2023 RWC Buildup, Squads, Fixtures 'etc'

Pete_Cavan · 27-10-2023 06:17AM

I think NZ will get the job done. SA will be tired after two big efforts, it showed last weekend already. Sticking with the same first team will be their downfall, Bongi in particular has been asked to do too much. I can see a big start from NZ and SAs bench won't be enough to turn it around.

Despite what others have said, NZ would be worthy winners (if they win). Not as good as previous NZ teams but still be great team. They are deceptively good on both sides of the ball. Their attack to put them in front in the first half, their defence to get them over the line in the second.

Jacovs · 27-10-2023 07:04AM

You cant turn on a radio without hearing about rugby, or a rugby related song, or even the anthem twice in the 90 minutes ive been at work this morning.

Kids to school in springbok clothes, flags waving from cars/houses, most people wearing springbok shirts or jerseys.

Restaurants and shops doing springbok promotions and specials, some even giving stuff away free.

Its great.

4 years ago I was still living in Ireland when we won the world cup, I wore my springbok t-shirt to work, while everyone else was in uniform.

Podge_irl · 27-10-2023 07:45AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121288810#Comment_121288810

They are quite literally (slight) underdogs with the bookies though!

Bookies don't actually arbitrage bets as much as you think. Money going on them will shift odds for sure, but it won't cause them to flip favourites etc and they definitely don't open a market with the odds they think will attract most money - they open a market with what they think the actual odds are.

Also I'd definitely have NZ as favourites.

Augme · 27-10-2023 08:05AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121288893#Comment_121288893

I think you're the one who needs a explanation on how bookies work. Especially given how youn think a match that was won four years is a important mster when determining who is favourites in a match that is played today. 😂

Yeah_Right · 27-10-2023 09:18AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121289197#Comment_121289197

When I worked in the gambling industry it was all about profit. Yeah they don't tend to flip favourites that often but it is all about the margin.

Yeah_Right · 27-10-2023 09:19AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121289239#Comment_121289239

So having players and coaches who have won a RWC before is irrelevant. Good to know.

Augme · 27-10-2023 09:37AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121289518#Comment_121289518

I never said it was irrelevant. I said that the idea that winning a world cup four years ago plays a big factor in determining who is favourites that what has happened in the last three weeks is ridiculous.

eagle eye · 27-10-2023 09:49AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121289197#Comment_121289197

Bookies flip favourites in tight games all the time. They want to balance the books and have as close as they can an even amount of people on both sides at negative odds.

TheRona · 27-10-2023 09:55AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121289084#Comment_121289084

If SA would be deserving winners, then NZ absolutely would be. They play more complete rugby, and would have beaten the World #1 on the way to the title.

eagle eye · 27-10-2023 10:03AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121289588#Comment_121289588

Ah sure you'd have to consider who won it eight years ago too. Like Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Sam Cane and Aaron Smith were in that team.

Like that could have a huge bearing on what happens in this final. 😁

Unless of course you are not allowed go back any more than four years!!!

Schorpio · 27-10-2023 10:22AM

Is it just me, or is there zero hype for this game? I know there's a deflation around the feeling that we could have been in it, but still - it's a world cup final.

I've no doubt that it will be a great game, but I reckon it just reinforces the point that the prospect of either of these two winning (again) is an overall loss for World Rugby.

eagle eye · 27-10-2023 10:30AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121289779#Comment_121289779

I think it's just people in this country who are deflated after having such high hopes.

If Ireland weren't in it or not expected to do anything I think there'd be a lot more interest in it.

After all it's the World Cup, it's about the best vs the best.

I'm definitely interested. And for the sake of Irish people I want New Zealand to win well. That'll show people that we met the best team in the tournament and were second best in the tournament.

We beat one of the finalists and came very close to beating the other.

OldRio · 27-10-2023 12:04PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121289816#Comment_121289816

Or if SA win it. Ireland were the only team to beat the World Cup winners.

pixelburp · 27-10-2023 12:46PM

I think there also might be a little resignation; that after all the talk, the hope, that we might see an all Northern Hemisphere final coupled with the talk of New Zealand's supposed collapse, the final being the usual SH teams is a bit disappointing.

swiwi_ · 27-10-2023 01:06PM

I’m obviously pleasantly surprised NZ has made it to the final but disappointed France is not there. France vs any of NZ, Ire or SA would have made for a great final IMO. I get the impression a lot of people are in the “anybody but NZ” camp (which I understand) but the French are definitely supporting NZ. I went to the rugby shop in the fanzone in Paris last weekend and could not see a single black jersey. “All sold out” the shop assistant said. There are most definitely not enough kiwis in Paris to sell out all the rugby jerseys!

