The Rugby World Cup - Japan 2019

We're getting there folks. Less that 50 days to go til lthe big event.

Here's a place to talk about all things world cup as we lead into this most spectacular of events.

https://www.rugbyworldcup.com/

Full fixture list
https://www.rugbyworldcup.com/matches

Teams that are going
https://www.rugbyworldcup.com/teams

Pools:

Pool A

Ireland
Scotland
Japan (Hosts)
Russia
Samoa

Pool B

New Zealand (3x cup holders) Reigning champs
South Africa (2x cup holders)
Italy
Namibia
Canada

Pool C

England (1x cup holders)
France
Argentina
USA
Tonga

Pool D

Australia (2x cup holders)
Wales
Georgia
Fiji
Uruguay


Who do you think has the best chance?
Who will provide this competition's upset?
What pool will see the biggest fight for qualification?
Which of the non seeded teams are looking like they could do well?
Who has the current momentum going into the W/C?


I can't wait. If I could have swung it, I'd have gone over for it.

Fans mixing together    and top quality rugby being played over 6 weeks  

This RWC has the potential to a belter. Love the fact it's in a new rugby territory, I think & hope the Japanese public will get right behind it. I had planned to go as It was my 40th earlier this year, but the arrival of Baby No. 2 scuppered that plan. Gutted as it'll be a while until it returns to country I've not visited before!

Not Rocket Science, but I genuinely believe that any of NZ, SA, Wal, Eng, Ire have a good chance. At the moment SA are my favourites. They have built a great squad and I think they're teh form side at present. That may however change over the next few weeks if NZ splutter into life. There RC performances to date haven't been to the usual standard.

I think Japan will cause the biggest upset. They're at home and are capable of playing excellent attacking rugby, if the opposition allows it. Timothy Lafaele at wing looking on form and really dangerous. Fiji are in with a shout if they can pull together and overcome the political infighting and budget restraints. They have a squad of superstars - can they pull it together as a collective.

Pool C the obvious choice as the most competitive. But an upset by Japan or Fiji could change that.

For the home nations - due to the draw I think it will be either England or Wales that go the furthest. Either side will most likely have to beat NZ in the Semi & SA in the final if the current world rankings are accurate.

Fingers crosses for a quality tournament without too much referee drama impacting results. May the best team win! Cheers!

SA are an odd one. In recent years they simply havent been the force they once were but they really do seem to be building up a head of steam right now.

They really do know how to perform at World Cups too.

It's bonkers as we could easily see Irleand vs NZ in a Q/F where Ireland could win that but then they could be knocked out of the semi.

This world cup really is open and I still think that one of Fiji or Japan could potentially get to the Q/F

Flights and match tickets booked.

Ireland not to get out of the group. I hope they do but I have a bad feeling. I'm normally quite optimistic but I can feel something in my water

Ah jesus, no need to be so negative.

Collapse2005 wrote:Ah jesus, no need to be so negative.

Poor collapse, books his tickets then 2 mins later gets told Ireland will get kicked out befre the Q/F

Haha the jokes on you, I have tickets for the group stages.

Collapse2005 wrote:Haha the jokes on you, I have tickets for the group stages.

That is usually the tactics of the Scottish fans!

BigGee wrote:

Collapse2005 wrote:Haha the jokes on you, I have tickets for the group stages.

That is usually the tactics of the Scottish fans!

"Home before the postcards...."

Haha

Collapse2005 wrote:Haha the jokes on you, I have tickets for the group stages.

I'm more feeling sorry for you as you are going all the way over to Japan to watch ireland lose in a group match against Japan or Scotland

nothing personal, but I hope it's the latter

Our group is pretty tough despite not having any previous champs in it.

Pool B is pretty much a meh, it has NZ and SA in it (probably the top 2 teams currently) but those two should get out of there on easy mode

Pool C is the toughest one I say. Any of Eng, France or Arg can beat each other. And dont go writting off USA not to pick up one good win.

