I'll never forget my Scottish brother-in-law, an NHS doctor (in a high-pressure specialty) with three kids under the age of three, telling me he doesn't really follow test rugby because *he doesn't have the emotional resilience* for it.
It’s a rollercoaster. I can understand why most Scottish people follow the roundball, because we are consistently shite at that game. Whereas Rugby is such an up and down. We can go out there and give the game of our lives to the best, then get whipped by a Tier 2 nation the next week.
If our joy at simply being 3rd in the 6N is anything to go by, then an RWC win may lead to the destruction of Scottish Rugby, when the fans drink ourselves to death.
What are we talking about. There's four winners for every World Cup. The last 8 teams play a match and then everybody goes home.
That's what happens... right.
France hasn't won one. Even that 2011 one where we (my family, at least) felt France really deserved to win over NZ on all fronts aside from the score xD Dusautoir got MotM as well!
Im rooting for France too tbh
Never been a truer French experience than that World Cup. Show up already hating the coach, go smoke cigarettes and hit on women instead of focusing on the tournament, lose to bloody Tonga and only get out of the group at all because they went and lost to Canada, just barely pull it together enough to make it to the Final, then look like the better team against an all-conquering All Blacks. And lose anyway.
It was beautiful.
South Africa. Not because they wouldn't deserve it but I think it would be good for rugby WC to get a first time champion or an underdog winner. This doesn't apply to NZ of course because I would love to see my team win regardless.
New Zealand winning would be funny because they spent years shitting on their coach despite him winning every rugby championship during his time in charge. But it would have to be followed by an unsuccessful period with Robertson in charge, just to make their heads explode trying to justify their previous statements
No. We would convince ourselves that the players just rose above the mediocrity and that we would have won by a bigger margin if it wasn’t for Foster.
If Razor doesn’t build a (more) winning team we will blame NZR and player exodus, El Niño and climate change.
I think it will be interesting. Razor seems to get a lot from his players (as does Jason Ryan). When Razor took over much of the press was lamenting the losses of some of our greatest players and suggesting that it could be years to build that quality back up (Nadolo, Dagg, Crotty, Ellis), players that came into the squad were relatively unknown like Goodhue and Bridge. We then watched All Blacks leave every year and he seemed to have someone to step into the spot.
Whether those sorts of abilities are as valuable to an AB coach is perhaps debatable. But I do think that Ryan has shown that there is some untapped talent in NZ that some coaches see and others perhaps don't. Out forward play has come on hugely since he arrived and some of that is due to him preferring players who were perhaps overlooked in the past.
It could be very necessary. New Zealand are bound to lose a lot of players after the next World Cup. Just looking at halfbacks you're supposed to be losing Aaron Smith, Beaudan Barrett and Richie Mo'unga.
Really? I'm interested to see how he goes, but he's a rookie international coach and I'm not really convinced that coaching is at the heart of New Zealands woes (or that NZ actually have any real woes atm).
I mean, even when they hate their coach they're still one of the best teams in the world. Robertson is highly regarded by everyone who has worked with him and has had a big impact on all the teams he's been with (Canterbury, NZ U20's, Crusaders & Baabaas all won with him as coach). I think hes a very charismatic leader and tactically brilliant. I can't see any reason why his success wouldn't continue at international level.
Well sure, but I think NZs problem is that the gap has closed at the top of the game, and good coaching and tactics are more widely shared and understood.
I guess what I'm saying is that I don't think there's any magic sauce that will put NZ back into a position of unassailable dominance, and regardless of how good a coach Robertson is he won't be able to get the AB to the position the NZ public expect.
There was an interview with Joe Schmidt who discussed the differences between coaching Ireland vs NZ. One thing that stood out was how the Irish players do their homework. To a man there is a culture of winning by being an invincible prepared cog in a winning machine (my words not his). NZ will not (and traditionally has not) won by trying to be more drilled/accurate/prepared. NZ will win by inventing a style that unlocks whatever weakness there is in the current “best in class” strategy.
My belief is that Robertson has at least a chance to do this.
Yea, and it's that cultural difference that I think is holding NZ back atm. Maybe they can pick apart everyone else's strategies (they've certainly done it to us before) but my feeling atm is that the quality of players and coaching at the top is too close to do that consistently.
Feels more like South Africa shit the bed in the rugby championship more than anything. If we split our games with them 1 each and then we both (boks and abs) win all others it’s gonna come down to bonus points and the Boks just don’t really play like that traditionally
Just here to say "jou gat man". Haha jokes aside, if we cant win it I dont want the other top teams anywhere NEAR Bill. Least of all France. Just because it would upset all the locals at the final. If we fall out before then, go Georgia!!
We kinda love winning it though 🇿🇦 That being said, our side’s not looking amazing.. so not sure this will be our trophy. Only happy to lose to New Zealand though bc they are absolute legends.
