As much as the World Cup is seen as the ‘prize’ competition, it really doesn’t cut it for the players or fans because there are so many variables which are allowed to influence the outcome of the competition. The most glaring is the pool draw taking place months in advance of the contest, allowing for some countries to have an easy route to the play-offs while others face a brick wall every step of the way.
It is extremely difficult for those countries from the lower tiers that seldom have fixtures against Tier 1 nations to know how far they need to raise their game to even get out of the pool stage of the contest.
If you have a little knowledge of the game, you can virtually predict the countries that will reach the knockout stages as soon as the draw is made because of the structure of the pools with each usually having two Tier 1 nations who dominate. I understand why World Rugby arrange the games like this as they want the teams with the biggest support in the final stages to earn as much money as they can, but it is kind of fixing the outcome of what should be a fair and even competition.
Denne historien er fra February 04, 2024-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
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Denne historien er fra February 04, 2024-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
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Unbeaten Lymm put the Tykes on a leash
LYMM maintained their unbeaten start to the campaign, taking the major scalp of Leeds Tykes and ending the visitors' unblemished start.
Dramatic late win boosts leaders
A LAST-minute converted try saw Tonbridge Juddians snatch victory from the jaws of defeat at Barnes.
England need to be more consistent
I WAS at last week's game against the All Blacks and as much as I enjoyed my first visit to the stadium since the Six Nations, I couldn't help noticing a different attitude of those in control of the stadium's notification system which puts out messages to the crowd.
Cuthbert: Wales have to deliver
ALEX Cuthbert says the pressure on Wales is huge ahead of their opening Autumn Nations Series game against Fiji today.
Anyanwu heads the list of star attractions
TOP 14 transfer speculation is always thoroughly entertaining, and this season has so far been no exception.
Goldthorp can challenge Kildunne for No.15 spot
LOUGHBOROUGH Lightning head coach Nathan Smith is backing Fran Goldthorp to compete with Ellie Kildunne, right, for England's No.15 jersey.
Four-try David calls the shots for Bears
MILLIE David helped Bristol blow Leicester away after scoring four of their 10 tries at Welford Road.
Scott-Young keen to follow his father
TYPICAL of most Australians, Scott-Young Angus has fairly sunny disposition and the loose forward is confident that Saints can soon start to turn things around on the road.
When value for money is not part of the deal
ENGLAND'S bench strategy against New Zealand - goodbye \"bomb squad\", hello \"squib squad\"-has been investigated, psychoanalysed, convicted on all charges and mercilessly sentenced by the entire rugby world and its maiden aunt, so there is no earthly point in returning to the scene of the crime.
'I want to prove my worth to Bath'
OUT-OF-FAVOUR winger RuBath aridh McConnochie is hoping to use the Premiership Cup to lay down a challenge to Johann van Graan and make his selection claims impossible to ignore.