Pool D should see Oz and Wales going through but Fiji are Fiji. They could Hammer Oz one week then get obliterated by Wales the next.

Im going to the Russia game

BigGee wrote:

Collapse2005 wrote:Haha the jokes on you, I have tickets for the group stages.

That is usually the tactics of the Scottish fans!

Correct sir, those are my exact tactics! Cannot wait!

#prayforgroupA

Banana skin matches:

Group A-2
Both Ireland, but more likely Scots, v Japan

B -1
NZ v SA tactical outcome game. They'll both prefer to avoid Ireland especially Kiwis.

C- 3
Eng/Arg/Fr 3 way

D - 2
Both Wales and Aus v Fiji (who look very tight)

"NZ v SA tactical outcome game. They'll both prefer to avoid Ireland especially Kiwis."

So how is it tactical then when its before Ireland play at all?

So NZ will want to beat SA on the theory that Ireland will top their pool.

Then Scotland do their dark horse thing, beat Ireland and top the Group and then all of a sudden the Kiwis end up facing Ireland in the Q/F

Or do NZ predict this and throw the match agaisnt SA so that they finish 2nd and get to play pool topping Scotland?

Tactical play and all that!

Surely every team needs to win every game they play to maintain momentum going into the knock out stages!!!

Neither NZ nor SA will be thinking about Ireland or Scotland going into the SA match. That’s a losing mentality for a side that’s been there a few times.
If a supposedly easier game results, so be it.
Ireland and Scotland will be wondering what they need to do to get past the quarters, that’s understandable as well, knowing they’ll face either a two or three time winner. You’ve got to play the best side at some point, quarter or final to win the title.

NZ would throw their first ever pool match because they think Scotland might upset Ireland?
That’s a good one.

Personally I dont care that Ireland will play a two or three time winner in the quarters. Meaningless. I dont think NZ nor SA would be any tougher than Wales or England for example at this point.

Collapse2005 wrote:Personally I dont care that Ireland will play a two or three time winner in the quarters. Meaningless. I dont think NZ nor SA would be any tougher than Wales or England for example at this point.

I'd much rather face England in a Q/F over NZ. We've never beaten NZ in our history while England havent beaten us since 2017

Mind you if there is ever a time to finally get the win over the blackness, it's in the World Cup

Exactly what we want to be hearing now. In 2007 all we heard was no one will beat the ABs. In 2011 and 2015 about now we were very beatable, particularly before during and after pool play in 15. Better being under pressure and still learning now than bathing in some warped sense of apparent invincibility. The experimentation currently tests as wider depth as we can and keeps everyone on edge. That Hansen is happy with the way things are shaping is a good sign, even if the results aren’t convincing, yet.

I'd be more concerned if we were playing our best side and winning easily.

Cos we'd be learning nothing. Nothing about ourselves, or the opposition.

History has told us that you are never good enough to win this tournament, until you actually have.

Sounds obvious...and that couldn't be further from the truth.

tigertattie wrote:

Collapse2005 wrote:Personally I dont care that Ireland will play a two or three time winner in the quarters. Meaningless. I dont think NZ nor SA would be any tougher than Wales or England for example at this point.

I'd much rather face England in a Q/F over NZ. We've never beaten NZ in our history while England havent beaten us since 2017

Mind you if there is ever a time to finally get the win over the blackness, it's in the World Cup

Scotland came pretty close in their last test v NZ.

Let me guess, AIs?
Seriously though, Scotland have improved over the years though I think they should have let Cotter have longer. They 'all but' spoiled last tournament (I meant to say) so could do again... Ireland in pool or either SA or NZ in quarters.
Don’t think anyone’s taking them lightly. Scotland are now good enough to take anyone in a one off.

This is why what you do now in terms of prep is so critical. As a minimum you need to be ready for three one offs, some, like Fiji or Argie, might need four.