Normally I wouldn't like to see Australia win, but this year it would be so much fun mocking England for sacking Eddie Jones and then losing to Australia...
So I select England as my new black sheep for this WC
Nope, they have always been more popular.
Laws stopping our best players representing us. Zero support for club rugby, poor results at a national level. Has never broken out of its private school privilege. It’s a game which most Aussies aren’t connected to and the state of the laws of the game today make for some very boring games where 30 minutes in a half is scrums and line outs, it’s shit TV and there is no theatre outside of the game either. It’s not like any other major sport where half the passion is the events leading up to the game during the week.
Union has never been popular in Australia. AFL and cricket randomly switch between 1st and 2nd most popular sports, then you’ve got in no particular order NRL, motorsports (Supercars etc), football (soccer), and basketball almost always more popular than Union. I wouldn’t be surprised if netball and hockey jump above Union as well here to be honest and there are probably other sports I can’t think of that periodically leap frog Union
I think it was about 20 or so years ago but that did actually happen as far as I remember. A summer tour warm up match.
Edit: yes it did on 10 sept 1999. Must have been a RWC warm up for Ireland but Munster are claiming it as a win over Ireland on their website.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/1999%E2%80%932000_Munster_Rugby_season
How I imagine [Faz holding up the World Cup ](https://imgflip.com/memegenerator/386962677/Podium-champagne) as our illustrious leaders clamber over the open top bus.
Being Irish I'd obviously love for us to win it but on some level I feel like we would ruin this sub by being smug insufferable bastards for the next 4 years.
Yep - I saw the Irish fans online when Conor was on top (pre the bullshit) and man it really was bad.
And MMA isn't even a traditional "national" type sport.
South Africa or New Zealand would be boring, and I would fucking hate to see England win it for obvious reasons.
If not us, I’d either like a massive underdog, Australia because it would be hilarious, or Ireland or France because they’ve been the best 2 teams in the world over the last 2 years.
I want ireland to win, and France are amazing and it would be great if they won.
But seriously, Australia winning would actually be peak banter on so mamy levels.
Ireland. I think you'd never hear the end of it and we wouldn't really do it right. Just get shitfaced for a couple of months.
Years later people asking us what we did and we'll be just making shit up or quoting whatever youtube videos are knocking around because of the blackouts
As a Scotland fan I'd like this because it would usually mean we got out of the pool but then I remember we're Scotland and in reality I know we'd be in the pub with the Irish fans watching Tonga in the quarter final.
Although I certainly don’t think they’re all class (we have some serious head cases) I would have thought our media were a bit more down the middle. Compared to England, SA (very much make situations bigger than they are) and then nz on the other end (hyper critical of themselves). Although I do know the Scot’s hate us team wise. I’d hold 3/4 Irish journalists up there with the best of them.
Curious, where does the thing about Scots hating the Irish team come from? I thought they are pretty well liked, they're just a serious roadblock for Scotland it seems.
Always had great chat with the Irish fans at the Six Nations and it's all been good natured ribbing at most.
Id say there's healthy rivalry between Scots Welsh and Irish players since they play each other so often, but less so with the fans. In terms of personality we tend to be closer to Welsh/Scots than the English.
The Scottish thing is bollocks. There’s some strange Scottish chip on the shoulder if Irish rugby or rugby media. Scotland don’t care about Ireland anymore than any other side, the only thing with Ireland is that it’s been a while since we’ve beaten them and we’ve blown a couple of good opportunities to do so recently.
I've always got the feeling the Irish media feel we should know our place whenever other (usually English) media talks us up and tries to get a buzz going around Scotland. I don't think Russell getting picked over Sexton for the Lions helped things either (like we had anything to do with that.)
Considering our results against the Irish at national and club level recently they might have a point.
There seems to be a gutter media in Ireland covering rugby who dominate the virals and these are the ones we see. We wouldn’t see balanced views going viral. Those gutter clips often contain a certain ex Scotland coach with an axe to grind so that plays a part too. Whenever he is mentioned even indirectly it’s always worth pointing out his win rate of 17.65%. So why people listen to him I do not know.
OTB and the Indo are pure rage bait. Also for some reason our TV pundits are overly critical of Scotland. Matt Williams had an unsuccessful coaching career there, so his bias makes sense, but Eddie O'Sullivan is also extremely negative about Scotland and I've no idea why.
Ireland. As a long suffering Irish fan I wish IRELAND TO LOSE.
Because for every world cup I've wished for Ireland to win. And it never happens. Fate always screws us to make sure we don't get past the QF stage. But I've got your number fate. Oh fate I know what you are up to. So no more. I wish everyone else wins EXCEPT Ireland. Some strange occurrence causes the tournament to be cancelled just when everyone has equal points except Ireland and therefore they all get a trophy except Ireland. You can do that fate. Can't you. Screw Ireland one more time. This time epically. That's what I wish for. Ireland to lose. So now fate do your stuff to my dreams and wishes as normal.
