwick said pre tournament was we'll be ready for September 9th.

It felt like hearsay with some of the most disjointed performances I've seen from a talented sports team in a long time.

But fair play they turned up last night - just have to hope that wasn't an early peak, but they executed game plan very well.

[liverbaggie]

Why no names on back of shirts?

[MarkW]

Why no names on back of shirts?

Some teams do seem to have them. I think England did. Must be kit manufacturer's/team's choice

[Adder]

Wales get the vital win against Fiji 32-26. Hell of a game, good and bad from both sides. Good game for the neutral.

[Baggies]

Round 1 of the group games over and a World cup that promised the most competetive group stage ever and a potential shifting of the International sands, produces a set of results that on paper atleast, doesn't suggest much change at all.

Romania did take an early lead vs Ireland before being annihilated, as did Chile vs Japan before the inevitable happened. Australia saw off Georgia fairly comfortably, Scotland were despatched by South Africa and Italy found it very easy vs Namibia. Even England managed to get the victory with 14 men vs Argentina, while Fiji fell short against a Wales side who haven't fired on all cylinders for a few years now. The Fiji result was maybe unfortunate. Fiji went over the try line on 3 separate occasions where a try wasn't awarded due to failed grounding, while they lost the ball 5-10 yards from the try line a handful of other times, most painfully in stoppage time as the potentially match winning try went begging. They might hurt Australia yet, but missing Caleb Muntz is possibly hurting them. Maybe this world cup is 1 or 2 years too early.

Only really France beating New Zealand - the Kiwi's first ever group stage loss - hinted at something different, but they were favourites.

Over to Tonga, Samoa and Uruguay next round to show what they can do.

[Adder]

Felt for Fiji. It was a huge game for both sides. Fiji were unfazed by going 8-0 down early on and really tested the Welsh defence many times and came very close on several occasions. Wales also may have got off lightly on the yellow card front once or twice. Fiji will kick themselves for the missed opportunity at the end and a couple of straightforward kicks missed (doubtful they'd have kicked the conversion if they had finished off that last chance). A mention for the Josh Adam's tackle on the Fiji winger going at full tilt.
 
Fiji will have to regroup with a fairly quick 6 day turnaround before the Australia game. On the evidence of Saturday night, Australia and Wales will be keen to win the group and have a quarter final against Argentina rather than England....though Argentina should improve on their abject display.

[LiamTheBaggie]

I thought Fiji were excellent in parts - some questionable refereeing in that second half. Given the amount of penalties conceded on the try line I’m really surprised that Wales did not pick up another yellow card or two.

[Baggies]

I thought the reason we were getting so many red cards was down to us being a lot less disciplined than the rest of the world, but already this tournament I've seen very similar tackles to the ones we have been penalised for going unpunished. The latest one being in this France v Uruguay game where a French tackler makes contact with a Uruguayan head and not wrapping his arms but still only getting a yellow.

I don't like saying everyone hates the English, but...

[Baggies]

Interesting second round in the end.

3 of the big 4 steamrolled their tier 2 opponents, as expected. On a brighter note, Uruguay did very well against a second choice France side and were within touching distance for most of the game. Portugal also put in a respectable performance vs Wales and will be interesting opponents for Georgia and even Fiji, who would have wanted to rest some players for the game but would now be wise to name a stronger side.

England huffed and puffed their way to a win over Japan that was harder than the score line suggested, but the real result of the round was Fiji beating Australia to set up an incredible final 2 rounds. Fiji still need to navigate an opponent in Georgia who they have lost and drew to in their last 6 encounters, but if they can get bonus point wins in their last 2 games, it puts Australia and even Wales in difficult positions. My pre tournament prediction was for Wales 1st, Fiji 2nd. I expect on the showings so far for Wales to edge Australia and to knock them out, but it could still go either way and Georgia could yet have a say in proceedings.

[Adder]

Currently in Toulon having seen impressive Portugal showing against mediocre mostly 2nd string Wales. Looking forward to being in Lyon for the crunch Wales v Australia game next Sunday. Australia will be getting slated at home and must win that game. Fiji will now have some momentum and time to recover before their final 2 games. Interesting to watch this unfold.

[Albionic]

Adder, what's ticket availability like on the ground?
Not bothered about big sides

[Adder]

Adder, what's ticket availability like on the ground?
Not bothered about big sides

We had tickets sorted a while back but not sure on current situation.
I'd say have a look at official RWC 23 site https://tickets.rugbyworldcup.com
There seem to be tickets plus resale tickets available for quite a few games.

[Albionic]

We had tickets sorted a while back but not sure on current situation.
I'd say have a look at official RWC 23 site https://tickets.rugbyworldcup.com
There seem to be tickets plus resale tickets available for quite a few games.

