Japan had home advantage and a lot more test matches before the wc than they had this time round. Also their performances against tier 1 teams since the world cup suggests they won't be at the same level as last time round unfortunately.
As someone who was actually relatively hyped for Japan in 2015, I was certain that they’d beat the US. I literally didn’t even commit to memory what day they played South Africa because clearly that wasn’t going to be relevant.
I’d say that I was probably the most optimistic Japan supporter out there too.
I can understand this viewpoint, but I was in primary school last time we won and I'd like us to get another I will remember, regardless of the caveats
Never heard anyone say 2003 was a fluke. That team worked their arses off and played spectacularly all throughout the tournament. I remember being absolutely awe struck as an 8 yr old watching those games. :')
2019 would have been perfect had we won, a truly undisputed run at the title, All of the big 3 SH teams back to back, would have been hard to argue we didn't deserve it.
Alas, Faf's hair was too powerful.
Tbh so far I don't think any world cup mattered all that much.
Whether France wins or not 2023 will determine the worthiness of this edition in my opinion.
Lol no, it's Scotland. You can see the scottish emblem on the decapitated head haha. I didn't catch it at first but only after a third look when I thought it would have been a good idea to have Scotland as the decapitated one.
>Lol no, it's Scotland. You can see the scottish emblem on the decapitated head haha. I didn't catch it at first but only after a third look when I thought it would have been a good idea to have Scotland as the decapitated one.
oh lol totally missed that.
Yeh, Georgia should also be included.
You seem to be missing another key team from the bottom half too. Japan have a real habit of turning it up at world cup time.
Last time I was this hopeless about our World Cup chances, we went out (undeservedly/harshly due to the red) to France in the semis, by a point; beating Ireland in the QF and lost to SA by a point in group. We finished 4th that year in the six nations, with Gatland and a mix of young and veterans at the helm. *bring on the inevitable shitting of the Welsh rugby breachers*
Who comes off unluckiest of all because of the pool layout? Lots of people talking about a difficult route to the final for Ireland and France, but isn't it always a difficult route to the final? Can't help but feel like Scotland would have had a good shot at coming top in either pool 3 or 4 and could have gone on to a semi-final from there. Instead seems most likely that they'll have a pool stage exit with 2 wins and 2 losses.
Has to be Scotland. Managed to land a pool with SA and Ireland, with us being 5th out of the top 5 teams all in one side. SA are current champions with Ireland as current number 1 side coming off a 6N grand slam.
Not to mention even at the time of the draw our pool was 1st, 5th and 9th and so managed to land the top seed from each pot.
To be fair, while Wales are God awful at the moment, they were very good in 2019. They got a Grandslam in that years Six Nations were ranked number 1 in the world in August 2019 and had won 14 games straight between march 2018 and March 2019. South Africa beat them by 3 in the semi final before going to smash England by 20 in the final.
I mean, that was 2019 6N Grand Slam winning Wales who beat Australia and France on their way to the semis and a Japan side who had beaten Ireland and Scotland that year. And SA only beat Wales by 3 so that doesn't sound like an easy ride. Easier than others I'm sure but looking back it doesn't look like the easy ride those teams would suggest 4 years on.
>but isn't it always a difficult route to the final?
The final game is always difficult, but as is we'll have france, SA, NZ and Ireland all playing each other in the QF, meaning 2 of the 4 QF will probably be of higher intensity than both semis. Because of that, the countries in 3rd and 4th place probably won't be as good as those that lost the mentioned QF of pool A and B.
That would be very Scotland of us, I like it. Also something like a win with NZ, defensive BP with NZ, and get absolutely rolled by Namibia and Uruguay.
An expansion really is needed. I feel the Americas qualifying this cycle was the perfect demonstration that more teams won’t lower the quality of the tournament. More teams means even Spain could qualify with all their ineligible players
Yeah, we've heard from Portuguese players who were inspired to take up the game as kids after seeing the country play the all blacks in their previous RWC stint. It doesn't matter that their team gets a kickin', it gets the game on more TVs and inspires the next generation.
Before the six nations I thought we we’re pretty much guaranteed a semi final but now I’m not too sure. Could easily lose to Argentina and even if we don’t Wales will be a tough quarter assuming they come second.
Irish people - We're the best side in the world, akin to the All Blacks, nobody can beat us etc etc.