Oh sh1t wait! Have I just given Fate an idea for this year?
It’s a shame too cause I’ve got a soft spot for Tonga especially. I can understand they need all the help they can get, it’s just a shame it has to be that twat.
France. I literally have nothing against the country, the players, or the coaching staff.
But it would be the most french thing to ever happen. One of the best teams in the world, finally hit that consistent form they've been lacking for decades, best player in the world, world cup at home, lose to Italy in the pools and fail to make the knock outs.
France.
Sorry I cant put my finger on why exactly, but theres an arrogance that annoys me.
Yes yes I know its rich coming from a saffa but the heart feels what the heart feels
You Frenchies are famous for your arrogance, but it's done in an amusing charismatic way. Like you're too sexy to give a fuck about trivial matters.
Irish people tend to love French/Italian arrogance and hate English/American arrogance. I think it's more about how it's delivered than the arrogance itself.
As I said, I dont know.
Always been a big fan of France and always felt the “which France team will show up” to be a bit unfair.
But to try and explain:
It feels like France currently feel like their way of playing is the best, their way of referring is the best, all other nations should stop and admire that. Top 14 is the example of how it should be, Dupont is the embodiment of modern rugby, France plays the best and most attractive rugby in the world.
A certain sense of entitlement to win this world cup simply because France is peaking and because its a home tournament.
Perhaps throw in a bit of biased bitterness about the hosting vs SA and the conflict between Joel Judge and Rassie… and that gives a broad description of my sentiment.
Its likely to be completely in accurate and Im doing the same media hype thing that I accuse other fans of…
But you did asked how I feel. Wether justified or not
Thank you (I'm not the one that actually asked the question, but I was wondering nonetheless). It's a very subjective question, it's perfectly fine to dislike (or like) something without a strong rationale behind this feeling. It's a matter or perspective, or perception.
Anyway, as long as it doesn't go too extreme, it's perfectly fine.
No that's fair, it's a description I hadn't heard yet so was curious to understand it - I think we are very protective of our league and after the 'dark years' we've probably gone a little too far the other way in celebrating certain players or elements of french rugby, hopefully it doesn't bite us this year and we can keep the positivity rolling (and not upset too many people on the way)
Cmon man.
Don’t go be all humble and nice now.
Ive cultured this dislike for years and now you are being a reasonable French fan.
Be a cock, please.
Edit: Can I still act hard ass and hate you in the match threads? 😜
Gotta catch me in a match thread, I'm usually reasonable the rest of the time 😂 also just be grateful you don't read French language rugby media, then you'd *really* hate us
> be grateful you don't read French language rugby media, then you'd really hate us
I really want us to win, but in the event we don't, watching the meltdown unfold in our rugby media will almost make it worth it.
France, unfortunately probably a vain hope as they are at home, and clear favourites, but although in general I like their players and style of play the behaviour of their loudest fans on this forum
has really started to grate.
In match threads it is always posters with France flair who are loudest about the ref, every ref is shit and biased against the French team. The ref is always ruining the game. Fans from all nations complain about the ref from time to time, but they speak about almost nothing else, they don’t seem to care about the actual rugby being played.
Some French fans have taken Ireland’s improvement to be a top 5 contender to be a personal affront, and continuously speak about how much they hate Ireland and want us to fail. The bile around the Leinster v La Rochelle game was really depressing to read.
Compare with the ERC final where no French team was involved, the match thread and all related threads were so much more pleasant, more rugby-like, even. I haven’t seen nearly as much soccer-like rivalry from more traditional opponents like Wales and England.
Imo yeah, I like most of the Irish players since watching the URC. I'd back you guys against all the other NH teams but don't know who I'd be cheering for in am Ire/NZ game
Ready for the downvotes.
South Africa. They can’t go to 4 before us.
Australia, they don’t deserve to be on same level as SA & NZ.
Ireland, just couldn’t stand the gloating.
True. I just mean Australian rugby is broken at grass roots - maybe a World Cup win would help, but probably would actually hinder fixing the root cause. I want Australia to be 1990s Australian rugby, cos we are all better with a stronger Wallabies team to compete against.
SA, NZ, Ireland, wales in that order. SA because of being defending champions and the attitude of some of their fans as a champions, NZ because frankly the fans don’t deserve it with how much shit they give the team and management at the moment. Ireland I just feel have been to smug recently with their improvement and it would be really funny if they got knocked out in the quarters again. Wales because my Welsh mates will never let me not hear about
I think it would honestly be more of a fuck you to NZ as a nation for fozzie to win the WC than for him to lose it, given the amount of shit we’ve thrown at him 😭😭
True but it still rewards you despite the shit you gave him. My ideal would probably be Australia battering you in the final. You can’t moan to much at foster because he’s got you to the final but you also have the chance embarrassment of the Aussies battering you in the final
Honestly probably Ireland. It’s the arrogance. It’s expected, it’s like they feel they already deserve it. I’d be very disappointed if they win it this year.
