2023 RWC Buildup, Squads, Fixtures 'etc'

pickarooney · 12-10-2023 11:22AM

I'd love to be able to afford even a ticket. Transport and accommodation could be arranged

Buer · 12-10-2023 11:26AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121227238#Comment_121227238

There's the very significant difference that we knew we were playing Scotland and the date of the game for months and months in advance.

Up to one week ago, we didn't know for sure which QF we were going to be in. I really hope we've 65k+ but I'd have said something closer to 50k.

Either way, green will dominate the stands.

Quin_Dub · 12-10-2023 11:32AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121227740#Comment_121227740

People would still have planned to travel for the QF week-end - Both possible games were going to be in Paris (because France were going to be in them) and once the teams were locked there would have been a marketplace for fans swapping tickets between the two Paris based games.

I don't think the timescale will be much of factor in the numbers in attendance.

Ireland fans will out number NZ fans by close to 3:1 at least.

12-10-2023 11:49AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121226823#Comment_121226823

I forgot that was his first name! Very...intellectual. Maybe it's common in South Africa.

AndyBoBandy · 12-10-2023 12:34PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121227740#Comment_121227740

Yeah, I think the Irish always find a way... and with this being probably our best chance of ever ending the knockout game 'curse', and with it being against the All Blacks... it has the potential to be of biblical significance.. and regardless of the outcome, the atmosphere is going to be boiling!

A lot of the partisans will probably be behind us too... At the Scotland game, we were sat next to 2 Dutch lads, who just love rugby and were going to as many games as possible, and they were both decked out in Ireland jerseys.. and one of them was delighted when the area we were in started singing Molly Malone, because it's the only Irish song he knew the words to, so was belting it out!... few French behind us too were wearing green..

I'm also now looking at what clothes to bring and decided not to bring the black hoodie that I brought to Paris last weekend!!

pixelburp · 12-10-2023 01:05PM

Assuming there are any neutrals left in the stands, or in the environs: who do we reckon are the neutral's choice?

Scythica · 12-10-2023 01:33PM

The amount of green shirts around Paris and at the SA game was mental.

The amount of green shirts at the Scotland game was way above again...

This weekend will be crazy busy, I'll have to give it a miss but if we get into Semis then may have to start scrouging for a ticket

Ben Bailey · 12-10-2023 06:49PM

More tragic news affecting the Fiji camp. Wonder if this will draw them closer and more determined to perform.

IMG-20231012-WA0000.jpg

13-10-2023 12:00AM

I was looking at the All Black documentary 'Day of the Tackle' from RWC 1991.

NZ beat Italy 31-21 in a pool game. I know Italy were strong in the 90s. 6 nations doesn't seem to have lifted them, 23 years on.

Dave_The_Sheep · 13-10-2023 12:02AM

Or everyone else is getting better as well. Just at a faster rate.

13-10-2023 12:11AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121230561#Comment_121230561

True. But you'd expect they're in a better position to develop than in the 1990s, getting top rugby club and country.

Maybe it was easier for certain countries in the amateur era.

eagle eye · 13-10-2023 01:06AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121225028#Comment_121225028

Ireland are the no. 1 ranked team, when was France home for Ireland?

pickarooney · 13-10-2023 05:43AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121230621#Comment_121230621

Last week

AndyBoBandy · 13-10-2023 06:40AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121230703#Comment_121230703

Can confirm.

Jacovs · 13-10-2023 08:53AM

Springbok team vs France:

15 Damian Willemse, 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Cheslin Kolbe, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Pieter-Step du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Steven Kitshoff

Substitutes: 16 Deon Fourie, 17 Ox Nche, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Faf de Klerk, 22 Handre Pollard, 23 Willie le Roux

sydthebeat · 13-10-2023 09:04AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121231175#Comment_121231175

reads very much as a "caught in two minds" selection

i don't believe that team has the power across the 23 to beat france, yet hes selected a back line predicated on them getting enough gainline to be released. in my opinion the either he should have all out power with a 6/2 bench, pollard starting ... or gone for mobility with faf and weisse starting.

advantage france i think

eagle eye · 13-10-2023 09:17AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121231225#Comment_121231225

I have to say I'm not a huge fan of Libbok. Good replacement maybe but I'd start Pollard or Willemse there. You are not getting enough out of Willemse at full back. He should be 10 or 12, you need him more involved around the breakdown. He's just too talented and creative to be sitting out the back.

