Rugby Union world Cup

[Tin basher]

So this year 2023 it's unions turn to hold it's version of the rugby world cup in that there France. (The Rugby League world cup was 2022)
So 15 a side lovers can a home nation succeed?
Perhaps even a Northern hemisphere nation?
Which wild card team do you think can make the knockout stages?
And the winners are??

Home | Rugby World Cup 2023 France

The official site of Rugby World Cup 2023, with ticketing, venue and event information, news and videos.

www.rugbyworldcup.com

 

[Downsizer]

Might give this a watch.....to see what it's like. Pretty bored of international football so why not.

 

[Tin basher]

Might give this a watch.....to see what it's like.

21.30. Doing something similar, watching St. Helens v Leigh rugby (currently 16-6) but channel hopping to France v NZ union ( currently 9-13).

 

[kawoloki]

I can't ever remember such a weak NZ team...

Looking like one of France, South Africa or Ireland..

 

[muttywhitedog]

If RU took a leaf out of Fifa's book and made the "ball in play" time longer, the sport might appeal to me. However, with the ball spending over half its time not in play due to line outs, scrums, all-pile-ons etc, I have always tended to get distracted. Stop the clock every time the ball gets kicked to touch and start it when the ball is thrown in. Stop the clock when a scrum is called and start it when the ball is fed in.

 

[Barch]

Ice hockey has been using the 'Stop Play - Stop Clock' system for as long as I can remember, It stops strategic timewasting and can lead to the last 30 seconds of the playing time taking 2 or 3 minutes or so.

 

[Tin basher]

It's half time England are in front and Union game is still a confusing entitity. Big pile of bodies wrestling around on the floor penalty to team A, next big pile of bodies, doing what appears to be the same penalty to team B. The 40 minute half took around 55 minutes the VAR/TMO/FPRO etc squad were busy. People still kicked the ball off the pitch on purpose to stop the game which judging by the applause is apparently a good thing. I have no idea if it's a good game, if England are following some sort of plan, if kick and clap Union is the way ahead or scrum, ruck, maul, push and shove is the way ahead. Still England are winning and the commentary team have not mentioned the Falklands once. C'mon Ingerland

 

[Tin basher]

So England win and amass 27 points without scoring a try. A rugby game without the winning team scoring a try!! Say What!!.
Still well played George Ford and well played England with a man short for most of the game.

Manu Tuilagi - What a loose forward or centre he would have been in the Rugby league game

 

[busby1971]

Enjoyed the game, and quite unexpected following the warm ups, always helps the mental attitude to win a hard game, although we did make it harder for ourselves.

We all can’t like all sports, I can’t watch Hockey as I just don’t understand what’s going on, I don’t think that makes it a bad game, just not for me.

 

[Tin basher]

We all can’t like all sports, I can’t watch Hockey as I just don’t understand what’s going on, I don’t think that makes it a bad game, just not for me.

I'm a sport lover in general but watching Union does the same for me, baffling at times, not a bad game for those in the know just not for me.

 

[Junter]

I think I prefer union to league. I'm no expert when it comes to the rules but I think I can just about follow what's happening in a union game. I like some aspects of rugby league but when players are tackled and they wriggle about on the ground, it just looks a bit unsavoury.

 

[Tin basher]

So Union types whats your thoughts on the tournament so far? For me who really hasn't watched union much it appears that the higher seeded teams have won as expected and no one has shocked the world order yet. So predictable or just proving the world rankings are about right?

"I like some aspects of rugby league but when players are tackled and they wriggle about on the ground, it just looks a bit unsavoury."
Once the tackle is completed it is incumbent upon the tackled player to get straight back up, keep the game flowing and play the ball ASAP. The tackling guys should also get off him ASAP. The wriggling fish act is to show the ref - look I'm trying to get up really quickly and keep the game going but the other teams guys are preventing me can I have a penalty please. Unless it becomes very obvious he's being held down the refs usually don't react

 

[Late & Tired]

... So predictable or just proving the world rankings are about right?

I'm guessing Fiji never got the memo.

 

[Tin basher]

I'm guessing Fiji never got the memo.

A perfect example of just how little I watch Union. Well done Fiji beating the convicts

 

[muttywhitedog]

I didnt think Australia had a particularly strong Yawnion side anyway. Isnt it South Africa, Ireland and New Zealand that are favourites?