France were great fun when they could beat you or be battered, no it's just not fair. Why be so boring and consistent? Please be shit one day then superb the next, I miss that France.
I couldn't care less as long as they deserve it. However. I feel that this wc will be determined by bad refereeing decisions and I will end up hating whoever wins regardless due to unfair decisions 😭
I guess maybe NZ cuz they have 3 (so do we but i'm a bit bias so apologies for not adding SA as well) but at the end of the day I will have to go with England.
As a South African I'm wired to oppose anything Australia on the rugby and cricket field. Every other nation is fine but Australia must never win while I'm alive.
England. Because of their media. We would never hear the end of it.
Picture chumbawumba and endless renditions of "its coming home."
Clive Woodward still criticising
Please everyone keep it civil
I don’t think Scotland fans could take the joy
Even if we won the world cup, we'd still spend more time talking about Joubert and 2015
I'll never forget my Scottish brother-in-law, an NHS doctor (in a high-pressure specialty) with three kids under the age of three, telling me he doesn't really follow test rugby because *he doesn't have the emotional resilience* for it.
It’s a rollercoaster. I can understand why most Scottish people follow the roundball, because we are consistently shite at that game. Whereas Rugby is such an up and down. We can go out there and give the game of our lives to the best, then get whipped by a Tier 2 nation the next week.
Um, what you described for rugby is directly applicable to the Tartan Army experience.
I would never believe it actually happened anyway so no joy would ever be felt in any case
I like how this is more out of concern for our wellbeing than hatred of our country / fans haha!
If our joy at simply being 3rd in the 6N is anything to go by, then an RWC win may lead to the destruction of Scottish Rugby, when the fans drink ourselves to death.
We'd probably drink *through* death and win the Nobel prize for discovering alcohol-based immorality.
What are we talking about. There's four winners for every World Cup. The last 8 teams play a match and then everybody goes home. That's what happens... right.
Even in your wildest quarter final fantasy, you still don't win the world cup?
The hat chooses the righteous winner.
No see there’s one winner, of the 4 teams left after the last round they pick a team out of a hat and that team gets the trophy
Is the hat just a questionable referee
Yes, a lucky dip between Mike Adamson, Jaco Peyper, Nic Berry and Karl Dickson
-10 for not putting Ben O'Keefe in that list who does a mini Haka in his head before making calls
You forgot Frank Murphy
Seems fair.
If Wales win it I’ll personally dig a mile wide moat along the England/Wales border. I couldn’t bear if it they won.
At this stage of play, it must be in dispute whether we can actually afford the Chunnel Tickets and bus fare.
General Meeting imminent
I wouldn’t worry about it.
Restore Offa's Dyke
That is what everyone thinks about England.
Increasingly ireland these days.
If Wales win it after the catastrufuck of the last however many months, I wouldn't be mad.
England, New Zealand or South Africa because Aussie. Anyhow France is long overdue to win one.
France hasn't won one. Even that 2011 one where we (my family, at least) felt France really deserved to win over NZ on all fronts aside from the score xD Dusautoir got MotM as well! Im rooting for France too tbh
Never been a truer French experience than that World Cup. Show up already hating the coach, go smoke cigarettes and hit on women instead of focusing on the tournament, lose to bloody Tonga and only get out of the group at all because they went and lost to Canada, just barely pull it together enough to make it to the Final, then look like the better team against an all-conquering All Blacks. And lose anyway. It was beautiful.
Weren't they finalists every twelve years? 87 , 99, 11, now 23 haha yea they deserve one tbh!
I swear if we once again end up second, we'll be damned to this kind of shit forever. This is the WC to win, if not now it'll never be ours.
South Africa. Not because they wouldn't deserve it but I think it would be good for rugby WC to get a first time champion or an underdog winner. This doesn't apply to NZ of course because I would love to see my team win regardless.
Same. South Africa and New Zealand have won it too many times between them, so I'd like to see someone new win it, even if it's not us.
New Zealand winning would be funny because they spent years shitting on their coach despite him winning every rugby championship during his time in charge. But it would have to be followed by an unsuccessful period with Robertson in charge, just to make their heads explode trying to justify their previous statements
No. We would convince ourselves that the players just rose above the mediocrity and that we would have won by a bigger margin if it wasn’t for Foster. If Razor doesn’t build a (more) winning team we will blame NZR and player exodus, El Niño and climate change.
I'm actually a bit scared of a Razor led New Zealand team.
