Rugby World Cup

64 watchers

paulcook Sep 2023 3:20pm, 25 Sep 2023 3,260 posts	0 paulcook The Scotland group was about as difficult a group on world rankings as is possible. If the draw were done today (on current rankings) Ireland and South Africa would have been in the same pot, and Scotland in pot 2. The theoretical third team in the group would have come from Argentina, Australia, Italy or Japan.
jda Sep 2023 3:24pm, 25 Sep 2023 15,491 posts	0 jda I think having 1, 2 and 5 (is that right?) in one group is worse than random would have been likely to do.
SPR Sep 2023 3:27pm, 25 Sep 2023 42,756 posts	0 SPR Lots of things that aren't really fair can build excitement.
paulcook Sep 2023 3:40pm, 25 Sep 2023 3,261 posts	0 paulcook If you want to win it, you have to get through a group no matter how easy or how hard that group is. Though an easier group probably helps maintain resources especially in a physical game like Rugby Union for the latter stages.
Cheg Sep 2023 3:49pm, 25 Sep 2023 3,968 posts	0 Cheg Scotland have made the semi-finals once in the 10 times they have been at the World Cup. They have won 25 games. 18 of which were against the combined might of Zimbabwe, Uruguay, USA, Spain, Samoa, Russia, Romania, Portugal, Italy, Ivory Coast and Georgia. The others were against Ireland (1), Fiji (1), Tonga (2), Japan (3). There record against Argentina, South Africa, New Zealand, France, Ireland, Australia and England is..... P 19 W1 D1 L17 Cry more.
HappyG(rrr) Sep 2023 3:49pm, 25 Sep 2023 47,836 posts	0 HappyG(rrr) Agree paul, if Scotland were even final contenders they should be able to beat one of South Africa or Ireland. They're not consistently good enough to do that. But we're probably better than England, Fiji, Japan or others who might slide into the Quarters! However, that's just luck of the draw. It's a been a great spectacle so far, with some cracking games and wonderful crowds, settings and drama. G
SPR Sep 2023 3:53pm, 25 Sep 2023 42,757 posts	0 SPR What Scotland have done in the past is irrelevant. The fact the World Rugby are making a change is good.
Badger Sep 2023 5:48pm, 25 Sep 2023 16,577 posts	0 Badger Cry more. It would be nice to keep the level above "your team smells," don't you think? Scotland are currently at their highest world ranking ever, with their most successful coach ever, in a group where the best they can realistically hope for is automatic qualification for the next WC. As SPR says, the past isn't particularly relevant to that. Anyway. Let's argue about something else. Ford or Farrell to start? I think Ford; to quote one of my friends, it's a lot harder to steer 14 men to a win against the Pumas than it is to look good against the lowest ranked side in the tournament. Smith on the bench with Farrell for the late sub role that he's very good at.
Cheg Sep 2023 6:28pm, 25 Sep 2023 3,969 posts	0 Cheg I’m tired of England are lucky smiley face. England are rubbish smiley face. I kept it at that level.
Badger Sep 2023 6:51pm, 25 Sep 2023 16,580 posts	0 Badger [ citation needed ]