2023 RWC Buildup, Squads, Fixtures 'etc'

30 seconds was never going to make any difference though!

They were always, always going to be scoring their last try with the clock in the red. So the time on the clock made no difference.

Whether they are 30 seconds into the red or 90 makes no difference. Its sudden death.

In the argument for the importance of 30 seconds, I present to you Exhibit A:

They'll be very disappointed with that performance from a couple of angles. actually I have no idea what they thought would happen. SA played how they play, ferocious linseed to undermine half back decision making and continuity, etc. but Russell played right onto it and didn't adjust at all. Example was SA's cross field kick try, Scotland had been plugging away in the SA half but going backwards on every phase as defense got into Russell's channels, on turn over the South Africans moved down the field and within a few phases went for the kick once the wide space opened up. Russell had had several similar opportunities in the earlier sequence but didn't take them. Like Ireland in 2019, plan A has to work.

I think commentators generally make a bigger effort to be impartial than they used to. Obviously, at the WC their words are going to be heard by many neutrals beyond their own country.

Curry seems hard done by. However, it’s a new area in rugby. I think it’s inevitable that there will be a fair bit of inconsistency.

I’m beginning to wonder about contested high balls at all at this stage. If only the defence were allowed to jump and had to be given space when landing, it would cut down on the frequency of injuries per catch and also on the number of such balls launched. Alternatively, no jumping?

No jumping would be a real loss as it is such a fantastic skill and also a massive tactical defensive weapon. I actually think there are way less clumsy challenges and very few injuries (I've seen) from people clattering into jumpers since they started hading out red cards. It's one of the big successes of the effort to reduce injuries. I know we've seen a few already in the World Cup but 2 of those were Will Jordan who I think was just having a really bad day.

Having had a long chat with a good rugby pal tonight, I've (we've) realised that there are multiple negative aspects to this WC so far, unfortunately.

I kind of knew that they all existed, but it's a little disheartening when they're all listed off together:

(and in no particular order of importance)

1) the rules and consequences over head collisions being utterly farcical and random

2) the child's choir singing national anthems (they're not even there as they sing!!!)

3) the lack of personnel to accommodate swift entry to the stadia resulting in queues and fans missing kick off

4) the lack of replays... Blatantly obvious. Has to be a directive given how obvious it is, but doubt we'll get honest acknowledgement of that.

5) journalists reporting that facilities are sub-par at venues-not even basic WiFi provided (as per gerry thornley)

6) the ticket website is a holy joke. Only positive is that France have the same rules as Ireland about ticket touting. But good luck trying to get a ticket legitimately given how much time the site spends "under maintenance"

7) the realistic potential of strike on public transport or air traffic control.

8) the main stadium (stade de France) is located in an area where the standard advice if attending a game there is to "not hang around". (unless you're a Liverpool supporter in 2022)

9) France might win it.