It'll be here in no time!
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We were talking about this last week. I think the expanded format is not a good thing. I cant see any of the second tier Countries getting through the first round of knockouts, it’s clearly done to have more games and get more money in.
I dunno, Georgia could spring a surprise on Italy, if Samoa get their act together and their big name players in they could have a good go at Japan. Manu Tuilagi could be playing for Samoa at this world cup.
And well, Wales.....
Wales could suprise Tonga...long live the minnows
What is the new format?
What is the new format?
6 pools of 4 now rather than 4 pools of 5. Seeded, so top tier nations are the most likely to get through. 2023 had NZ/France/Italy in one pool, and Scotland/Ireland/SA in another, so two top tier nations were going to be eliminated in the pool stage. Now it's likely they will all get through.
Although the less able Nations are getting a chance to have a go at the big boys, who can see anything other than massive wins for England against Zimbabwe and NZ vs Hong Kong? There are other large mismatches too.
South Africa are going to be feeling fresher than most after the pool stage.
Same could be said for France, too.
Some talk coming from the southern hemisphere teams about this making it easier for a northern hemisphere team to get through. I guess whichever way you do it, someone’s going to feel like they dipped out.
talk coming from the southern hemisphere
You mean NZ and Aus?
“Former Springboks captain Corne Krige says that the Rugby World Cup draw was manipulated to ensure that the Southern Hemisphere top dogs knocked one another out of the tournament.
The draw for the 2027 Rugby World Cup was conducted on Wednesday, with hosts Australia drawn along with New Zealand in Pool A, as well as Hong Kong China and Chile.”
“Former Springboks captain Corne Krige says that the Rugby World Cup draw was manipulated to ensure that the Southern Hemisphere top dogs knocked one another out of the tournament.
The draw for the 2027 Rugby World Cup was conducted on Wednesday, with hosts Australia drawn along with New Zealand in Pool A, as well as Hong Kong China and Chile.”
He's talking bollyx. The IRB / World Rugby has been so biassed towards the Southern Hemisphere and wishes of SANZAR for 25 years, they're just used to the pitch slowed at 30degrees in their favour. Just look at the changes to the international windows to suit the SH, over-protection of NZ when doing the haka, etc.