Taylorman wrote:Let me guess, AIs?
Seriously though, Scotland have improved over the years though I think they should have let Cotter have longer. They 'all but' spoiled last tournament (I meant to say) so could do again... Ireland in pool or either SA or NZ in quarters.
Don’t think anyone’s taking them lightly. Scotland are now good enough to take anyone in a one off.

This is why what you do now in terms of prep is so critical. As a minimum you need to be ready for three one offs, some, like Fiji or Argie, might need four.

Its the Jekyll and Hyde nature of the Scotland team. Wonderfully awful.

Total Finnsanity

We're the new France, more French than the French

Tramptastic wrote:

Taylorman wrote:Let me guess, AIs?
Seriously though, Scotland have improved over the years though I think they should have let Cotter have longer. They 'all but' spoiled last tournament (I meant to say) so could do again... Ireland in pool or either SA or NZ in quarters.
Don’t think anyone’s taking them lightly. Scotland are now good enough to take anyone in a one off.

This is why what you do now in terms of prep is so critical. As a minimum you need to be ready for three one offs, some, like Fiji or Argie, might need four.

Its the Jekyll and Hyde nature of the Scotland team. Wonderfully awful.

Total Finnsanity

We're the new France, more French than the French

This is why I hate being a Scotland fan sometimes. It's just so very us to beat Ireland in the pool stages but then lose to Japan also.

Physically and tactically we're right up there but we've got some kind of mental fragility that comes to slap us in the face in 50% of our games.

tigertattie wrote:

Tramptastic wrote:

Taylorman wrote:Let me guess, AIs?
Seriously though, Scotland have improved over the years though I think they should have let Cotter have longer. They 'all but' spoiled last tournament (I meant to say) so could do again... Ireland in pool or either SA or NZ in quarters.
Don’t think anyone’s taking them lightly. Scotland are now good enough to take anyone in a one off.

This is why what you do now in terms of prep is so critical. As a minimum you need to be ready for three one offs, some, like Fiji or Argie, might need four.

Its the Jekyll and Hyde nature of the Scotland team. Wonderfully awful.

Total Finnsanity

We're the new France, more French than the French

This is why I hate being a Scotland fan sometimes. It's just so very us to beat Ireland in the pool stages but then lose to Japan also.

Physically and tactically we're right up there but we've got some kind of mental fragility that comes to slap us in the face in 50% of our games.

I'd stick a tenner on that and expect a good bit of profit

Warm-ups being this weekend, meaning that it’s almost time for England and Ireland to lose to Wales twice each.

I know Gats is the conditioning guru, but Wales playing four games in one weekend is impressive stuff. Let’s just hope it’s not too hot.

Another crap joke Cyril. All the real rugby fans here know the schedule, and know that the warm-ups begin this weekend. Then again you wouldn’t know any of that.

Sigh. Mods, take this one to the sarcasm room for further training.

Poor Cyril. Crying about the mods on the feedback thread, and now crying for the mods here

mikey_dragon wrote:Poor Cyril. Crying about the mods on the feedback thread, and now crying for the mods here

Cyril is his own worst enemy. He will eventually tire himself out or get bored of himself.

Cyril

Collapse2005 wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:Poor Cyril. Crying about the mods on the feedback thread, and now crying for the mods here

Cyril is his own worst enemy. He will eventually tire himself out or get bored of himself.

He’s really obsessed with you Irish though.

Mikey, we all thought it was you he was infatuated with, not a particular nationality.

Well there’s that too. Regarding nationality well I’ve been around long enough to remember when the welsh were the lucky ones, but Cyril has since moved onto the Irish. Maybe he lives there now?

I hear Ireland have now progressed to light stretching exercises now that the Guinness bonding sessions have been discontinued.
Given that the team were given the whole 6N off, I think they'll be getting interested in rugby now at the very right time.

Mind you, they'll still be very rusty and off colour for the mighty friendlies against absolutely sensational fire breathing sides...but I reckon, it'll be a smooth as silk incremental ramping up of invincibility, peaking for the WC final against Argentina.  There's history there, and of course we owe them a bloody nose, so probably fly-in injury replacement McFadden to score the winning drop goal in the end.