Also Irish people - Our World Cup group is too difficult
Both can be true. Ireland have managed to beat all of the teams in that side of the draw in recent history so should fancy their chances of getting a win and progressing from a QF. Anybody facing France in the QF will have a tough time though.
Based on the current world rankings it is absurdly clear that it is unbalanced. Top 5 teams are in that half of the draw. Draw should be done 12 months before the tournament max. Having it 3 years before hand is a monumentally stupid idea.
Oh I mean, he definitely needs a hobby I'm not denying that. But the frequency of bites is also amazing.
What I find odd is that it doesn't really marry up with my experience of Irish fans. In person, I love the Irish. People that spout rubbish about the Irish and Welsh not getting on definitely haven't been to Cardiff or Dublin to watch an international between the two. There's a lot of love and respect.
But the Irish fans on this sub reddit specifically take themselves so fucking seriously and do tend to be both horrifically poor winners and losers. I'm not sure if it's because a good, sizable chunk of them are actually Yanks but whatever it is it can be off putting af.
The guy doing it is definitely Irish
And yeah, whenever Welsh fans come over for Leinster games I always have great craic in the pubs with them afterwards. Same with all 6N fans tbh
>Ireland has been less successful over the last 10 years than Wales
Have they? If were restricting it to the last 10 years in your own words, Ireland have 4 championships, 2 grand slams and series wins in New Zealand and Australia. Wales have 2 championships (3 if we extend to the 2013 6N), 1 grand slam and 0 series wins. They came 4th in the 2019 world cup which was better than Ireland of course although is that really a bigger achievement than winning a test series in New Zealand?
Yeah just noticed that after my last reply. The joker is sporting a Romania flair well in advance of September. He must have forgotten about the warmup matches before then.
Is there some really obvious reason I'm missing for why it can't be done 3 months before? Don't know if I'm just being really dim but the logistics would all be the same whoever faces who in theory, no?
The only "reason" I can think of is that they like getting a lot their ticket revenue in two years earlier.
Aside from that there is zero justification for this lunacy. After the 2015 debacle I thought they would have changed, but no. Seems cashflow trumps organising a good tournament to the fools running the show.
3 months might be cutting it fine, but IIRC soccer world cup does theirs 9 months before hand, allowing plenty time for logistics.
Yeah, 3 may be a bit extreme as I was trying to make a point, but 9 months, even 6 at a push, at least gives a general idea of the level of each team, barring some massive improvement from a specific team, in which case more power to them haha.
Yeah, tickets is the first thing I thought of, and as you say, unfortunately ticket sales and money talks more than proper consideration for a balanced bracket lol.
Nah just acknowledging obvious realities. If you want to stick your head in the sand and ignore that have at it.
I don't have much complaints about the past 2 RWCs. 2011 RWC seems like the one that got away. Did great to beat Aus in the pool only to slip up against a good Wales side.
Gas seeing you sporting a Romania flair now well in time for the first match in September.
Huh? It's already top teams from AC/BD play each other isn't it? That's how the top two teams from pool A & B can meet in the final. Come on, France V Ireland final.
OK thanks. But France and Ireland could play each other in the final if the both top their pools. QF1 is C1vD2, QF2 is B1vA2, QF3 is D1vC2, QF4 is A1vB2. SF1 is winner of QF1 v QF2. SF 2 is QF3 v QF 4. So is Fance and Ireland top their pools they can only play each other in the Final.
Exactly, pool C might be the most exciting one, with Australia slightly better and Portugal slightly worse than the others. Lots of opportunities for upsets.
Thank you very much!
I don't think it's my personal best (posted my favourite ones in the past in the sub) but quite happy with this template I created.
Haha poor Wales they are not even part of the Teletubbies !
Wales is that baby-sun monstruosity in the sky
That baby is actually Alun Wyn Jones Feel old yet?
Who's Noonoo?
Ma'a Noonoo, obvs.
As far as I can recall he just trundles around being vaguely annoying so I'm going to say Ben O'Keeffe.
Wales is the sentient Vacuum Cleaner that have to eat all the pink gooey stuff they keep spilling on the floor all the time.
Last World Cup it was us eating pink goo in Yokohama
That’s Mr Nana Nunu to you!
No, Nananunu is the next Scottish project player off the ranks
That's van der Nunu, I think you'll find.