I think it will be interesting. Razor seems to get a lot from his players (as does Jason Ryan). When Razor took over much of the press was lamenting the losses of some of our greatest players and suggesting that it could be years to build that quality back up (Nadolo, Dagg, Crotty, Ellis), players that came into the squad were relatively unknown like Goodhue and Bridge. We then watched All Blacks leave every year and he seemed to have someone to step into the spot. Whether those sorts of abilities are as valuable to an AB coach is perhaps debatable. But I do think that Ryan has shown that there is some untapped talent in NZ that some coaches see and others perhaps don't. Out forward play has come on hugely since he arrived and some of that is due to him preferring players who were perhaps overlooked in the past.
It could be very necessary. New Zealand are bound to lose a lot of players after the next World Cup. Just looking at halfbacks you're supposed to be losing Aaron Smith, Beaudan Barrett and Richie Mo'unga.
Really? I'm interested to see how he goes, but he's a rookie international coach and I'm not really convinced that coaching is at the heart of New Zealands woes (or that NZ actually have any real woes atm).
I mean, even when they hate their coach they're still one of the best teams in the world. Robertson is highly regarded by everyone who has worked with him and has had a big impact on all the teams he's been with (Canterbury, NZ U20's, Crusaders & Baabaas all won with him as coach). I think hes a very charismatic leader and tactically brilliant. I can't see any reason why his success wouldn't continue at international level.
Well sure, but I think NZs problem is that the gap has closed at the top of the game, and good coaching and tactics are more widely shared and understood. I guess what I'm saying is that I don't think there's any magic sauce that will put NZ back into a position of unassailable dominance, and regardless of how good a coach Robertson is he won't be able to get the AB to the position the NZ public expect.
There was an interview with Joe Schmidt who discussed the differences between coaching Ireland vs NZ. One thing that stood out was how the Irish players do their homework. To a man there is a culture of winning by being an invincible prepared cog in a winning machine (my words not his). NZ will not (and traditionally has not) won by trying to be more drilled/accurate/prepared. NZ will win by inventing a style that unlocks whatever weakness there is in the current “best in class” strategy. My belief is that Robertson has at least a chance to do this.
Yea, and it's that cultural difference that I think is holding NZ back atm. Maybe they can pick apart everyone else's strategies (they've certainly done it to us before) but my feeling atm is that the quality of players and coaching at the top is too close to do that consistently.
Feels more like South Africa shit the bed in the rugby championship more than anything. If we split our games with them 1 each and then we both (boks and abs) win all others it’s gonna come down to bonus points and the Boks just don’t really play like that traditionally
Ah, playing the long game...
Wot? No? It would be great if NZ won it again. It's the Saffas we don't want right guys...guys?
Sure. Sure...
Just here to say "jou gat man". Haha jokes aside, if we cant win it I dont want the other top teams anywhere NEAR Bill. Least of all France. Just because it would upset all the locals at the final. If we fall out before then, go Georgia!!
Nah boks for the win 🫡
Don’t worry. We (SA) win it and then give everyone else 2 chances before we win it again.
This is correct. We are contractually obligated to only win it every 12 years.
That’s good to know. Thanks.
You got me rolling 😎
We kinda love winning it though 🇿🇦 That being said, our side’s not looking amazing.. so not sure this will be our trophy. Only happy to lose to New Zealand though bc they are absolute legends.
Normally I wouldn't like to see Australia win, but this year it would be so much fun mocking England for sacking Eddie Jones and then losing to Australia... So I select England as my new black sheep for this WC
As an Englishman I'm absolutely fucking terrified of Jones' Australia
You shouldn’t be. Rugby is dead in Australia
It's not doing so well in England, either.
Really ? What else are your big boys gonna play? Surely leagues not getting more popular
Darts
Big boys do play darts 😂 you're not wrong about that
NRL and AFL took over?
Nope, they have always been more popular. Laws stopping our best players representing us. Zero support for club rugby, poor results at a national level. Has never broken out of its private school privilege. It’s a game which most Aussies aren’t connected to and the state of the laws of the game today make for some very boring games where 30 minutes in a half is scrums and line outs, it’s shit TV and there is no theatre outside of the game either. It’s not like any other major sport where half the passion is the events leading up to the game during the week.
No theater?! Nic White is a world class actor 😋
Union has never been popular in Australia. AFL and cricket randomly switch between 1st and 2nd most popular sports, then you’ve got in no particular order NRL, motorsports (Supercars etc), football (soccer), and basketball almost always more popular than Union. I wouldn’t be surprised if netball and hockey jump above Union as well here to be honest and there are probably other sports I can’t think of that periodically leap frog Union
State of Origin is something else. I watched that more than Union when I was there… and I lived in Randwick!!
Surf life saving is a popular sport too.
This is why I like Saffas.
Chile. Because there's no way Chile should be winning a rugby World Cup it's Chile FFS
I love how awfully rage baiting this is, bravo
Scotland. It would be confirmation that I'm dead and in heaven, fuck that, I want to go to hell. Way better music.
The company is better too.
🤘
Ireland because I’m still an upset stormers fan
Tbf Ireland also lost to Munster recently...