Fear has gone.  The cotton wool coffins are opened. The Irish Storm arrives.  "Look in me, he mighty, and Despair!"

Well here's is my unasked for opinion a few weeks out from the big KO in Japan.

On recent form SA and Wales have to be seen as serious contenders for the tournament.
SA have an inspirational leader, a pack that has power and workrate, in Faf they have a little general who is a menace, and some serious pace out wide.

Wales on a record winning run(I think, feel free to correct me) great leader in AWJ. Two quality and different options at 10, quality throughout the back 3 ( as much as he annoys me Sanjay is absolute class) and a pack that can mix it with the best.

NZ although some would say they are below there normal high standards, are still winning games any way possible and have the self belief to win 3 in a row.
Great players throughout the squad and still have to be seen as favourite.

England. They have quality throughout the squad, but as they showed against Scotland are capable of imploding and at times on field decision making seems to let them down.
Also think Farrell will get himself sent off at some point.

Scotland. More French than the French at the moment. One week unbeatable, next week they seem to not understand the game or each other. But I do like the you score 5 we will score 7 attitude.

Ireland. Well my team so I'm a little biased. Leavy is a big loss for us. He gave our back row great balance.
Even still we can field a pack that can take on anyone at set piece time and make yards in the loose.
9 and 10 are they fit? In form? Well we will see. But personally I would have faith in cooney and carberry stepping in and doing the business.

Australia. Well let's be honest they have been poor and I don't think I have seen much improvement in the RC so far. Probably go on to make the final just to spite us all.

Argentinian. Have the potential and the players, but do they have knowledge/temperament.

Fiji. A team of absolute attacking beauty, but can they get organized in defence enough to hold out the bigger teams. In a loose game they will cut you apart.

Japan. As we have seen they will upset someone. Can they make it out of the group.
Playing at home may give them the boost they need.

France. Who fracking knows. Could fight each other could win the whole tournament. Absolute mental case.

Of the other teams
Tonga, Samoa and Georgia will dent a few egos and ribs.
Canada and USA will do as well as they always have.
Russia Namibia and Uruguay will put in decent performance but not bother the bigger teams.
(Having not seen much of any of these teams it's based on nothing at all)

Ohh almost forgot Italy. They have got better, they have some good players. They could upset one of the bigger teams.
But they won't. They will play to finish 3rd in the group.

There you go the world cup teams perfectly and correctly summarised.

France v Australia final for the WTF
Argentina v Japan final for the romantics.
Ireland v anyone final for me
England v Wales final for whoever wins we all lose.

I'd put USA in the same pool as Samoa and Georgia (maybe Tonga dropping out)

The US side are no mugs these days and the Americans have this horrible competitive way about them and they'll have been building for the world cup. Everyone says its a three way fight with England, Arg and France to get out that group, I'm not saying USA will get out, but I think they could give one of these three a fright which could be the decider on who goes through!

USA have as good a chance of an upset as Japan I'd say, possibly better as they've gone under the radar like Japan did in 2015. I doubt they'll get out of the group but there's every chance they may finish above France if the France that played in the 6Ns show up.

You would like to think that England will have learnt from the second half against Scotland, they have the capability to top that pool but both Argentina and France can beat them. I think that pool possibly has the most unknowns, and this is from a Scotland fan who deals with inconsistency on a yearly basis!

I would say England on points difference closely followed by Argentina.

God knows what France will do.

Other pools look more certain, Wales should win theirs, pool B the only question is will it be SA or NZ, pool A is Ireland's to lose, and an opportunity for Scotland or Japan (or hopefully Scotland and Japan, sorry Ireland!).

Either way should be a cracker.

There’s no evidence of Italy improving. They’re worse every year. The better 6 Nations sides thrash them regularly.

