(DIR) Return Create A Forum - Home --------------------------------------------------------- RateTheRef (HTM) https://ratetheref.createaforum.com --------------------------------------------------------- ***************************************************** (DIR) Return to: Non-Footy Board ***************************************************** #Post#: 61645-------------------------------------------------- RWC23 Pool Stage By: RCG Date: March 18, 2023, 3:54 pm --------------------------------------------------------- As 6N has finished the NH sides can turn attention to RWC. The way it is organised and the (un)likelihood of shocks means there arent that many matches that contribute to QF qualification, or finishing 3rd Pool A - NZ, FRA, ITA, URU, NAM S Africa showed 4 years ago that you can win the WC despite losing the "crucial" group match. Fra proved today they are tough to handle at home so I'd expect high calibre refs on their games. FraNZ will be a fire cracker, with ItaNZ and ItaFra the other matches that will determine top 3 here Pool B - SA, IRE, SCO TON, ROM A tough group with 3 huge clashes and Tonga capable of making things tough. Will see some v good refs assigned to this group. Current form would suggest IRE top the group with SA/Sco game also key Pool C - WAL, AUS, FIJ, GEO, POR A difficult group to call given current form. WalAus will be big but you could make an argument that any game not involving POR is key to positional finish. Pool D - ENG, JAP, ARG, SAM, CHI 3 strong teams with WC pedigree and Samoa can make it difficult. A rampant Eng would win at a canter but we have not seen this during 6N JapArg will be huge #Post#: 61674-------------------------------------------------- Re: RWC23 Pool Stage By: Alfie75 Date: March 19, 2023, 7:44 am --------------------------------------------------------- Oh agree its going to be a cracking tournament I've highlighted some battles and made some predictions: Fra v NZ: Gardner, NZ v Ita: Dickson, Fra v Ita: Berry SA v Sco: Carley, SA v Ire: Pearce, Ire v Sco: Williams Wal v Fij: Raynal, Aus v Fij Barnes, Wal v Aus: O Keefe Eng v Arg: Peyper, Eng v Jap: Amashukeli, Jap v Arg: Brace #Post#: 61992-------------------------------------------------- Re: RWC23 Pool Stage By: Hendo Date: March 26, 2023, 3:37 pm --------------------------------------------------------- [quote author=Alfie75 link=topic=4696.msg61674#msg61674 date=1679229864] Oh agree its going to be a cracking tournament I've highlighted some battles and made some predictions: Fra v NZ: Gardner, NZ v Ita: Dickson, Fra v Ita: Berry SA v Sco: Carley, SA v Ire: Pearce, Ire v Sco: Williams Wal v Fij: Raynal, Aus v Fij Barnes, Wal v Aus: O Keefe Eng v Arg: Peyper, Eng v Jap: Amashukeli, Jap v Arg: Brace [/quote] Do we assume from this that you expect Adamson to miss out? #Post#: 62563-------------------------------------------------- Re: RWC23 Pool Stage By: Alfie75 Date: April 10, 2023, 7:26 am --------------------------------------------------------- Yeah I've said before that I just don't think he's at that level yet if I'm honest, the battle is between him and Dickson for me with the Englishman just getting there. *****************************************************