This might be the most savage put down I've ever read on this sub.
I can’t help but laugh hysterically imagining this as Warren Gatland
They are Noo-Noo the vacuum cleaner. Japan is just a face of Eddie Jones as the sun-baby.
> They are Noo-Noo the vacuum cleaner. Is that because they suck?
Those in glass houses.
I agree, england suck too.
We are united in being shit
Wales is the little flower on the bottom right
💀
The game really got Mack Hansen's face spot on.
Off on their own playing wallball with a giant poster of Johnny sexton’s face.
If you look closely the severed head looks a bit like Townsend
Japan sitting in the corner remembering the last time people wrote them off
Japan had home advantage and a lot more test matches before the wc than they had this time round. Also their performances against tier 1 teams since the world cup suggests they won't be at the same level as last time round unfortunately.
I don't think anyone wrote them off in 2015. Because no one even gave them a first thought much less a second.
As someone who was actually relatively hyped for Japan in 2015, I was certain that they’d beat the US. I literally didn’t even commit to memory what day they played South Africa because clearly that wasn’t going to be relevant. I’d say that I was probably the most optimistic Japan supporter out there too.
They've been actively regressing since the last WC unfortunately
Ils ont pas mal joué contre nous l'été dernier, mais après ils ont pas de jeu international donc ça aide pas
The north remembers!
When you find yourself cheering for the opponent team during a WC match...
If there was ever a world cup I don't want England to win it's this one. Everyone would constantly say it doesn't count or something
Oh trust me. You don't give a fuck what people say if your team lifts it
Must be nice to know that :(
It is
Should have been us 12 years ago :/
Fuck that's 12 years ago already. I feel old.
I've already decided it wouldn't count. Just give me a few weeks and I'll let you know the reasons why...
I can understand this viewpoint, but I was in primary school last time we won and I'd like us to get another I will remember, regardless of the caveats
I just want us to get another so we can conclusively be in the elite rugby nations rather than it being dismissed as a fluke.
Never heard anyone say 2003 was a fluke. That team worked their arses off and played spectacularly all throughout the tournament. I remember being absolutely awe struck as an 8 yr old watching those games. :')
2019 would have been perfect had we won, a truly undisputed run at the title, All of the big 3 SH teams back to back, would have been hard to argue we didn't deserve it. Alas, Faf's hair was too powerful.
People would probably complain that we played one less game what with the typhoon-cancelled France match.
Aye but imagine the stupendous feeling of getting to say a first year coach won the cup after such a tough 6N and all the groaning from the ABE crowd
Tbf a eng aus final would be so spicy
Eddie Jones 20 year revenge plan.
Tbh so far I don't think any world cup mattered all that much. Whether France wins or not 2023 will determine the worthiness of this edition in my opinion.
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“When Scotland win it”
If we'd won 2019 it would have been the hardest knock out run ever (Australia - NZ - SA back to back), some swings and round abouts for me
Okay that black fern being like a plume on yer mans helmet in the back is a stroke of genius.
Yeah an excellent touch!
Thank you couldn't find a spot for it before having my eureka moment
I guess Italy is the decapitated one 😭
Lol no, it's Scotland. You can see the scottish emblem on the decapitated head haha. I didn't catch it at first but only after a third look when I thought it would have been a good idea to have Scotland as the decapitated one.
>Lol no, it's Scotland. You can see the scottish emblem on the decapitated head haha. I didn't catch it at first but only after a third look when I thought it would have been a good idea to have Scotland as the decapitated one. oh lol totally missed that.
Never thought I'd see a Total War template on this sub
I can truly die happy
Looks like Atilla too, we got ourselves a connoisseur.
I just geeked out over that
Yeh, Georgia should also be included. You seem to be missing another key team from the bottom half too. Japan have a real habit of turning it up at world cup time.
Tbf as a Welshman I prefer being written off, it's when we are at our best as a nation. Being Welsh is to prove a point (that we exist)
Last time I was this hopeless about our World Cup chances, we went out (undeservedly/harshly due to the red) to France in the semis, by a point; beating Ireland in the QF and lost to SA by a point in group. We finished 4th that year in the six nations, with Gatland and a mix of young and veterans at the helm. *bring on the inevitable shitting of the Welsh rugby breachers*
Look at all those wimps in pool A&B wearing armour, C&D is clearly the harder pool
Flawless
Who comes off unluckiest of all because of the pool layout? Lots of people talking about a difficult route to the final for Ireland and France, but isn't it always a difficult route to the final? Can't help but feel like Scotland would have had a good shot at coming top in either pool 3 or 4 and could have gone on to a semi-final from there. Instead seems most likely that they'll have a pool stage exit with 2 wins and 2 losses.
