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Original poster

2023 Rugby World Cup

895 replies

KnickerlessParsons · 26/08/2023 17:17

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 🙁

OP posts:
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duc748 · 15/10/2023 00:56

The ABs good value for their win, I think.

Original poster
KnickerlessParsons · 15/10/2023 01:15

Weepingwillows12 · 15/10/2023 00:12

I genuinely thought we were looking at a northern hemisphere dominated semi finals with Ireland eventual winners. The one game I thought would go other way possibly was France boks. Now it's just back to southern hemisphere as always. It's a shame.

I agree. I've lost most of my interest now. It's going to be an RSA v NZ final I reckon and I'm not sure if I can even be bothered watching.

OP posts:
GrouchyKiwi · 15/10/2023 09:18

Weepingwillows12 · 15/10/2023 00:12

I genuinely thought we were looking at a northern hemisphere dominated semi finals with Ireland eventual winners. The one game I thought would go other way possibly was France boks. Now it's just back to southern hemisphere as always. It's a shame.

I wouldn't write off France right now. They're playing fantastic rugby, and aren't the temperamental team they used to be where they played brilliantly one week then couldn't string a phase together the following one.

South Africa is excellent at grinding down the opposition.

I am slightly leaning towards a French win, but only slightly.

I hope Fiji beats England. (Sorry, English fans.) Would be brilliant for them to get to the semis.

MainlyOnThePlain · 15/10/2023 09:24

I think the home crowd will just about carry the French team through tonight.

DontBeAPrickDarren · 15/10/2023 09:31

I think France win tonight and beat England in the semis to set up rematch against NZ. NZ spurred on by loss in the group stage win the final.

Still gutted about Ireland. DD started playing rugby this year and was inconsolable last night. She’s playing herself today in a cup game so hoping she can channel the disappointment into something positive. She’s same position as Sexton and he’s her hero 🥲🥲🥲

I know lots are saying if not now, when re:Ireland but if you look at the squad there are phenomenal younger players in there that will still have that winning mentality. Big shoes to fill Sexton’s role but by the time of the next World Cup that transition should be well established plus the change to the draw set up should hopefully leave us in a good position again.

HewasH20 · 15/10/2023 10:11

Fiji's players have had a terrible time during the tournament. Sam Matvesi's dad passed away last week, but he has stayed on to play rather than go back to Cornwall. Another player lost his 7 year old son and stayed with the squad. I will always support the Quin's players in the England squad, but my heart wants Fiji to get the win.

LadyEloise1 · 15/10/2023 10:13

@DontBeAPrickDarren "... she's same position as Sexton and he's her hero..... "

He has done his country some service and done us proud both on and off the pitch. ☘️🇮🇪☘️
Wishing him a great retirement from the team.

DontBeAPrickDarren · 15/10/2023 10:43

LadyEloise1 · 15/10/2023 10:13

@DontBeAPrickDarren "... she's same position as Sexton and he's her hero..... "

He has done his country some service and done us proud both on and off the pitch. ☘️🇮🇪☘️
Wishing him a great retirement from the team.

I was explaining to her that “in my day”
we could never have imagined someone surpassing Ronan O’Gara for points/caps and then Sexton came along, and there’ll be another who comes along for her generation that blows them both away.

Worst part is her dad is English so she has the double heartbreak of suffering the disappointment of expectation as an English fan for the football and an Ireland fan for the rugby 😂

She’s determined to put a green jersey on one day having watched the World Cup so it’s done the job of inspiring the young ones.

LadyEloise1 · 15/10/2023 10:52

I remember Johnny Sexton as the young pretender to Ronan O'Gara.
There was no love lost between them initially. Smile

JaneJeffer · 15/10/2023 13:13

The BBC reporter: England is the favourite BUT a couple of months ago they were beaten by Fiji and they just scraped by in their last game BUT they are confident Grin

JayAlfredPrufrock · 15/10/2023 15:08

What’s with the headphones?

Thunderpunt · 15/10/2023 16:23

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 🏉 putting my head above the parapet to say.... come on England

blobby10 · 15/10/2023 16:45

England are actually playing a decent game (so far)!!!! Am loving the joy that Fiji seems to bring to any match 😎

Thunderpunt · 15/10/2023 16:48

First time this tournament that they actually look like they know what they are doing..... it will probably all go to shit in the second half Grin

JayAlfredPrufrock · 15/10/2023 16:48

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

MainlyOnThePlain · 15/10/2023 16:48

Not a fan of Swing Low Sweet Chariot at the best of times, but singing it to 'counter' the Fijian Cibi is particularly Hmm.

JayAlfredPrufrock · 15/10/2023 17:00

I’m not sure why everyone has to put up with the Haka.

A bit of aggressive Morris Dancing would go down a treat.

JayAlfredPrufrock · 15/10/2023 17:00

Sorry Cibi in this case

GrouchyKiwi · 15/10/2023 17:02

I think it's great that culture is respected in this way in rugby.

MainlyOnThePlain · 15/10/2023 17:10

JayAlfredPrufrock · 15/10/2023 17:00

I’m not sure why everyone has to put up with the Haka.

A bit of aggressive Morris Dancing would go down a treat.

Well, yes, this I would pay good money to see - Ellis Genge and Joe Marler in full Border Morris kit.

JayAlfredPrufrock · 15/10/2023 17:13

They can have sticks.

MainlyOnThePlain · 15/10/2023 17:18

What will the Welsh team bring on? A massive male voice choir singing something so heartfelt, yet immaculately enunciated, that the opposition is left reeling helplessly with emotion?

blobby10 · 15/10/2023 17:23

🤣🤣🤣🤣at all these suggestions 🤣🤣

JayAlfredPrufrock · 15/10/2023 17:24

@MainlyOnThePlain

With a leek buttonhole

JayAlfredPrufrock · 15/10/2023 17:26

The Irish can do that tricksy sword dancing thing and the Scots just need the bag pipes. Oh and maybe a caber or two.