GAD Posted September 17, 2023 Share Posted September 17, 2023 Yeah, hope it's expansion. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HibeeJibee Posted September 17, 2023 Share Posted September 17, 2023 Cook Islands, Hong Kong, Kenya, Spain, USA: could they add much? 6 pools of 4 > Last 16 would shorten and be more competitive for small nations, granted; but be a procession for tier 1 sides. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EvilScotsman Posted September 17, 2023 Share Posted September 17, 2023 Surely they'd need to facilitate these teams getting to play the top nations (and England) on a more regular basis, rather than just turning up to a World Cup every 4 years? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
topcat(The most tip top) Posted September 17, 2023 Share Posted September 17, 2023 12 minutes ago, HibeeJibee said: Cook Islands, Hong Kong, Kenya, Spain, USA: could they add much? 6 pools of 4 > Last 16 would shorten and be more competitive for small nations, granted; but be a procession for tier 1 sides. Based on the Current top 24 in the rankings that would give us a draw like this Ireland(1) Italy(12) Georgia(13) Hong Kong China(24) South Africa(2) Samoa(11) Japan(14) Canada(23) France(3) Argentina(10) Tonga(15) Chile(22) New Zealand(4) Fiji(9) Portugal(16) Namibia(21) Scotland(5) Wales(8) Uruguay(17) Spain(20) England(6) Australia(7) USA(18) Romania(19) I'm far from convinced 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 17, 2023 Share Posted September 17, 2023 142-0 and 145-19 under threat based on this start from the Saffers 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zen Archer (Raconteur) Posted September 17, 2023 Share Posted September 17, 2023 'Romania have button down the hatches' It's batten you thick c**t. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GAD Posted September 17, 2023 Share Posted September 17, 2023 2 hours ago, HibeeJibee said: Cook Islands, Hong Kong, Kenya, Spain, USA: could they add much? 6 pools of 4 > Last 16 would shorten and be more competitive for small nations, granted; but be a procession for tier 1 sides. There is Russia, Canada, Zimbabwe as well. I guess it depends what you mean by "add much". Could they win it? Nah, but there have been enough minor upsets in the group stages now to show it's not a complete waste of time having these teams in. Japan went from a team that were usually a 100 point blow out to quarter finalists. Rugby just doesn't do enough to grow the game unfortunately. Letting a few more teams have their moment at the WC is ok by me. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GAD Posted September 17, 2023 Share Posted September 17, 2023 38-0 and the ref still won't give Romania anything. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Savage Henry Posted September 17, 2023 Share Posted September 17, 2023 Some of the contact in this game has been unreal. Not convinced by Dirk Kuyt for Australia. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GAD Posted September 17, 2023 Share Posted September 17, 2023 7 minutes ago, Savage Henry said: Some of the contact in this game has been unreal. Not convinced by Dirk Kuyt for Australia. The French crowd aren't standing for any ref/TMO shenanigans tonight! 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim McLean's Ghost Posted September 17, 2023 Share Posted September 17, 2023 That turnover at the ruck looked dodgy. Went past the ball and clearly put his arms on the ground 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gianfranco Posted September 17, 2023 Share Posted September 17, 2023 Those breakdown penalties really annoy me. The referee gave it really quickly there but I’ve seen refs give teams more time to clear out the man over the ball. It’s the inconsistency. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snobot Posted September 17, 2023 Share Posted September 17, 2023 Glad Brace is finally calling the offside - they’ve been pushing it all game. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snobot Posted September 17, 2023 Share Posted September 17, 2023 Fiji doing lineouts like peak Scotland 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim McLean's Ghost Posted September 17, 2023 Share Posted September 17, 2023 Feel like if Fiji just kept taking the points the Aussies would be rattled. Going to the lineout when they have been dodgy didn't seem like the percentage play. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snobot Posted September 17, 2023 Share Posted September 17, 2023 44 minutes ago, Savage Henry said: Some of the contact in this game has been unreal. Not convinced by Dirk Kuyt for Australia. Dirk just had a mare there 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Savage Henry Posted September 17, 2023 Share Posted September 17, 2023 Just now, Snobot said: Dirk just had a mare there He really has. Shades of Scotland backs of the not so dim and distant past. How did this lot lose to Wales though? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EvilScotsman Posted September 17, 2023 Share Posted September 17, 2023 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparky88 Posted September 17, 2023 Share Posted September 17, 2023 australia are dreadful. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ignoramus Posted September 17, 2023 Share Posted September 17, 2023 Fiji taking off the scrum half kicking like prime Chris Paterson feels like an error 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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