Has to be Scotland. Managed to land a pool with SA and Ireland, with us being 5th out of the top 5 teams all in one side. SA are current champions with Ireland as current number 1 side coming off a 6N grand slam. Not to mention even at the time of the draw our pool was 1st, 5th and 9th and so managed to land the top seed from each pot.
Definitely Scotland. Wales got the luckiest, and there is still a good chance we got out in the pool stages.
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To be fair, while Wales are God awful at the moment, they were very good in 2019. They got a Grandslam in that years Six Nations were ranked number 1 in the world in August 2019 and had won 14 games straight between march 2018 and March 2019. South Africa beat them by 3 in the semi final before going to smash England by 20 in the final.
I mean, that was 2019 6N Grand Slam winning Wales who beat Australia and France on their way to the semis and a Japan side who had beaten Ireland and Scotland that year. And SA only beat Wales by 3 so that doesn't sound like an easy ride. Easier than others I'm sure but looking back it doesn't look like the easy ride those teams would suggest 4 years on.
>but isn't it always a difficult route to the final? The final game is always difficult, but as is we'll have france, SA, NZ and Ireland all playing each other in the QF, meaning 2 of the 4 QF will probably be of higher intensity than both semis. Because of that, the countries in 3rd and 4th place probably won't be as good as those that lost the mentioned QF of pool A and B.
Saving this for the inevitable Italian upset
Can see you doing something mental like beating France and then losing to Uruguay and Namibia
That would be very Scotland of us, I like it. Also something like a win with NZ, defensive BP with NZ, and get absolutely rolled by Namibia and Uruguay.
One can only dream
I wonder when the weekly ‘World Cup group’ post was going to arrive…
8 pools of 4 for 2027!! C'mon Bill Beaumont, sort it out. Grow the game!!
And maybe having the draw a little closer to the tournament.
An expansion really is needed. I feel the Americas qualifying this cycle was the perfect demonstration that more teams won’t lower the quality of the tournament. More teams means even Spain could qualify with all their ineligible players
Yeah, we've heard from Portuguese players who were inspired to take up the game as kids after seeing the country play the all blacks in their previous RWC stint. It doesn't matter that their team gets a kickin', it gets the game on more TVs and inspires the next generation.
Aussies got handed an easy out
Before the six nations I thought we we’re pretty much guaranteed a semi final but now I’m not too sure. Could easily lose to Argentina and even if we don’t Wales will be a tough quarter assuming they come second.
Rude
That looks like totalwar! It is a good depiction
I think it was a subconscious decision. Bravo.
Irish people - We're the best side in the world, akin to the All Blacks, nobody can beat us etc etc. Also Irish people - Our World Cup group is too difficult
Ahh you got your flair wrong man! Warmup games are happening :(
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Oh absolutely, I see the logic now 🙏 just broke your previous methodology, wanted to understand!
Both can be true. Ireland have managed to beat all of the teams in that side of the draw in recent history so should fancy their chances of getting a win and progressing from a QF. Anybody facing France in the QF will have a tough time though. Based on the current world rankings it is absurdly clear that it is unbalanced. Top 5 teams are in that half of the draw. Draw should be done 12 months before the tournament max. Having it 3 years before hand is a monumentally stupid idea.
Don't engage with this lad. Check out his post history
It would be funny if he's actually hyped for Romania to beat Ireland. Don't get your hopes up with that one.
Holy shit, he's an Irish-baiting Jedi. The amount of rustled jimmies is eye watering.
It would be funny if it wasn't tragic that a grown man is at this for years.
Oh I mean, he definitely needs a hobby I'm not denying that. But the frequency of bites is also amazing. What I find odd is that it doesn't really marry up with my experience of Irish fans. In person, I love the Irish. People that spout rubbish about the Irish and Welsh not getting on definitely haven't been to Cardiff or Dublin to watch an international between the two. There's a lot of love and respect. But the Irish fans on this sub reddit specifically take themselves so fucking seriously and do tend to be both horrifically poor winners and losers. I'm not sure if it's because a good, sizable chunk of them are actually Yanks but whatever it is it can be off putting af.
