Any rugby fans here planning to watch the world cup? 

Hosts France kickoff today against New Zealand (15:15 ET USA) in what should be a scorcher of a game, and not just because the temperatures will be around 35C/95F. France have been on the rise in international rugby and could be primed for a deep run. New Zealand = rugby. Tune in before kickoff for the haka challenge.

Group B is the group of death. South Africa, Ireland, Scotland, Tonga, and Romania. Ireland are the current world number 1 and South Africa are defending world cup champs. Scotland and Tonga can beat anyone on a given day, leaving Romania hoping for upsets. 

Argentina are an interesting team to watch with a relatively easy path to the elimination rounds. 

Here are the pool breakdowns for the tournament. https://www.rugbyworldcup.com/2023/pools

(September 8, 2023 at 12:04 pm)Nanny Wrote: Any rugby fans here planning to watch the world cup? 

Hosts France kickoff today against New Zealand (15:15 ET USA) in what should be a scorcher of a game, and not just because the temperatures will be around 35C/95F. France have been on the rise in international rugby and could be primed for a deep run. New Zealand = rugby. Tune in before kickoff for the haka challenge.

Group B is the group of death. South Africa, Ireland, Scotland, Tonga, and Romania. Ireland are the current world number 1 and South Africa are defending world cup champs. Scotland and Tonga can beat anyone on a given day, leaving Romania hoping for upsets. 

Argentina are an interesting team to watch with a relatively easy path to the elimination rounds. 

Here are the pool breakdowns for the tournament. https://www.rugbyworldcup.com/2023/pools

I’ll follow it until my beloved All Blacks are eliminated.

Boru

France put the wood to New Zealand in the opener. The All Blacks scored first, and the first half was close, but Les Bleus pulled away in the second half showing strong squad depth in oppressive heat.

Ireland put up 80 points against Romania. A thumping. Not seeing many points for Romania with South Africa and Scotland still to play in the group.
A 14-man England squad relied on the kicking game to get past a feckless Argentina squad.
South Africa's relentless ruck-raiding and pace humbled the Scots. Scotland face a tough road ahead having to face Ireland.

I didn't catch the Wales-Fiji game.

Some of the other matches were barely watchable. The talent gaps between the elite and the rest are so vast in this sport.

Watched the replay of the Wales-Fiji game. Cracking game well played by both sides. The Welsh were sloppy and undisciplined at times. A dumb penalty midway through the second half cost the Fijians. They had the Welsh on the ropes and gave it up.

(September 12, 2023 at 10:33 am)Nanny Wrote: Watched the replay of the Wales-Fiji game. Cracking game well played by both sides. The Welsh were sloppy and undisciplined at times. A dumb penalty midway through the second half cost the Fijians. They had the Welsh on the ropes and gave it up.

When did the WRU give Matt Carley his MOTM trophy though?

(September 12, 2023 at 1:32 pm)GUBU Wrote:

(September 12, 2023 at 10:33 am)Nanny Wrote: Watched the replay of the Wales-Fiji game. Cracking game well played by both sides. The Welsh were sloppy and undisciplined at times. A dumb penalty midway through the second half cost the Fijians. They had the Welsh on the ropes and gave it up.

When did the WRU give Matt Carley his MOTM trophy though?

Fiji benefitted from the officiating at the other end, too. The ref had difficulty controlling the intensity of the game. Both teams practiced dark arts. 

Wales were stout in defense when they needed to be despite numerous penalties. The Fijians paid for theirs and still pushed Wales to the brink. 

Carley deserves his lumps. It's like a fine game happened in spite of him.

Edit - officiating at the World Cup has been inconsistent, poor, and frustrating. That has been the consistent fact of the opening weekend.

Sunday's game featuring Australia v Fiji is the best matchup this weekend. Most of the rest will be barely watchable.

Tonga should give the Irish more resistance than Romania did but not sure they'll summon a scare.

Likely to advance (after week 1 of play):
Pool A: France, New Zealand
Pool B: Ireland, South Africa
Pool C: Wales, Fiji (Sorry Oz)
Pool D: England, Argentina

No surprises this past weekend of group play, with the marquis matchup between Australia and Fiji being the best of the weekend. Fiji dominated and held on to beat the Australians 22-15.
There were no other upsets.

This coming weekend will feature Ireland vs South Africa - the top teams in the world - squaring off in Group B play (15:00 USAET Saturday). Both of these teams likely advance but higher seeding matters.

The group C match between Wales and Australia (15:00 USAET Sunday) determines the order of the group. Wales have won both of their games while Fiji sit second in the group after their win on Sunday. Australia must beat Wales to have a shot at advancing, though Eddie Jones's club don't look the part.

Ireland hold off South Africa in one of the best-played rugby games I've seen in years to sort out Group B (the group of death). Ireland all but certain to advance to the knockout stage vs. the runner up in Group A (New Zealand, currently). South Africa likely to face hosts and leaders of Group A, France. Two marquis matchups, and a hard roll for the losing teams in these matchups.

Over in Group C, Wales dominated Australia while Fiji (idle) sit comfortably in second behind the Welsh. Australia need a Fiji loss and help to stay in it.

England sit firmly atop Group D and it's wide open for the runner up position. Argentina have the talent to push past Japan and Samoa but need results on the pitch.


This weekend's fixtures aren't very appealing. Best of the week will be Ireland v. Scotland, with the Scots hoping for an upset. The rest of the games will be snoozers this week.