Also, USA won’t pose any problems for Eng, Fra or Arg. I would certainly expect England to beat them by 25+

Group A

The schedule seems to be geared towards the hosts getting an upset. They open the tournament on a Friday night and play Ireland on the following Saturday. Ireland play their first game against Scotland on the Sunday so will have a harder test and two fewer rest days.

Japan will also play Samoa on Saturday 5th October and Scotland on Sunday 13th October - another week plus break before one of their big deciders. Scotland play Russia on Wednesday 9th October, so although they'll probably rest players for this fixture they will have a tight turnaround before Japan. Balances out slightly after the schedule in 2015.

Japan, at home, will genuinely feel like a quarter-final contender. If they beat USA this weekend they'll go into the top 10, and it's questionable whether it would even be an upset at this stage.

I'd say Ireland to win the group, Scotland to squeak through after a classic against Japan on the last pool game.

Group B

New Zealand and South Africa will qualify. Their final position will be settled on the second day of the tournament. Italy, although they have a similar "schedule advantage" to Japan, will comfortably finish third and qualify for the next World Cup. Not much interest in this group as an external party. Only danger being that one of the top 2 coming in undercooked?

Group C

I'm happy with England's schedule, if not their draw. Second tournament in a row we've had the strongest third seed (although Fiji are actually ranked above Argentina now, they weren't at the time of the draw). Still, this is a weaker pool than 2015. Despite the success of the Jaguares, Argentina aren't the team of 4 years ago. France are also the weakest second seed, so even if we lose to Argentina we should pull it together for the France game.

Contrary to some on here, I'm not expecting loads from USA. Their best chance would be to catch Argentina on the hop just 4 days after the England game which - if England win - could eliminate Argentina.

I think the group goes with form and England and France go through as 1 and 2 respectively. Argentina 3rd.

Group D

Could this really be the group of death? Wales are the second seeds but the top ranked team. Australia will be dangerous, 4th seeds Fiji are ranked above Argentina (as noted above) in 9th and 3rd seeds Georgia are also in the top 12 (ranked above Italy, Tonga, Samoa and USA). It's hard to know with regards to Fiji and Georgia, as they are probably both in the category "best of Tier 2", but unsure whether they could consistently threaten Tier 1. I'd say this group we could see a team lose 2 and still qualify, as France did in 2011. The only certainty is that Uruguay will pick up 4 big losses.

Wales will go into the Australia game off a 2 day shorter turnaround, and the Fiji game with a 4 day longer turnaround. These advantages may be critical. Wales and Australia are evenly matched so a tiny advantage may make all the difference. Fiji would need to be at their absolute best to challenge Wales, and I'm not sure if how they'll back up on a tight turnaround towards the end of the pool stages.

Australia have the easiest schedule and I fancy them to win all 4 games. Wales 3, Fiji 2.

Predicted QF line-ups:

New Zealand vs Scotland
South Africa vs Ireland
England vs Wales
Australia vs France

Nothing too shocking in there although I doubt it will pan out exactly like that.

Anyone seen Japan's recent games against Fiji and Tonga?

Cracking results for them. I missed the games but wondering how Japan looked?

robbo277 wrote:Group A

The schedule seems to be geared towards the hosts getting an upset. They open the tournament on a Friday night and play Ireland on the following Saturday. Ireland play their first game against Scotland on the Sunday so will have a harder test and two fewer rest days.

Japan will also play Samoa on Saturday 5th October and Scotland on Sunday 13th October - another week plus break before one of their big deciders. Scotland play Russia on Wednesday 9th October, so although they'll probably rest players for this fixture they will have a tight turnaround before Japan. Balances out slightly after the schedule in 2015.

Japan, at home, will genuinely feel like a quarter-final contender. If they beat USA this weekend they'll go into the top 10, and it's questionable whether it would even be an upset at this stage.

I'd say Ireland to win the group, Scotland to squeak through after a classic against Japan on the last pool game.