Cool, cheers fella

[Adder]

Albionic -, I've spoken to a couple of friends who are better up on the current ticket situation than I am - apologies as there seems to be less availability than I thought. They are very thin on ground now.
Best places to look -
 There's the official RWC app which gives the current ticket situation.  It's worth keeping an eye on resales as people may pull out for various reasons and limited tickets may appear.
Apparently Twickets is another site /app which is worth checking. Face value tickets. You can put an alert on any match you are thinking of and it tells you when one becomes available....but you have to be quick off the mark.
Good luck if you decide to go for it.

[leeiswba]

Just got back from a weekend over there.

A lot of travelling which was tiring but managed to see NZ v Namibia, Ireland v Tonga & England v Japan.

Best place for tickets is the official website, just keep checking as some come available and there is resale tickets.

We looked every day for months and managed to bag Cat 4 tickets for the three games so only cost £120 all in for tickets.

[SmethDan]

Just got back from a weekend over there.

A lot of travelling which was tiring but managed to see NZ v Namibia, Ireland v Tonga & England v Japan.

Best place for tickets is the official website, just keep checking as some come available and there is resale tickets.

We looked every day for months and managed to bag Cat 4 tickets for the three games so only cost £120 all in for tickets.

How many of you were there? Looks like it's cheaper to buy tickets for the rugby world cup than adult tickets on the Tilton in the Championship...... OK so it's more expensive to get there than it is getting to Small Heath but the salient point remains the same  .

[leeiswba]

How many of you were there? Looks like it's cheaper to buy tickets for the rugby world cup than adult tickets on the Tilton in the Championship...... OK so it's more expensive to get there than it is getting to Small Heath but the salient point remains the same  .

  That’s £120 each person.

On your second point it depends where you are coming from as the flight to Toulouse was only £19 booked back in February

[Baggies]

Bad news from last night's France Namibia game, the world's best player Antoine Dupont has fractured his cheek and looks unlikely to play again this tournament. A major blow to France and the tournament as a whole. Their first choice half back pairing are now both out injured.

I'd say that removes France as favourites. Ireland, South Africa or New Zealand for me now.

[Baggies]

Bittersweet weekend so far for somebody who wants to see this World Cup expand the games horizons a bit.

England smash Chile, with some promising options appearing with Smith at 15 and Arundell showing something we have missed for a few years, but it comes at the expense of the only debutant at this years tournament. This England side shouldn’t really be smashing anyone by 70 points.

Portugal and Georgia play out one of the games of the tournament, making it 2 impressive appearances in 2 for a Portugal side who might have the population and financial muscle to catch the eye of the Six Nations, but it means Georgia will probably go winless this tournament. That will give the powers that be the excuse to exclude them not just from the six nations, but also from the planned 2026 12 team invitational tournament that is in the pipeline.

Then you have Ireland beating South Africa to back up their world number 1 ranking, but in doing so it increases the likelihood of an All Southern Hemisphere final as it probably splits up the top 2 European sides in the quarter finals. South Africa missed a few kicks tonight, there is already talk that the more free wheeling Libbok may be replaced by the better kicker in Pollard. They will go into the likely Quarter Final vs France slight favourites due to the latters injury woes.

Dupont has had a metal plate fitted in his cheek and Edwards is saying he might be back for the quarter final but I have some doubts.

So yeah, not sure what to think of it so far. Fingers crossed Wales best Australia and maybe Tonga shoe they are developing with the ex pat players.

[Baggies]

More knowledgeable members will be able to correct me, but is the second set of quarter finals near enough sewn up now?

On paper there are still 3 or 4 banana skin games that could change things, but I don’t see Wales losing to Georgia now, or England losing to Samoa, not on current from anyway. Georgia/Portugal vs Fiji might yet be the one if they catch the Fijians on an off day, but it’s looking like it should be Wales v Argentina and England v Fiji for the right to get beaten by one of the big 4 in the semi finals.

[Adder]

More knowledgeable members will be able to correct me, but is the second set of quarter finals near enough sewn up now?

On paper there are still 3 or 4 banana skin games that could change things, but I don’t see Wales losing to Georgia now, or England losing to Samoa, not on current from anyway. Georgia/Portugal vs Fiji might yet be the one if they catch the Fijians on an off day, but it’s looking like it should be Wales v Argentina and England v Fiji for the right to get beaten by one of the big 4 in the semi finals.