Schorpio · 27-10-2023 01:14PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121290266#Comment_121290266

I think this is it. If even France were still in it, I reckon there would be way more interest than there is.

If I were World Rugby, I'd want to pull in as much of the neutral audience as possible, and I reckon the SA vs NZ final is probably the worst outcome for that.

C'est la vie, as the French would say!

27-10-2023 01:21PM

I know the novelty of France or Ireland (and naturally being Irish) in a final would be great. But the 2 superpowers of rugby going at it for the once in 4 years massive prize is still fascinating.

And we have those Irish links with the SA Munster players and I'd be very happy for Joe Schmidt. I know last week it felt like he was the main man in out thinking us, but he is a gentleman and he has done so much for Irish rugby. He's with his homeland and doing what he has to do.

And of course my mam's first cousin is spiritual adviser to the Barretts!!

sydthebeat · 27-10-2023 01:26PM

....

FrancieBrady · 27-10-2023 02:36PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121290404#Comment_121290404

If my kids and their peers are anything to go by, the sale of jerseys is not in any way linked to support for the teams.

They buy them because they like the style/design.

Two lads here have jerseys from all over the place some from sports they don't even follow.

27-10-2023 03:13PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121290908#Comment_121290908

All Blacks, and to a lesser extent Springbok jerseys were cool with children, and even 20 somethings as a kind of fashion accessory, since the game went pro and they were more readily available in sports shops in the mid 90s.

There was always a fella or 2 wearing the old ones with the collar in the pub or disco back in the day!

Yeah_Right · 27-10-2023 03:40PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121290404#Comment_121290404

Agree with being pleasantly surprised about the ABs being in the final and I'm disappointed the French aren't. I wouldn't absolutely hate losing to the French but I hate losing to the Saffas. I've always found that French fans have a bit of an affinity for the ABs. When I've been in France I've had some great rugby chats with random people when they've realised I was a kiwi. Especially in the south of the country.

Yeah_Right · 27-10-2023 03:42PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121291036#Comment_121291036

When I first arrived in Dublin I quickly learnt that just because someone was wearing ABs gear, it didn't mean they were a kiwi 😆 Or even a rugby fan. A lot seemed to just like the kit.

swiwi_ · 27-10-2023 03:42PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121290908#Comment_121290908

I agree. But living in Switzerland where there are lots of French and having been in France last week, the French are definitely supporting NZ ahead of SA. Whereas I think most Irish are supporting SA (or neither team).

FrancieBrady · 27-10-2023 03:44PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121291157#Comment_121291157

Was in a big group at an event last night and nobody wanted SA to win it. Almost all wanted NZ to win.

Not sure you are correct there.

27-10-2023 03:54PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121291153#Comment_121291153

One fella I know, who hadn't a clue, kept getting asked about Super 14 match results 😅

27-10-2023 03:59PM

It depends a bit here in Laois (the home of rugby). I think some have gone over to the Boks as they feel the ABs were a bit lippy after beating us.

The reality is we all get a bit lippy when there's a bit of rivalry after brewing and are delighted with a win.

It has been my experience that fans break down into the same percentages of humble, boasters, rub it in merchants across all countries... except the Welsh, they're full of themselves 😅

27-10-2023 04:04PM

70-80% chance of rain 5pm to 10pm.

Who does it suit? New Zealand as they're more used to the conditions. Will they target the SA small wingers etc. Granted Kolbe is excellent in the air for his height.

South Africa, more scrums?

Or will it make no negligible difference at all.

sydthebeat · 27-10-2023 04:08PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121291157#Comment_121291157

the closer to munter you get, the more bok supporters you get, and as usual the more vocal they become about it. :D

for most of the people i've talked to about it here (also in laois) its actually more AB because they recognise they play the more watchable and attractive rugby. There's no real like or dislike depending on personality of nation.

for myself, id prefer to see ABs winning for the above reason, but really couldn't be bothered either way if SA won. Im just hoping for a "game for the ages" with possibly extra time and pens.

speaking of pens, are we back to the 5 kicks then sudden death with new kickers, or are we at 3 kickers from 3 positions a la HC?

fitz · 27-10-2023 04:25PM

I'll be pretty disappointed if NZ don't win, I'll be roaring them on, tbh. SA winning would be awful given the brand of rugby they play, and how it would be seen as a validation of the toxic culture Rassie promotes, imo. I think a lot of casual fans in Ireland aren't really aware of Rassie or how damaging he is to the culture of the sport... They may just want to see NZ beaten because they knocked us out. I'd expect though that most invested Irish rugby fans would prefer to see NZ win than SA.

Podge_irl · 27-10-2023 05:03PM

Rassie is single-handedly enough to make me support even Wales over SA.

2023 RWC Buildup, Squads, Fixtures 'etc'

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