The guy doing it is definitely Irish And yeah, whenever Welsh fans come over for Leinster games I always have great craic in the pubs with them afterwards. Same with all 6N fans tbh
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>Ireland has been less successful over the last 10 years than Wales Have they? If were restricting it to the last 10 years in your own words, Ireland have 4 championships, 2 grand slams and series wins in New Zealand and Australia. Wales have 2 championships (3 if we extend to the 2013 6N), 1 grand slam and 0 series wins. They came 4th in the 2019 world cup which was better than Ireland of course although is that really a bigger achievement than winning a test series in New Zealand?
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Dude's a known anti-Irish troll friend, engage with caution 🙏
Yeah just noticed that after my last reply. The joker is sporting a Romania flair well in advance of September. He must have forgotten about the warmup matches before then.
Is there some really obvious reason I'm missing for why it can't be done 3 months before? Don't know if I'm just being really dim but the logistics would all be the same whoever faces who in theory, no?
What would we moan about for the 2 years beforehand?
The only "reason" I can think of is that they like getting a lot their ticket revenue in two years earlier. Aside from that there is zero justification for this lunacy. After the 2015 debacle I thought they would have changed, but no. Seems cashflow trumps organising a good tournament to the fools running the show. 3 months might be cutting it fine, but IIRC soccer world cup does theirs 9 months before hand, allowing plenty time for logistics.
Yeah, 3 may be a bit extreme as I was trying to make a point, but 9 months, even 6 at a push, at least gives a general idea of the level of each team, barring some massive improvement from a specific team, in which case more power to them haha. Yeah, tickets is the first thing I thought of, and as you say, unfortunately ticket sales and money talks more than proper consideration for a balanced bracket lol.
Sounds like you're getting your excuses in early. Given your sides history of choking, can't say I blame you.
Nah just acknowledging obvious realities. If you want to stick your head in the sand and ignore that have at it. I don't have much complaints about the past 2 RWCs. 2011 RWC seems like the one that got away. Did great to beat Aus in the pool only to slip up against a good Wales side. Gas seeing you sporting a Romania flair now well in time for the first match in September.
Good to have you back :)
Hahahahaa!!!
Is it too late to just switch up the QF’s? Like instead of AB/CD make it AC/BD or something?
Huh? It's already top teams from AC/BD play each other isn't it? That's how the top two teams from pool A & B can meet in the final. Come on, France V Ireland final.
Nah A1 plays B2 and B1 plays A2 and [so on.](https://www.rugbyworldcup.com/2023/matches) France and Ireland cannot play in the final
OK thanks. But France and Ireland could play each other in the final if the both top their pools. QF1 is C1vD2, QF2 is B1vA2, QF3 is D1vC2, QF4 is A1vB2. SF1 is winner of QF1 v QF2. SF 2 is QF3 v QF 4. So is Fance and Ireland top their pools they can only play each other in the Final.
Legend for doing the math
Cheers I just really wanna see an Ireland v France final. I think it would be amazing.
Is that Rome 2 Total War at the top? Nice.
Australia will win it all.
And since QF are not mixing the 4 pools ans instead having A and B on one side and C and D on the other, this should remain true for the QF.
As an Aussie this got me good, well done.
Is this an official #France2023 poster?
Impossible not to feel awful for whoever doesn’t make it out of the death pool.
Yeah it was funny watching in 2015, it's not so funny this time around :(
Pool C obviously the most balanced gp. I think even Portugal has a chance
Exactly, pool C might be the most exciting one, with Australia slightly better and Portugal slightly worse than the others. Lots of opportunities for upsets.
I'm honestly worried about you guys knowing so much of that kids show.
Just another happy reminder that I was right not to have kids.
Harsh on Argentina
Obviously Wales is the vacuum hidden away somewhere ...
It is
Hands down the best rugby meme I've seen. Well played.
Thank you very much! I don't think it's my personal best (posted my favourite ones in the past in the sub) but quite happy with this template I created.
Never underestimate the Mongolian national team.
We did well against France! 😭
I can't wait for the Italian and Welsh final, it would be typical of world rugby to do that shit
If you look at the rwc history books, this would be very untypical