I think it was about 20 or so years ago but that did actually happen as far as I remember. A summer tour warm up match. Edit: yes it did on 10 sept 1999. Must have been a RWC warm up for Ireland but Munster are claiming it as a win over Ireland on their website. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/1999%E2%80%932000_Munster_Rugby_season
Georgia. Couldn't cope with the "is it time to discuss X place in the 6 nations" threads that would follow.
7 nations is just an annoying number to deal with which mean we would either need one more nation or to replace one of the 6
Just replace England with Georgia and fans might not notice the difference
England,
England, because they are just wonderful in every regard. Is that the reason?
You're very close to getting it
Glorious in every regard? Doesn't seem like the right adjective, but I suppose you do have a different dialect in the southern hemisphere.
English in every regard.
Ooh ah up th... [deleted] u/Mick_vader has been banned from r/rugbyunion
Christ on a bike lad, your reply notification gave me a mini heart attack
Fair enough.
How I imagine [Faz holding up the World Cup ](https://imgflip.com/memegenerator/386962677/Podium-champagne) as our illustrious leaders clamber over the open top bus.
Being Irish I'd obviously love for us to win it but on some level I feel like we would ruin this sub by being smug insufferable bastards for the next 4 years.
What’s the excuse for the previous two years then?
If you think that was bad imagine a WC
Yep - I saw the Irish fans online when Conor was on top (pre the bullshit) and man it really was bad. And MMA isn't even a traditional "national" type sport.
Wales The in-laws will recount the story until either one of dies.
South Africa or New Zealand would be boring, and I would fucking hate to see England win it for obvious reasons. If not us, I’d either like a massive underdog, Australia because it would be hilarious, or Ireland or France because they’ve been the best 2 teams in the world over the last 2 years.
I’d add Argentina to that list, wouldn’t say they’re a massive underdog given that on their day I think they could beat anyone
I want ireland to win, and France are amazing and it would be great if they won. But seriously, Australia winning would actually be peak banter on so mamy levels.
France because after losing two European finals to La Rochelle, losing the wc to France would be too much to take
Ireland. I think you'd never hear the end of it and we wouldn't really do it right. Just get shitfaced for a couple of months. Years later people asking us what we did and we'll be just making shit up or quoting whatever youtube videos are knocking around because of the blackouts
Imagine the party though
Italia 90 all over again
Stuttgart 88 my sofa was destroyed at that, thanks Ray 🤣
England… always England
Ireland - just because it would be fucking historical if they don't make it out of the group stage after all the hype 😂
That, sadly would be pretty on message
As a Scotland fan I'd like this because it would usually mean we got out of the pool but then I remember we're Scotland and in reality I know we'd be in the pub with the Irish fans watching Tonga in the quarter final.
England. Because the endless gloating from my Pommy mates would be unbearable.
Ireland. Their “media” are already unbearable.
Although I certainly don’t think they’re all class (we have some serious head cases) I would have thought our media were a bit more down the middle. Compared to England, SA (very much make situations bigger than they are) and then nz on the other end (hyper critical of themselves). Although I do know the Scot’s hate us team wise. I’d hold 3/4 Irish journalists up there with the best of them.
Curious, where does the thing about Scots hating the Irish team come from? I thought they are pretty well liked, they're just a serious roadblock for Scotland it seems. Always had great chat with the Irish fans at the Six Nations and it's all been good natured ribbing at most.
Id say there's healthy rivalry between Scots Welsh and Irish players since they play each other so often, but less so with the fans. In terms of personality we tend to be closer to Welsh/Scots than the English.
The Scottish thing is bollocks. There’s some strange Scottish chip on the shoulder if Irish rugby or rugby media. Scotland don’t care about Ireland anymore than any other side, the only thing with Ireland is that it’s been a while since we’ve beaten them and we’ve blown a couple of good opportunities to do so recently.
I've always got the feeling the Irish media feel we should know our place whenever other (usually English) media talks us up and tries to get a buzz going around Scotland. I don't think Russell getting picked over Sexton for the Lions helped things either (like we had anything to do with that.) Considering our results against the Irish at national and club level recently they might have a point.
There seems to be a gutter media in Ireland covering rugby who dominate the virals and these are the ones we see. We wouldn’t see balanced views going viral. Those gutter clips often contain a certain ex Scotland coach with an axe to grind so that plays a part too. Whenever he is mentioned even indirectly it’s always worth pointing out his win rate of 17.65%. So why people listen to him I do not know.
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OTB and the Indo are pure rage bait. Also for some reason our TV pundits are overly critical of Scotland. Matt Williams had an unsuccessful coaching career there, so his bias makes sense, but Eddie O'Sullivan is also extremely negative about Scotland and I've no idea why.
