Rugby world cup post mortem

The haka is a revenue generator that's why it's allowed

Lots on facebook I have seen from NZ "fans" saying that Ireland disrespected it. I have a mate from NZ and he said nobody he knows seen it like that, it is a challenge and Ireland responded with the figure of 8 and fans signing

He said the Bok fans have sung during it for years and no issue. Seems like you seen similar to me, but it's just people get outraged for the sake of it

There are plenty of things we need to improve on, but my biggest gripe is a structural one for World Rugby.

We're now facing the 20 year anniversary since anyone other than NZ or SA lifted the World Cup trophy. One of those two teams will almost certainly now lift it this year. Over this time other teams have run them close but have always failed when it mattered. The competition is becoming so predictable in terms of outcome that it is approaching farcical levels.

With the only other teams to lift the Webb Ellis, Australia and England, arguably weaker than at any point in the past 20 years, and the remaining contenders no closer than ever in terms of results in the competition, World Rugby urgently needs to step in to engineer a move away from the duopoly that exists, be that through resourcing, development, rules changes, whatever. Otherwise the World Cup will soon start to feel a bit pointless.

The game desperately needs a new winner, it's massively embarrassing that the NH will (likely) only have 1 winner in 40 years.

We in the NH could start with a “B six nations” with promotion / demotion to the A 6 nations.

Romania, Georgia and Portugal had some great moments. Scotland and wales seem to be coming round and Italy have got better - add in a reason to win for everyone and they can only get better.

The problem with doing that is how to counter the monetary issues that would arise if any of the current 6 nations sides spent a year outside of the 6 nations. If Ireland did finish last and werent in the 6 nations for a year the IRFU would be f****d

We first of all need more games in July and November for every side not in the 6 nations and rugby championship against those sides.

Take Georgia/Romania. New Zealand/Australia could play a November test against them on way to playing the 6 nations sides in November

There has been a 6 nations B for years. Just it hasnt been any way connected to the 6 nations.

France assisted in creating FIRA when it got expelled from the 5 nations back in the 1930s. France got readmitted to 5 nations but continued to send sides to compete in the FIRA competitions.

Fira(now called rugby europe) has multiple divisions with promotion and relegation between each level.

Surely the 6Ns could put in place financial guarantees for any team that got sent down to ensure that they weren't be left compromised.

You wanted more games for sides outside the two top tournaments now dont want some of them.

You may not care much about test games but you cant just introduce promotion/relegation as way to improve other teams because that hurts the teams who get relegated as well. You have to look to other ways to help teams.

You cant compare things to soccer. the money, everything is completely different. There has only been fully national league in england in rugby since the mid to late 80s and it was 90s for clubs in ireland.

Also how is it not a problem.

No chance of top 14/PRL agreeing to that though. Would countries agree to no rest week combined with 2 more games?

But why would they or should they be "put back in their box" when by and large the clubs financials are good or at least well managed/monitored?

Figured out how though?

This has arguably been true for the past 20 years. NZ or SA often came through tight contests to win those world cups. Matches could have gone the other way for the winner but crucially, like this year, they didn't. There might be teams close to them in each world cup, but for 20 years SA or NZ have always wound up on top. That's not coincidence and there's not much to suggest that's going to change unless something changes in World Rugby's approach.

There were four different winners of the first five world cups. When you take into account the inevitable outcome this one, there will only be two different winners of the last five. The competitiveness of the World Cup has deteriorated in a startling way.

It was very different in every way with Italy. Going from 5 to 6 teams with every team already having a rest week and no change to length of competition. less agro with the pro clubs. Their schedule runs too long? It works for them and theyve always done that. The french have driven wages but by and large they have managed it far better than the english.. yes we;ve seen some french clubs go down the divisions but have we seen many explode in same manner as the english clubs that went under recently?

We're not bending over to suit them. I dont think being overly critical of the one pro league that has done the most by a distance for assisting players turn pro from the tier 2 countries is riqht either

The Irish as a nation seem satisfied as the gallant loser. Proud even. That's why they never win these knockout games. No Kiwi commentator calls pride when they lose. No South Africa commentator calls pride. France aren't calling pride even though they played great. Why? Because they LOST.

Ireland win the world cup? Don't make me snort my tea out my nose. Win ONE knockout game first. Beat the mighty Boks or France in a final? Get a grip. Its cringe AF hearing all this "ah shure, yer champions in our book". This is a massive disappointment and its ok to say so. The #1 team in the world didn't show up. NZ are good but not THAT good. Ireland didn't lose to NZ, they lost to the Quarter Final. They lost their nerve big time. Giving the Blacks a 13 point lead in a knockout match? What a complete disaster! If that's not bottling it I don't know what is.

As a casual observer I didn't see this supposed world number 1 team, I saw a very good Ireland team who seemed a little nervy and lacked any fear inducing, killer edge we saw from NZ, SA and France in the QFs. Every time France or SA were on the ball in that first half you felt afraid for the defenders. Ireland looked physically strong pushing forward and quick hands but that's about it. No real imagination. More like an attitude of "lets not fk this up" and playing within themselves, and then making dumb choices like not taking 3 points at critical junctures, making weak chip & charges etc. You could FEEL the nerves off the Irish. They let the Kiwis take an early lead because of it.

Hearing all this pathetic loser pride, its embarrassing. Ireland were good enough to win the WC, but sadly they couldn't transcend that psychological barrier and lets be honest, its no real surprise. All the talk of Ireland winning the world cup was honestly hilarious. Never won a knockout game but they're gna win 3 in a row. Surrre.

Get some self respect and stop celebrating defeat.

'celebrating defeat'? I take it you've not read any of the thousands of posts on this message board since the defeat? Of course you haven't.

if an Ireland/Scotland or Wales lost the 6 nations money they would be bankrupt the same year and you would end up with one less country playing rugby. That is not sustainable.

Wales have sorted out their house as much as possible, hence why all the upheaval last year. Before this it was a mess as well but it was papered over. They are still noway near perfect but probably on a better footing than ever but as above without 6 nations money they would be dead in water.

Winning 6 nations and tours etc is not repetitive. If you think rugby is bad watch soccer with the same 2-3 multi billionaire clubs winning the majority of trophies. The winning of the 6 nations in the last 4 years had England, Wales, France and Ireland.

The 6 nations is an incredible competition which every team in the World wants to be in, including the SH teams. They have little to no interest in the Rugby Championship, look at how everyone said NZ are **** before the World Cup yet they have won every Rugby Championship since the last World Cup. Kind of says it all.

In terms of the rest of EUrope, they need investment at under age and a pro team playing in the URC or some similar competition. Investing at pro international level doesn't work. If Georgia/Portugal/Spain etc had a pro team in URC that would bring the game forward in those countries and improve the international teams.

To me Ireland is in a better position than we have ever been in terms of rugby, we have four strong provinces who will probably qualify each years for Champions Cup. We have a senior Ireland team who have been the most consistent team in 6 nations for years in terms of staying in the top 3. We have a good U20 program which has won 6 nations and is very competitive. Both teams playing attractive rugby.

Number of players are growing, slowly but growing. The 7s program for both men and women are in the Olympics and potentially will grow numbers in that area. The women 15s is the one blot on the copy book and is the real area which needs focus.

The changes need to continue at the levels below the professional game so in 20 years time Ireland is still a force, qtr final knock outs or not

With that dismal Irish defensiveness, you could play for Ireland in the next QF

I wonder were the players too complacent? Nz didn't need an ounce of extra motivation to beat the " world number 1"...