2023 Rugby World Cup

[KnickerlessParsons]

Can't find a thread so thought I'd start one nice and early for some pre chat.

Really don't think either England or Wales are going to get out of the pool rounds 🙁

I have been watching lots of the build up on twitter and it's starting to get exciting. Still got my fingers crossed England figure out what's been holding them back but looking forward to some rugby either way. France v New Zealand should be a great opener.

Started this thread and promptly forgot all about it!

Eddie Jones says that England's problem is that they aren't nurturing new players coming through nearly enough and haven't been for years.

Wales supporter here though 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 but they seem to be in much the same boat, albeit they do have quite a lot of new faces in the squad. I am 😬 for Fiji on Sunday.

I reckon RSA will win again. I'd like it to be France but have a feeling it's going to go horribly wrong for them

Oh, and a quick shout out for the LZR documentary that went live on BBC iPlayer yesterday. He seems a very nice boy with a very close knit family.

He's always happy & smiley at Glaws games, ready to chat to the kids.

I really want to cheer for England but their style of play has been so dismal lately that I can’t see them getting out of the pools . Going to watch France v nz opener as that should be fab

Eddie Jones says that England's problem is that they aren't nurturing new players coming through nearly enough and haven't been for years.

Oh the irony given how long he stuck with Ben Youngs. And frankly a lot of the older crew.

Name changed to join in!

I know, it's a clumsy nn - couldn't think of better phrasing around the Mr Darcy/Darcy Graham theme. I'm old enough to be that man's mother but am embarrassingly in love with him.

Another Scotland fan (and Edinburgh Rugby) here, in case you hadn't guessed 😂. Can't wait for the WC to get underway. I'd love to think we have a chance - we've been playing so well and the team are so strong - but this is such a tough group. The rugby rules on making the draw so far in advance is madness.

I'm a medium rugby fan - watch big games and world cups!

Also feeling good about our chances but someone told me the way the groups are, there's a fairly good chance that NZ and SA will land up playing each other in a quarter/semi final rather than both getting into the final? I keep meaning to ask DH but forget.

We were at the NZ/SA "friendly"... along with what appeared to be 60,000 of my compatriots! .

Faff, aka "puffball" (the hair!?) keeps me entertained every single match. I'm glad he's playing. There was a rumour he was going to be reserve only.

Oh, I'm in. Can't wait 🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪 COYBIG

Can’t wait for the rugby. Scotland are looking interesting, I know we’ve got a shit group but keeping my fingers crossed.

I’m also delighted for Joy Neville that she’s one of the TMOs but disappointed that World Rugby hasn’t appointed any of the top flight female refs for these games .

Oh Faff. I'm still recovering from his budgie smugglers

I'm in NZ, usually only watch All Blacks vs Springboks games, expect for when the world cup is on when I end up watching everything! I can't see NZ doing well in this one, I think South Africa will win it again.

Though I would like to see France win, since it's their home tournament, and they've come close so many times before.

Me too. And seeing him kissing someone that I genuinely thought was his sister as they looked identical. Very relieved to find out it was his partner.

Is Faff short for something? Who would call their child Faff, even in Afrikaans?

I was getting the train back from work on the day of NZ v SA at Twickenham. So many South Africa fans out having fun. Even prompted me to check if there were still tickets to see if I could go but no luck. South Africa are looking strong.

I think things look tough for Scotland but miracles could happen. Rubbish draw for them.

Would love it to be a Northern hemisphere team to win the world cup to mix it up a bit.

Francois, I believe. I quite like Faff as a nickname

I like the clip of Jonny hill pulling Faf out of a ruck and he just somersaults backwards laughing. He must be a fucking nightmare to play against but he makes me laugh.

Francois, I believe. I quite like Faff as a nickname

Thank you. For me the "it's all a bit of a faff" type expression would put me off.
Though is that actually "pfaff"?

It better bloody not be South Africa. I still haven't heard the end of it from 4 years ago.

I have very little faith in England so much so, DD and I are playing on a tenuous family link and supporting France. My husband is officially a bok between two coqs.

Exactly.
Also teams get nothing from the RFU for raising all the kids through the academies. They spend a fortune training them up to play for clubs in the Premiership and then they all get taken for internationals. And because of salary caps you can’t buy in a sustainable home team so you are reliant on the academies yourself and your star players fir gate revenue.
Teams should be compensated for players that make it to England from their academy.

Another rugby mum/ rugby fan here, i support England, DP Wales and my rugby playing DS gets to support both !!!! I have a feeling we may all.be a tad disappointed!!
However I'm really looking forward to watching as many games as i can and have my radio times wall chart at the ready !!
If England get knocked out and Figi are in I'm supporting them !

Bok between 2 coqs. Snigger

According to someone at my work, NZ & SA can potentially play each other in the quarters or the final, but not the semi's, depending on where they come in their respective pools. I am hoping for an AB's vs Bok's final!

Another Scotland /Glasgow fan here and I can already feel the irrational hope starting to build up…… it’s always the hope that kills you!
The SA team for Sunday look pretty ferocious though.
Trying to put together my fantasy team just now - the family league gets very competitive (but my 15y old always wins!)