Rugby 2023-24 World Cup Year!

@theotherjonv you and I aren’t going to agree at England’s current level of ability so let’s just leave our differing opinions there eh.

Bigger questions about Wales.  How come they lost to Argentina who England beat twice?  

It has an easy answer though, Wales are shit. However had Argentina not gifted England a 15 point lead (or whatever it was) or not given away a daft charge down try they would have won last night.

I hope England continue to pick Smith at 15. He was beyond shit last night

you and I aren’t going to agree at England’s current level of ability so let’s just leave our differing opinions there eh.

Because that’s a subjective measure, which counts for nothing.

The only relevant measure is games won and final position. 3rd. 

So no, every time you or someone else posts to gripe about the unfairness of the rankings, or winning ugly, or whatever, I reserve the right to point smugly at the final standings.

What colour medals did Scotland, Wales, France and Ireland get from that world order, remind me again.

Ireland got gold in the 6 nations.

I hope England continue to pick Smith at 15. He was beyond shit last night

Smith is a good club player; not International standard though. He kicks randomly and without a clear objective. Playing him at 15 was inexplicable.

Steward at 14 equally so. Earl at 8? Madness.

At the end England had 3 fly-halfs on the pitch! Why?

I had hopes of Arundell after watching May puffing around, but he isn’t all that.

The only relevant measure is games won and final position. 3rd.

In world rankings? This competition? Games played this week? Six nations?
I’m sorry but no one can look at how this current England side have played and say they are the third best in the world, even on a good day when they got tactics rights and managed to play the ref they lost to a tired SA.
Yes they came third in this competition but there was definitely a less difficult side to the draw. Maybe they should just make it a round robin competition, everyone plays everyone else. Winner has most points at the end.

In world rankings? This competition? Games played this week? Six nations?

Of course this competition. It’s the only game in town at the moment.

I’m sorry but no one can look at how this current England side have played and say they are the third best in the world,

On the basis of finishing position in the world cup, the once every four years pinnacle of the game, look at the final positions and draw a conclusion. Unless as I said half a day ago, artistic impression is now more important. What’s ‘how they played’ got to do with it – plenty of sides were way prettier, and have been sat at home for three weeks. Well done them.

Maybe they should just make it a round robin competition, everyone plays everyone else. Winner has most points at the end.

Then you’re arguing for handing out the cups based on how long a cycle, towards the world ranking rules. Why have a tournament at all….. noting as I also said before that being able to do it repeatedly for 7 games over seven weeks is different to one off or more spaced out games.

I heard Farrell screaming at Arundell all night on the ref mic…tbf, Arundell was miles off basically every kick chase that he attempted.

At the end of it all, I’m missing the final as I’m working. Might watch it on catch up tomorrow, never quite the same though is it 😕

My point was about the ridiculously long gap between picking the seeded teams and the actual tournament. I specifically mentioned that England could only play the teams that were drawn against them.  Some of the criticism of England towards the end of the six nations and during the summer was ott. England have improved  on the evidence of victories over Argentina,Fiji,Japan, Samoa and Chile there’s no disputing that  and they pushed South Africa close.
That sequence of results does not point to England being a better team than France or Ireland though.

All Blacks for the win tonight.

Think it really does depend on how rested SA are. Tough game against France then England. How hard was that game? They obviously had to play the subs longer and harder than perhaps they’d have wanted to.
It’ll be close and depends on how they manipulate the rush defence.

Which ones are Ireland, Scotland and Wales in that cartoon?

Ah, they’re the ones looking up at the medallists on the podium. Again.

Anyway.

No substitute backs on the SA bench? (OK, one) In a couple of hours that’s either going to be genius or a very silly idea.

Anyway. On with the game. Think All Blacks will sneak it as they have had an easier run in. Hopefully a game of running and passing rugby to entertain. 

Which ones are Ireland, Scotland and Wales in that cartoon?

Same place we always are.  Sitting back laughing at English hubris.

I do think England should start doing some Morris Dancing before KO, that would sure throw the opposition off kilter 

Same place we always are. Sitting back laughing at English hubris.

I think England did very well to come third. Call it hubris if you like, but it beats going out in the group stage.

Good word. What’s the word for ‘flattering to deceive’. Promising much but falling short, again?
Is that going to be a red card, looked pretty deliberate.

Dirty. Pulling around the neck and dropping weight on an exposed leg.

Good for the game, not sure it’s the right decision though.

Lucky we have so many qualified refs on this thread 🙄

Also

Ah, they’re the ones looking up at the medallists on the podium. Again.

Remind me where England were in 2015?

Sam Cane’s done here unless the TMO can find some mitigation.

Ugh pre match Morris dance vs highland fling.

Sigh I should never make predictions, looks like a canter home for the boks now

It of a damp squib so far

Remind me where England were in 2015?

Among the ‘also rans’ along with Wales, Scotland, France and Ireland.

Remind me where England were in 2015?Among the ‘also rans’ along with Wales, Scotland, France and Ireland.

And with the red card, SA are going to win this they look much sharper and better anyway.

Yip, Stef du toit is murdering them

Sucks to be Wayne Barnes right now. Caught rotten.

Not a great final. Pretty dull in fact were it not for the closeness of the score. 

Certainly not a classic. Now I know how others felt watching England!

Not the most flowing of matches, great 2nd half fight back from NZ but good teamwork from South Africa

P S Du Toit player of the match. Should be player of tournament again too. That hit on Barrett on the 22 won it

…. absolutely MotM went to the right man tonight

His tackles just stop people, who are travelling at full speed, on the spot. His technique, timing and strength are ridiculous.

As Brian just said?  “We’re just not world cup teams. England have managed to get it done and been to finals…….”

And Sam – “there’s a more significant mental aspect to the game than we give credit for…..”  “Finding a way to get it done when things are going against you…….”

Ability only gets you part of the way, mentality gets you the rest.

His tackles just stop people, who are travelling at full speed, on the spot. His technique, timing and strength are ridiculous

Hope Farrell was watching, rather than Farrell’s regular swinging head high arm and no wrap in sight.

Bill Beaumont, a world class lock forward stood next to Eben Etzebeth, a world class lock forward. The game’s changed in that time…..

As Brian just said? “We’re just not world cup teams. England have managed to get it done and been to finals…

Give it a rest will you.