Yes I think that's a fair summing up of the situation (I don't claim to be any more knowledgeable by the way).
I'm just back after 11 days in France and attending last nights Wales v Australia match. Wales started fast, were disciplined, defensively good and took most of the right options. Australia were decent in the first 30 minutes but abject after that. It was a strange feeling after the game to be slightly disappointed that Wales' comfortable win wasn't the nail biter that would have made for more of a spectacle.
Lots of worried Aussie fans around, concerned about the rugby union future as Aussie Rules, rugby league and football are all more popular in the country these days.
 

[Adder]

A pretty low key round of games just completed this weekend.
Scotland the only home nation in action who predictably hammered Romania 84-0.
New Zealand demolished Italy 96-17.

Next weekend looks far more interesting. Wales have already qualified but need to pick up a minimum of a losing bonus point against Georgia to guarantee topping the group. Assuming that happens their opponents will be the winners of the Argentina v Japan game on Sunday.
England are already guaranteed to win Pool D and play Samoa on Saturday.
Saturday's biggest game is Ireland v Scotland. There are some complicated permutations in this pool but I think the simplest and most realistic summary is Scotland must beat Ireland and deny the Irish a bonus point (i.e. win by at least an 8 point margin) to finish second on the head-to-head rule with South Africa topping the pool. There is even a permutation that would see South Africa go out.
Ireland are potential winners of the competition and I think they'll will have too much power and ability in their pack for Scotland but if the Scots can get off to a good start things could get very interesting. Certainly one to watch.

[Baggies]

Samoa saved their best performance for us, earmarked this game as one to be concerned about pre tournament. We were saved by Danny Care’s late cameo at both ends of the pitch. His tackle at the death stopped a certain try and a 2nd loss to Tier 2 opposition in just over a month. I am convinced that Italy will get their first ever win against us under Borthwick’s reign.

Farrell didn’t learn his lesson. He was let off for letting the penalty clock run out on him first half, let it happen again and becomes the first player in World Cup history to get timed out. He has become a liability now. Ford and Smith offer more going forward and his tackle technique makes him a danger in defence. I don’t follow club rugby like I once did, but he can’t be the best option we have at his age now.

Fiji will surely be slight favourites when we face them next week.

[elmo_in_swansea]

Farrell needs to be pensioned off! Being timed out is criminal. His place kicking has gone well off the boil too, I think he's becoming a liability!

[Adder]

Meanwhile, Wales were moderate against Georgia but were comfortable enough winners in the end and it's confirmed that they'll meet Argentina next Saturday in the quarters. Faletau is out with a broken arm which is a serious blow to Wales.

Ireland were pretty awesome against Scotland. They have the ability to suffocate teams with their ability and efficiency. Other teams will have to hope they have an off day somewhere along the line, they seemingly have no weaknesses. New Zealand will have had an extra couple of days to prepare for the quarter final clash but Ireland's recent record against NZ is very good. NZ won't have had a meaningful contest since playing France on the opening night, while Ireland have gone into top gear twice against South Africa and Scotland.... we'll see who is sharper on the night.

[liverbaggie]

I want young Smith in the side for creativity and speed of thought, it. Looks to heavy and predictable with farrell in the team, hes got to go

[liverbaggie]

Its ireland all the way for me, they are super fit and think on the field as a team, fantastic to watch,
Ireland v France would be fab with the irish winning  it, my wife will be happy anyway

[Baggies]

Group stages conclude, with 3 of the best games of the tournament taking place over the final weekend in Japan v Argentina, England v Samoa and then finally Fiji v Portugal. Portugal Fiji in particular was everything you want a Rugby game to be. Its made the back pages of Portugal's sports papers which is a big positive for the growth of the game. Its a huge shame they we are now going to shut out improving nations like Portugal, Georgia, Samoa and Uruguay with the introduction of a World League which will only feature the big 10 tier 1 nations plus it seems Japan and Fiji.

Onto the Quarter finals, a lot has been been said about the 3 year old world cup draw bunching the best nations together,  but it does mean at now have 4 really competetive Quarter finals. I don't think you can confidently pick the winners from South Africa v France, Ireland v New Zealand, England v Fiji and Wales v Argentina.

[Adder]

Portugal have been a joy to watch. They were impressive against Wales and have played well in each game. Unfortunately, their coaching team are breaking up but we'll hope they can maintain the progress over the next couple of years.
Fiji are looking tired. They had a tough build up to the world cup with the aim of hitting the ground running against Wales and Australia. It may be catching up with them....depends on how quickly they can recover and galvanise themselves for the England quarter final.

[Albionic]

Portugal have been a joy to watch. They were impressive against Wales and have played well in each game. Unfortunately, their coaching team are breaking up but we'll hope they can maintain the progress over the next couple of years.
Fiji are looking tired. They had a tough build up to the world cup with the aim of hitting the ground running against Wales and Australia. It may be catching up with them....depends on how quickly they can recover and galvanise themselves for the England quarter final.