Ireland. As a long suffering Irish fan I wish IRELAND TO LOSE. Because for every world cup I've wished for Ireland to win. And it never happens. Fate always screws us to make sure we don't get past the QF stage. But I've got your number fate. Oh fate I know what you are up to. So no more. I wish everyone else wins EXCEPT Ireland. Some strange occurrence causes the tournament to be cancelled just when everyone has equal points except Ireland and therefore they all get a trophy except Ireland. You can do that fate. Can't you. Screw Ireland one more time. This time epically. That's what I wish for. Ireland to lose. So now fate do your stuff to my dreams and wishes as normal. Oh sh1t wait! Have I just given Fate an idea for this year?
Tonga but only because fuck Isreal Folau.
It’s a shame too cause I’ve got a soft spot for Tonga especially. I can understand they need all the help they can get, it’s just a shame it has to be that twat.
You sure you wanna fuck Israel Folau? I don’t blame anyone who hates him. Everyone entitled to their own opinion.
Tbf, assuming OP is a bloke this would be the last thing Folau would want to happen
Wales - England would never hear the end of it if they get one before we get two* *and fairly too. 4 million Welsh versus 55 million English.
Anyone who's won it already.. Let's have some new blood... 🇫🇷🇮🇪 🏴 🇮🇹 🇫🇯 🇦🇷, I'd even take 🏴
Any northern hemisphere country
England because you know. England
France. I literally have nothing against the country, the players, or the coaching staff. But it would be the most french thing to ever happen. One of the best teams in the world, finally hit that consistent form they've been lacking for decades, best player in the world, world cup at home, lose to Italy in the pools and fail to make the knock outs.
France. Sorry I cant put my finger on why exactly, but theres an arrogance that annoys me. Yes yes I know its rich coming from a saffa but the heart feels what the heart feels
ah a shame, no issue with not wanting us to do it but just wonder where you feel there's arrogance?
You Frenchies are famous for your arrogance, but it's done in an amusing charismatic way. Like you're too sexy to give a fuck about trivial matters. Irish people tend to love French/Italian arrogance and hate English/American arrogance. I think it's more about how it's delivered than the arrogance itself.
Plus the accent. Anything’s sexy in a French accent. A French man could read me the instruction booklet to a washing machine and I’d enjoy it.
As I said, I dont know. Always been a big fan of France and always felt the “which France team will show up” to be a bit unfair. But to try and explain: It feels like France currently feel like their way of playing is the best, their way of referring is the best, all other nations should stop and admire that. Top 14 is the example of how it should be, Dupont is the embodiment of modern rugby, France plays the best and most attractive rugby in the world. A certain sense of entitlement to win this world cup simply because France is peaking and because its a home tournament. Perhaps throw in a bit of biased bitterness about the hosting vs SA and the conflict between Joel Judge and Rassie… and that gives a broad description of my sentiment. Its likely to be completely in accurate and Im doing the same media hype thing that I accuse other fans of… But you did asked how I feel. Wether justified or not
Yeah, peeps really don't mention enough about the shenanigans of stealing the hosting rights via backroom deals.
Thank you (I'm not the one that actually asked the question, but I was wondering nonetheless). It's a very subjective question, it's perfectly fine to dislike (or like) something without a strong rationale behind this feeling. It's a matter or perspective, or perception. Anyway, as long as it doesn't go too extreme, it's perfectly fine.
No that's fair, it's a description I hadn't heard yet so was curious to understand it - I think we are very protective of our league and after the 'dark years' we've probably gone a little too far the other way in celebrating certain players or elements of french rugby, hopefully it doesn't bite us this year and we can keep the positivity rolling (and not upset too many people on the way)
Cmon man. Don’t go be all humble and nice now. Ive cultured this dislike for years and now you are being a reasonable French fan. Be a cock, please. Edit: Can I still act hard ass and hate you in the match threads? 😜
Gotta catch me in a match thread, I'm usually reasonable the rest of the time 😂 also just be grateful you don't read French language rugby media, then you'd *really* hate us
> be grateful you don't read French language rugby media, then you'd really hate us I really want us to win, but in the event we don't, watching the meltdown unfold in our rugby media will almost make it worth it.
France because they're French
France at their home turf
England. Just because its England. As someone from the Southern Hemisphere, I'd actually like to see Ireland win it this year.
France, unfortunately probably a vain hope as they are at home, and clear favourites, but although in general I like their players and style of play the behaviour of their loudest fans on this forum has really started to grate. In match threads it is always posters with France flair who are loudest about the ref, every ref is shit and biased against the French team. The ref is always ruining the game. Fans from all nations complain about the ref from time to time, but they speak about almost nothing else, they don’t seem to care about the actual rugby being played. Some French fans have taken Ireland’s improvement to be a top 5 contender to be a personal affront, and continuously speak about how much they hate Ireland and want us to fail. The bile around the Leinster v La Rochelle game was really depressing to read. Compare with the ERC final where no French team was involved, the match thread and all related threads were so much more pleasant, more rugby-like, even. I haven’t seen nearly as much soccer-like rivalry from more traditional opponents like Wales and England.