Hurrache · 13-10-2023 09:52AM

I see Dupont, despite being named as captain, is playing against his surgeon's advice and was asked to sign a waiver.

edit, just to clarify twitter being twitter take that as you will, only source I see at the moment is Sam Peters

https://twitter.com/PlantedSam/status/1712742656277684373

twinytwo · 13-10-2023 09:57AM

Can you imagine the absolute melt down that will ensue if both SA and NZ go home this weekend? Rassie will have an aneurysm.

eagle eye · 13-10-2023 10:10AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121231489#Comment_121231489

That's crazy and shouldn't be allowed happen. You'll see more players looking to do this and that's not a good thing. I think World Rugby should step in and order France not to let him play.

eagle eye · 13-10-2023 10:11AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121231511#Comment_121231511

Why would Rassie care about New Zealand?

Rassie is very competitive and it has brought huge success to South Africa. He might not be a likeable person buts he's excellent at his job.

Quin_Dub · 13-10-2023 10:17AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121231595#Comment_121231595

Agreed

Players will always want to play, they should not be allowed to over-rule medical advice under any circumstances.

Jacovs · 13-10-2023 10:21AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121231225#Comment_121231225

I honestly dont know enough about the French team to say who has the advantage or not.

They do have home advantage of course.

I am glad they didnt rush Am back into the team though. Not sure when they will use him, if we do go further in the competition.

I cant really see anyone they shouldve picked over someone who has been picked. Maybe Jasper Wiese over Kwagga, but Kwagga has that utility aspect, even though its a 5/3 split and he shouldnt be needed in the back line.

Quin_Dub · 13-10-2023 10:25AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121231665#Comment_121231665

The Pollard selection is an odd one for me.

If he's in the 23 he should be starting - He's not a "game changer" type player and if Libbock/Willemse have already missed kicks at goal , bringing him on doesn't give you those points back.

Start Pollard , take your points when offered and then Libbock comes on with 20 to go to up the tempo or change the game if required.

Jacovs · 13-10-2023 10:45AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121231679#Comment_121231679

Seems to me they are trying to show some confidence in Libbok, sticking with him even though the nr1 choice is back. Picking him on the bench might have given his confidence a knock.

I dont entirely disagree with what you said though, beat them up front with the usual game plan, then bring on the more attacking players.

But, that might be what the French are expecting too, so trying to mix it up a bit. Could be disaster or a stroke of genius.

Whether that is misguided by the team selectors, we will know by the end of the game sunday.

boccy23 · 13-10-2023 11:06AM

Intrigued that the French have gone 6-2 on the bench coupled with the Dupont injury risk.

Shehal · 13-10-2023 11:08AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121231489#Comment_121231489

Obviously we should take what one twitter account says who I assume isn't involved in the surgery as gospel but tbh this makes sense. It did feel all along that Dupont was being rushed into this game and it feels wrong personally.

chris85 · 13-10-2023 11:17AM

If true about Dupont being allowed to play against Surgeon's advice that is awful. The player will always want to play. This has been his goal for years probably as a kid and his focus for 4 years. And if he signed a waiver to not go after the FFR would be appalling.

But the story probably needs more real info. Possibly will come out in coming days and weeks.

FrancieBrady · 13-10-2023 11:21AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121231894#Comment_121231894

Bound to have a massive impact on how someone plays. With all the mind control techniques and best will in the world his instinct will be to protect it. That is going to affect his game in a big way.

Whatever about his own decision making it could be a massive brain fart by management to play him.

Shehal · 13-10-2023 11:26AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121231957#Comment_121231957

And if this injury end's up being aggravate and, god forbid, he gets a hit and leads to a life changing injury than imagine the amount of lawsuits that will be flying around along with the long term damage this will have on Dupont's future both on and off the pitch all because of one game (regardless of how important the game is). I did feel all along the way France were saying "remember, hit Dupont anywhere on the face is a red card" that this is France's way of saying they are apprehensive about him playing as well.

2023 RWC Buildup, Squads, Fixtures 'etc'

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