If england play like they did against Samoa, I would back a jaded Fiji to beat us frankly.

[Mikkyk]

You could also argue that Fiji would holding a little back in their last two games, targeting the quarter final as they knew as soon as they beat Australia it was very likely they would be playing us in the QF.

A good weekend of rugby lined up nonetheless.

[Baggies]

Four very good quarter finals, four very close QFs, but at the end of it all were left with an uninspiring, anti climatic last 4, with a near certain South Africa v New Zealand final and no new name on the cup.

In 2015 it was a last 4 containing Argentina, New Zealand and South Africa.

In 2019 it was a last 4 containing England, South Africa and New Zealand

In 2023 it's a last 4 containing England, South Africa, New Zeland and Argentina.

In fact, in the last 5 editions, you only have 1 tournament where the last 4 didn't contain atleast 3 of those 4 in the semi finals.

I struggle to shed too many tears for Ireland despite having been rooting for them, but gutted for the French who had built up to this tournament, a home tournament, playing some great stuff.

On to next week, where England will get decimated by this South African side and where I expect Argentina will come up short vs New Zealand, despite their recent record vs the All Blacks.

[Albionic]

I'm going for an England v Argentina final, with Messi converting the winner in extra time. 

Not a fan of union egg chucking nowadays, ruined by the rules IMO, I think League egg chucking is a far better watch, better ball handling skills too.

[Adder]

Ireland failed to get their usual forward domination due to missing a couple of lineouts and a few scrum penalties correctly given against them.
NZ were clinical and managed to get in a healthy lead which is crucial against Ireland. Their defence was close to faultless also. Great finish with the 37 phases where Ireland kept their heads under pressure but New Zealand were also very disciplined not to concede any penalties defending all that.

Argentina deserved the victory against Wales as generally the side winning the physical collisions. The basic Wales lineout malfunctions let Argentina back in at the end of the 1st half. Some Welsh handling errors were costly also.

England should have won more comfortably against Fiji and it goes without saying that they now face a major step-up in class and intensity against South Africa. England have the power to cause some issues but South Africa strong favourites.

Feel for Ireland and France who have both been at a very high level for a couple of years now. They lost knife edge knock-out games having previously won their group showdowns. The games between the big four in the top half of the draw have all been worthy of finals.

[liverbaggie]

Dissapointed with ireland, poor lineouts cost them dear, but they weren't quite at it and the all blacks were on top of their game
So incredibly somehow we are in last 4 i hope for the best but fear the worst, must keep young Smith in the team

[Adder]

World Cup semis done and dusted.
After a spirited start by Argentina, New Zealand won 44-6 without breaking too much sweat.
Pretty much the perfect engine tune up before the final.

On the other hand the England v South Africa game was very hard fought. England were certainly fired up and could have edged it. South Africa looked a bit jaded after some hard games in the tournament including the France game the previous week.
If it wasn't for the tension of it being a World Cup semi it would have been a dire game to watch with both sides kicking the leather off the ball.

South Africa were my pre tournament pick but with the easier group, easier semi and an extra day to recover and prepare for the final, New Zealand must start favourites.

[Baggies]

World Rugby formally unveil their new competition. Starting in 2026, a Rugby Union divisional structure, Div 1 and Div 2, with promotion starting in 2030.

England, Wales, Ireland, Scotland, Italy, France, New Zealand, South Africa, Argentina  Australia, plus 2 others (it will be Japan and Fiji).

Second division will almost certainly be Samoa, Tonga, Georgia, Uruguay, Namibia, USA, Canada, Portugal, Spain, Romania, Chile and one other (Germany/Brazil/Hong Kong/Netherlands most likely).

[Adder]

Wonder where that leaves the 6 Nations and international rugby on terrestrial TV ? Both under threat I suspect.

[Adder]

It sounds as though the new competition in effect replaces the summer tours and autumn internationals. What they said on Wales Today was that each side would play 3 games in the autumn, so for 6 nations teams they would play 3 games against the Southern Hemisphere teams, then they would play another 3 games on a summer tour of the Southern regions. It may well be, but not sure, that the 6 nations games will count towards the new competition also....as would the rugby championship games.

[Adder]

South Africa complete their 4th world cup win. They are certainly masters of making themselves hard to beat and won this competition the hard way with a tough group and tough games against France, England and NZ in the knock-out stages.
France and NZ are better sides to watch but the South African team does cover all bases and gets the job done.

[liverbaggie]

True mate but only by 1 point in each match since after,semi and final
I thought they were very lucky against England.
My bet was Ireland,England surprised me
I would pay to watch SA , boring stifling battering rugby not for me but I would pay to watch all blacks