Rugby World Cup

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richmac Sep 2023 9:49pm, 24 Sep 2023 23,563 posts	0 richmac 'almost' The weight of history is huge tonight. I think both teams will be moved to tears. Before going to the pub.
Badger Sep 2023 10:05pm, 24 Sep 2023 16,572 posts	0 Badger I've heard too many Australia fans talking garbage like "best thing in the world is watching us winning, second best thing is watching England losing" to have the faintest sympathy with 'em.
richmac Sep 2023 10:09pm, 24 Sep 2023 23,564 posts	0 richmac Totally, I remember all the bs headlines about "now 2 continents hate you" and such shite. Off you fuck Australia, see you in 4 years
Pothunter Sep 2023 10:10pm, 24 Sep 2023 8,264 posts	0 Pothunter Aus have been on a decline for a few years now.
Nellers Sep 2023 6:32am, 25 Sep 2023 41,289 posts	0 Nellers Why is that, though? I'm not an huge rugby fan or follower, far less an expert, but my expectation is that when the dust settles the All Blacks, Australia and South Africa are likely to be in the Semis of a world cup, draw permitting, along with France, England or one of the other home nations. Is it that the Aussies have got worse or have the home nations just got a lot better?
richmac Sep 2023 7:11am, 25 Sep 2023 23,566 posts	0 richmac Think it's many layered. Aus has a relatively small population and Rugby isn't as popular as it once was. Think there are organisational issues as well, Jones has alluded to that. Then Jones' decision, quite the opposite of Borthwick, to leave a few old hands at home. If you are in the camp of International sport is about the results NOW then it's backfired, badly. If you take Eddie's point that's it's about 2027 then he may be onto something.. alternatively be might have formed a core of players who are used to losing. Either way I can't see him taking the next squad to the next WC.
LindsD Sep 2023 7:11am, 25 Sep 2023 64,057 posts	0 LindsD I've been watching Ireland for about 20 years, and OH has been watching them for longer, and we were saying after the match that we've never seen them playing so well, even when they won the grand slam.
richmac Sep 2023 7:53am, 25 Sep 2023 23,568 posts	0 richmac Totally agree, but how will they be after the raft of retirements that are planned after this? Hoping a generation is inspired to play in Green.
LindsD Sep 2023 7:59am, 25 Sep 2023 64,059 posts	0 LindsD True
TROSaracen Sep 2023 8:35am, 25 Sep 2023 27,004 posts	0 TROSaracen Ireland have a superb academy system through the regions, very cohesive and under 20 results suggest that the conveyer belt will keep going. They are much better at turning under 20 talent into fully fledged internationals than England, where many/most get lost. Zach Mercer for example was a staggering under 20 talent who got so disillusioned he ended up in France (where he has pulled up trees all year and they cannot understand how he was not picked for the WC). Irish rugby is in a great place, although replacing a once in a generation player like Sexton will be a challenge.