The Lemon Fool

Looking back in time
https://newsthump.com/2023/10/23/hubble ... world-cup/
doolally

I'm not a rugby fan, but I do wonder why the competition is over such a long period of time. Is it because it's a very physical game so teams need a long recovery period between games, or is it a ruse to trap the supporters in France so they spend a lot of money on hotels etc to boost the french economy?

--kiloran

It's cos they get the stuffing knocked out of them and they need time to recover between matches.

I see World Rugby have today voted to increase the mens RWC to 24 teams from 2027

They also voted to implement the Nations League, 2 divisions of 12, from 2026. Each league runs for 2 years, and from 2030 there will be promotion/relegation.

The world cup will be based on 6 pools of 4, with the top 2 + 4 best 3rd place teams going through to a round of 16 knockout.

* 1 less pool game each
* even number of teams per pool, so pool finished in 3 w/e not 5
* 1 extra knockout round, so tournament completed 1 w/e less than current

I think it makes it safer for the big nations to be sure of getting through the pool, and largely removing the concept of pool of death (I think that's a shame), and it restricts the number of lower ranked teams per pool so maybe less chance of seeing Portugal/Georgia or Japan/Samoa type games.

I know there are perceived issues with the numbers of Big team/Small team drubbings in the RWC, but I'm unconvinced that this will address it. There'll be more certainty for teams in going from 24 teams to 16, but then there will be quite a wide range of quality in many of those R16 matches and perhaps only 2 or 3 will be competitive.

Of course, a different view on all of this is that they've done this just so that Ireland can win a knockout match!

kiloran wrote:I'm not a rugby fan, but I do wonder why the competition is over such a long period of time. Is it because it's a very physical game so teams need a long recovery period between games, or is it a ruse to trap the supporters in France so they spend a lot of money on hotels etc to boost the french economy?

--kiloran

theers some report or whatever simewhere that says its like being repeatedly in a car crash wrt g-forces etc.

Do that for 80 minutes and see what you are like 3 days later.

Admittedly I played a hundred yerars ago and was at a very low level, but most Sundays i wasnt in much state to do much more than walk downstairs, have some cereal and lay in a hot bath for an hour. Being front row probably didnt help !

kiloran wrote:I'm not a rugby fan, but I do wonder why the competition is over such a long period of time. Is it because it's a very physical game so teams need a long recovery period between games, or is it a ruse to trap the supporters in France so they spend a lot of money on hotels etc to boost the french economy?

--kiloran

It's also because they have brought in a load of diddy teams to the tournament to make it seem like it's a 'truly global sport'

didds wrote:

kiloran wrote:I'm not a rugby fan, but I do wonder why the competition is over such a long period of time. Is it because it's a very physical game so teams need a long recovery period between games, or is it a ruse to trap the supporters in France so they spend a lot of money on hotels etc to boost the french economy?

--kiloran

theers some report or whatever simewhere that says its like being repeatedly in a car crash wrt g-forces etc.

Do that for 80 minutes and see what you are like 3 days later.

Admittedly I played a hundred yerars ago and was at a very low level, but most Sundays i wasnt in much state to do much more than walk downstairs, have some cereal and lay in a hot bath for an hour. Being front row probably didnt help !

Be thankful they hadn't discovered the benefits of laying in an ice bath back then (I know I am).

Laughton wrote:
Be thankful they hadn't discovered the benefits of laying in an ice bath back then (I know I am).

well, truth be told I then later on had a "career" as a triathlete and i used to have at least very cold water baths when getting in from a long run or ride!

But I 100% agree!

Well the Boks have gone 7-1 on the replacements' bench - a big call in the final with only one back replacement. I suspect that their forwards are knackered after the last 2 weekends.

T7

terminal7 wrote:Well the Boks have gone 7-1 on the replacements' bench - a big call in the final with only one back replacement. I suspect that their forwards are knackered after the last 2 weekends.

T7

I feel a bit sorry for Libbok being out of the 23, and hope that Pollard lasts 80!

I think they're trying to reproduce their Twickenham performance and just blow them away. Should be some game!

The Boks really are rolling the dice yet again. Pollard is no spring chicken. This will be a super fast paced game if the ABs get their way. No specialist hooker or scrumhalf available if either pick up an injury.

It could work for the Boks or the whole thing could unravel.

Not sure who will win tonight.....contrary to mythology I believe both teams will really want to win.