2023 Men's Rugby World Cup Thread

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by ChuckieNZ

Agreed with the Pumas looking lost - that was just an awful, awful game from them. I can understand England playing the way they did being down a man the whole game.

Looking at that back line the Pommies picked I think that was the game plan all along

[FireGilbert]

Gutsy performance from Chile to keep things competitive with Japan for most of the game. In their first ever world cup game the team that eliminated Canada showed they belong.

[FLAMESRULE]

I'm far from a rugby expert but this Wales - Fiji game is super entertaining. Seems well played, very physical, and fast.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by FLAMESRULE

I'm far from a rugby expert but this Wales - Fiji game is super entertaining. Seems well played, very physical, and fast.

It was but had some appalling reffing in the last 20

[FireGilbert]

Love the Fijians. They have always been super skilled but finally got the fundamentals figured out to become a top side. Still have a chance to progress if they can beat Australia.

Rugby has the best replay system in all of sports. How are they still getting all these calls wrong?

I'm not a fan of the new red card reviews. The on and off field officials are already having a chat about the call, just spend another minute and sort it out. Also, why is everyone so against the idea of 20 minute red cards? It seemed fine in Super Rugby.

[undercoverbrother]

Couple of things that jump out early to me in this RWC

> I like the card review. Keeps the flow of play going. Discuss if it is a yellow, award yellow and start the game again. During that 10 mins can decide if it warrants a red.

> Inconsistency in officiating, Wales takes 4-5 cynical professional fouls while Fiji are literally on the Welsh goal line. Official finally gives a warning, no more fouls on the goal line. A few minutes later Fiji commit 1 cynical professional foul and boom yellow card. I Wales had been pressing the Fijian goal line, I don't think you would get all those warnings. Then a couple of minutes later Fiji are back on the Welsh goal line, Wales commits cynical professional fouls, and #### all happens. The warning doesn't or shouldn't have a time limit. (that being said Fiji left what 3 tries on the pitch?). Then don't even ####ing start about this:

Spoiler!

> The value of the drop kick needs to be reduced. League gives you 1 pt for a drop kick. That England game was ####. The fans want to see running rugby (I mean with that starting 15 England never looked like they planned to run).

[Slava]

I'm kind of torn on the value of a drop kick. Sure, in that one game it was a "problem", but they're not that easy to hit regularly. If you're concerned about them, then are you concerned about penalty kicks at all? I've seen some pretty boring games where teams just kick for points over and over.

And of course, I say that as the guy who was kicking when I played. I get it, it's about scoring points and I was always happy to slot one through!

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Slava

I'm kind of torn on the value of a drop kick. Sure, in that one game it was a "problem", but they're not that easy to hit regularly. If you're concerned about them, then are you concerned about penalty kicks at all? I've seen some pretty boring games where teams just kick for points over and over.

And of course, I say that as the guy who was kicking when I played. I get it, it's about scoring points and I was always happy to slot one through!

The thing with penalties and the threat of kicking for goal is in theory it reduced the incidents of infractions within a kickable distance (usually within your half). Those infractions usually reduce an attacking teams ability to play running rugby, ie: slowing the ball down, offside, knock on, etc. So in theory keeping the penalty at 3 points should be an incentive to reduce penalties in the attacking half.

Now League reduced penalty to 2pts, but the 3pts should act as a deterrent and punishment to teams continually infringing and fukcing with play.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

The thing with penalties and the threat of kicking for goal is in theory it reduced the incidents of infractions within a kickable distance (usually within your half). Those infractions usually reduce an attacking teams ability to play running rugby, ie: slowing the ball down, offside, knock on, etc. So in theory keeping the penalty at 3 points should be an incentive to reduce penalties in the attacking half.

Now League reduced penalty to 2pts, but the 3pts should act as a deterrent and punishment to teams continually infringing and fukcing with play.

Yeah, it is true enough. I kind of miss the old days where there was more self-policing. Like, play the ball on the ground? Prepare to get raked. That was a good deterrent.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Slava

Yeah, it is true enough. I kind of miss the old days where there was more self-policing. Like, play the ball on the ground? Prepare to get raked. That was a good deterrent.

The lack of rucking is a great point, when I played you got the boots if you slowed #### down. The ability to ruck needs to come back, especially with all the "eyes on the game" now. Illegal use of boots shouldn't be missed now.

[FireGilbert]

Wow how about Uruguay! Know it was the French B team but definitely didn't expect Uruguay to do better against France than Argentina did against England.

[undercoverbrother]

Well played 🇵🇹

[FireGilbert]

Portugal lost 8 points from their kicking. That game was close! Love how well the lower seeds are doing.

Australia Fiji starts in a few hours. Should be great. Gotta love Pool C.

[Spurs]

What a win by Fiji!

I thought this round of games looked pretty blah but I obviously vastly underrated the Fijians.

[Bagor]

Best game so far and a special occasion.

Well deserved. Just a pity they are missed the penalty at the end to take the extra point away from the Aussies. far

[Party Elephant]

Ohhhh baby! Feeling pretty good about my dark horse pick right now!

[undercoverbrother]

Fiji & Aussies both sides came at the game the right way.

Other than the 5 mins of ping pong, the game was played how it should be played

[FireGilbert]

I wasn't impressed with the Aussies style of play. Too eager to kick the ball away, no creativity in the run when they didn't kick, and horrible discipline. Credit to Fiji for taking advantage.

The Wallabies still have a shot at the QF if they can beat Wales and that lucky losing bonus point helps. Fiji in the drivers seat for the QF spot though with their 2 bonus points against Wales.

[Locke]

Okay, is anyone else surprised at how many white guys there are on Team Namibia?

[Locke]

Also...I dont care what anyone says...the Haka is fataing awesome!