Group B

New Zealand and South Africa will qualify. Their final position will be settled on the second day of the tournament. Italy, although they have a similar "schedule advantage" to Japan, will comfortably finish third and qualify for the next World Cup. Not much interest in this group as an external party. Only danger being that one of the top 2 coming in undercooked?

Group C

I'm happy with England's schedule, if not their draw. Second tournament in a row we've had the strongest third seed (although Fiji are actually ranked above Argentina now, they weren't at the time of the draw). Still, this is a weaker pool than 2015. Despite the success of the Jaguares, Argentina aren't the team of 4 years ago. France are also the weakest second seed, so even if we lose to Argentina we should pull it together for the France game.

Contrary to some on here, I'm not expecting loads from USA. Their best chance would be to catch Argentina on the hop just 4 days after the England game which - if England win - could eliminate Argentina.

I think the group goes with form and England and France go through as 1 and 2 respectively. Argentina 3rd.

Group D

Could this really be the group of death? Wales are the second seeds but the top ranked team. Australia will be dangerous, 4th seeds Fiji are ranked above Argentina (as noted above) in 9th and 3rd seeds Georgia are also in the top 12 (ranked above Italy, Tonga, Samoa and USA). It's hard to know with regards to Fiji and Georgia, as they are probably both in the category "best of Tier 2", but unsure whether they could consistently threaten Tier 1. I'd say this group we could see a team lose 2 and still qualify, as France did in 2011. The only certainty is that Uruguay will pick up 4 big losses.

Wales will go into the Australia game off a 2 day shorter turnaround, and the Fiji game with a 4 day longer turnaround. These advantages may be critical. Wales and Australia are evenly matched so a tiny advantage may make all the difference. Fiji would need to be at their absolute best to challenge Wales, and I'm not sure if how they'll back up on a tight turnaround towards the end of the pool stages.

Australia have the easiest schedule and I fancy them to win all 4 games. Wales 3, Fiji 2.

Predicted QF line-ups:

New Zealand vs Scotland
South Africa vs Ireland
England vs Wales
Australia vs France

Nothing too shocking in there although I doubt it will pan out exactly like that.

If it follows the form, that's a set of games that could really open up the tournament to anyone.

Cyril wrote:There’s no evidence of Italy improving. They’re worse every year. The better 6 Nations sides thrash them regularly.

Also, USA won’t pose any problems for Eng, Fra or Arg. I would certainly expect England to beat them by 25+

I dont think USA will get out the group but I think they will have an almighty say in who does!

England should beat them but Argentina or France could be undone by them.

We could be in a position where Argentina beat France so are in pole position to qualify but then Argentina Lose to USA which opens everything right back up again.

Bonus points are going to be crucial I think.

Likewise France or Argentina could beat England so this makes things even more interesting.

Argentina are way better than USA, no chance they will lose to them.

Has the weekend games done anything to make folk think again?

I know one off games can be a bit iffy to base things on but when you look at them with other results does a picture start to form?

Have Aus woken from a slumber?
SA spanking Arg must have dented the Argentine confidence? Bosoted SA's surely!
England look to be rolling forward with thier power play
Japan are building with a decent win away in the states!

tigertattie wrote:Has the weekend games done anything to make folk think again?

I know one off games can be a bit iffy to base things on but when you look at them with other results does a picture start to form?

Have Aus woken from a slumber?
SA spanking Arg must have dented the Argentine confidence? Bosoted SA's surely!
England look to be rolling forward with thier power play
Japan are building with a decent win away in the states!

Well I predicted this and it's not looking too bad after this weekend's games.

New Zealand vs Scotland
South Africa vs Ireland
England vs Wales
Australia vs France

I still think NZ will top their group and I still think Japan will miss out. Although I'd echo my earlier point that I wouldn't see Japan qualifying as a big upset - if an upset at all - given what they did in 2015, their results since, the fact that they're the hosts and their schedule.

You obviously think Wales will lose to Australia? Good chance they will though they are probably still a better side than Oz.