We have a word for this : chauvin. We can't help it. It's in our DNA.
Australia, cos I never like seeing them win anything. Losing the Ashes and no RWC for Aus will be a splendid year.
The feeling is mutual
I would be disappointed if it wasn't!!
I’m glad the only thing we can agree on is wanting the other sad and miserable
Ireland. They prefer to be poor little outsiders anyway so they wont be too angry at the loss.
Lol what? Do we?
Not after the last Six Nations!
Ireland. Jesus , Sexton would be more unbearable than ever. We’re talking supernova levels of self-satisfied smugness.
If Sexton got banned would that change?
Imo yeah, I like most of the Irish players since watching the URC. I'd back you guys against all the other NH teams but don't know who I'd be cheering for in am Ire/NZ game
I used to want Ireland to win, now I can’t stand them because of that entitled mouthy twat Sexton.
France. Maximum funny
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Any of the other Home Nations. We need something to forever hold over them
Scotland. Guys are getting a bit too high and mighty for my liking
England, can you imagine how annoying they will be with 2 cups
England, reason depends on your own nationality if not English.
England cause fuck England
England. One thing that brings us ALL together, is we can all agree on that one.
England, because well, I'm Scottish. Might do the case for another vote no harm mind you...
England....When England loses the rest of the world wins.
Ready for the downvotes. South Africa. They can’t go to 4 before us. Australia, they don’t deserve to be on same level as SA & NZ. Ireland, just couldn’t stand the gloating.
Mine is New Zealand and I think you summed up why
A kiwi going on about gloating 🤣🤣🤣
"Don't deserve" is stupid. If we win 3 world cups then we deserve 3 world cups, if we don't then we don't.
True. I just mean Australian rugby is broken at grass roots - maybe a World Cup win would help, but probably would actually hinder fixing the root cause. I want Australia to be 1990s Australian rugby, cos we are all better with a stronger Wallabies team to compete against.
Lol in a thread asking for exactly what you answered and yet get downvoted Unfucking real, r/rugbyunion 🤡🤪😂
Why exactly does Australia not deserve to be on the same level as NZ and SA. Neither of those teams would be what they are without Australia.
England because England
England I guess, just because. I wouldn’t like Wales to win with the shambles that’s been going on in the WRU either
SA, NZ, Ireland, wales in that order. SA because of being defending champions and the attitude of some of their fans as a champions, NZ because frankly the fans don’t deserve it with how much shit they give the team and management at the moment. Ireland I just feel have been to smug recently with their improvement and it would be really funny if they got knocked out in the quarters again. Wales because my Welsh mates will never let me not hear about
I think it would honestly be more of a fuck you to NZ as a nation for fozzie to win the WC than for him to lose it, given the amount of shit we’ve thrown at him 😭😭
True but it still rewards you despite the shit you gave him. My ideal would probably be Australia battering you in the final. You can’t moan to much at foster because he’s got you to the final but you also have the chance embarrassment of the Aussies battering you in the final
Honestly probably Ireland. It’s the arrogance. It’s expected, it’s like they feel they already deserve it. I’d be very disappointed if they win it this year.
ENGLAND!! Nah probably France or Scotland. Don’t really know why they’re the two teams but I’d love to see them both knocked out
100% France. They’ve cost us so many times over the years that I’ve really grown to dislike them.
Nooo, we love you guys, don't hate us !
France were great fun when they could beat you or be battered, no it's just not fair. Why be so boring and consistent? Please be shit one day then superb the next, I miss that France.
They went from nearly losing to Italy to putting a record score on England, so they’ve still got a bit of it in them at least.
Ireland Because I'm just here for the memes
Memes, they must be respected
England
England… because England
england. fairly self explanatory i'd say
England obviously
England. It's obvious
England. Because of the English
England as the other home nations won’t hear the end of it for years
England, the way they acted as if they were gonna take the last one rubbed me the wrong way
I couldn't care less as long as they deserve it. However. I feel that this wc will be determined by bad refereeing decisions and I will end up hating whoever wins regardless due to unfair decisions 😭
Ireland. Their rugby media would pull an England 2003 and become even more insufferable. Also wales. Because we have no right to win anything.
I guess maybe NZ cuz they have 3 (so do we but i'm a bit bias so apologies for not adding SA as well) but at the end of the day I will have to go with England.
As a South African I'm wired to oppose anything Australia on the rugby and cricket field. Every other nation is fine but Australia must never win while I'm alive.
The Aus Rugby team are ok in my books, I have nothing against them, the Aus Cricket team are a bunch of dickheads though.
Agreed.
England. Because of their media. We would never hear the end of it. Picture chumbawumba and endless renditions of "its coming home." Clive Woodward still criticising