2023 Men's Rugby World Cup Thread

[Locke]

They've also had a few female commentators in this World Cup...and I've gotta say, I think they've been great!

Where did these women learn it? Can we enroll Cassie Campbell to wherever they went?

[Party Elephant]

Originally Posted by Locke

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

Not really, they were very into apartheid for most of the last century.

[undercoverbrother]

I am oddly excited about Italy v Uruguay.


Both teams love a run and anytime Capuozzo is on the pitch good #### can happen.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

I am oddly excited about Italy v Uruguay.


Both teams love a run and anytime Capuozzo is on the pitch good #### can happen.

That game is tomorrow you donkey

[Boblobla]

I am looking forward to this one today and then RSA/Ireland and Wales/Aus on the weekend. Some great matches coming up.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Boblobla

I am looking forward to this one today and then RSA/Ireland and Wales/Aus on the weekend. Some great matches coming up.

RSA/Ireland his monster.

7-1 bench is a gamble.

Wales/Aussie, could this be the game that sinks Aussie's World Cup.

[Boblobla]

Holy crap, that was a costly drive for the Italians. Down 2 forwards.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Boblobla

Holy crap, that was a costly drive for the Italians. Down 2 forwards.

Has the game been good?

I'm stuck on a call that lasts till 4

[Boblobla]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

Has the game been good?

I'm stuck on a call that lasts till 4

It has.

[FireGilbert]

An exciting team from the Americas that wears discount Wallabies jerseys? I'm in! Go Uruguay!

Too bad they couldn't keep up the pace in the 2nd half. I'm annoyed at that yellow card. Was a really weak call that completely changed the momentum.

[Bagor]

Antoine Dupont has suffered a maxillo-zygomatic fracture. A specialist surgical opinion has been requested to determine the exact length of the player's unavailability. Antoine Dupont remains with the France squad," the FFR said.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/66887936

That's a potentially devastating blow to France.
And I say potentially because early reports I'm reading suggest that he could be back in 3 to 4 weeks which makes it around quarter finals time.

[FireGilbert]

Holy hell Portugal Georgia was incredible!

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by FireGilbert

Holy hell Portugal Georgia was incredible!

England take note, that is how the game you invented was intended to be played.

[Roughneck]

Low scoring games can be entertaining. South Africa needs a kicker. These two teams lived up to the billing.

Also, the DJ really just crushing it

https://twitter.com/user/status/1705686425482543311

[Bagor]

That lived up to expectations! Pure physicality and intensity!

Boks will be rueing their kicks and Irish their early line outs when in the scoring zone.

Ireland the big winners not in that NZ will be any easier but they avoid France and get to pack Stade de France in what should essentially be a home game.

[Bagor]

On the flip side.
You'd be forgiven for not knowing today's game is an elimination game.
Little intensity or desperation from Australia. They're heading home of they don't smarten up.

[FireGilbert]

I had pretty low expectations for the Wallabies and they couldn’t even meet them. What a disaster. Time to fire everyone and start from scratch so hosting in 2027 isn’t a total embarrassment.

[undercoverbrother]

WOW, what a weekend.


Congrats England on beating up on Chile. If Arundell doesn't get moved into the first 15 it is a joke. Although the RFU must be seriously re-considering their selection criteria and playing in domestic competitions.

South Africa & Ireland.

That is how you play a high stakes entertaining game. A great advertisement for the game. Physical, Fast, Violent, Skilled.


Australia, heads up Eddie and Phil Waugh. The next few months ain't gonna be good. Australia looked confused and then disinterested.

It is sad to see such a once great rugby nation fall so far.

[FireGilbert]

Huge fall from grace for the 4 time finalist Aussies. Only consultation is knowing England missed the QFs for the first time ever in 2015 and responded pretty well in their next cup.

It has always been tough for Australian Rugby to recruit players against League and Aussie Rules but in the past could attract enough talent with money, success, and the opportunity to travel to London, Paris, and Rome. Now there is very little hope. No idea how to fix this other than trying to copy Ireland.

Anyways week four should be interesting. Not really any big games but the Pool C games will be good again. Also interested in the All Blacks Italy and Japan Samoa.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by FireGilbert

It has always been tough for Australian Rugby to recruit players against League and Aussie Rules but in the past could attract enough talent with money, success, and the opportunity to travel to London, Paris, and Rome. Now there is very little hope. No idea how to fix this other than trying to copy Ireland.

I read an interesting article about the decline of the Wallabies through the increase of Aussie Super Rugby teams.

When the Aussies were a force they had only a couple of teams, Reds, Tahs & Brumbies.

The players from those teams brought in connections and experience playing together to the Wallabies. Horan & Little were a partnership at the Reds that rolled into the Wallabies. Now the top talent is spread out across more Super teams and the players don't show up with that connection.



Also I think Namibia v Uruguay could be a good game. Two teams close in the rankings that have shown a willingness to play rugby.