Stupidly early RWC2023 prediction thread

[Lizard]

Right, this is of course based on my qualification predictions here http://rugbyrebels.co/board/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=4633. I'm not at all sure I'm right about the Europe qualifiers but I've made my bed there. You can make your own calls on which to base your actual RWC predictions.

So now we have:

Pool A
NZ (current ranking 3)
France (4)
Italy (14)
USA (16)
Namibia (24)

Forget Namibia. They will still be as shit as always and remain winless at RWCs. USA will definitely beat Namibia. They will also push Italy for 60 minutes but not quite get there. Italy will get nowhere near beating France or NZ. NZ v France is obviously the money-match here. France in a home world cup will be hard to beat and NZ will know that we only need to beat them once, preferably in a final rather than in the pool. So:

1 France, 2 NZ, 3 Italy, 4 USA, 5 Namibia

Pool B
South Africa (1)
Ireland (5)
Scotland (7)
Tonga (13)
Russia (21)

Russia (OK, probably Spain) won't win anything. Tonga will target Scotland but Scotland are quite functional these days and unless they get a very short turnaround or have serious injury problems they ought to prevail. Ireland will pull one out against the Boks, as will Scotland against Ireland, with the Boks beating Scotland. Bonus points, or some other part of the tie-break rules will send Scotland home.

1 SA, 2 Ireland, 3 Scotland, 4 Tonga, 5 Ruspania

Pool C
Wales (9)
Australia (6)
Fiji (11)
Georgia (12)
Canada (23)

Pool of the tournament, this. Georgia v Canada will be absorbing (can you still say "cripple-fight"?). Georgia have proven this year that they are nowhere near Tier 1, and Canada have been doing their best to prove they aren't even Tier 2. This could be Canada's last shot at redemption before they cease being a relevant part of international rugby. I'm going for an upset by the Snow Mexicans. Fiji have had the wood on Georgia for a while and sadly the former golden boys of Eastern Europe will be sent home winless. If Wayne Pivac is still there, he will limp home v Fiji and get the full pasting from a resurgent Wallabies.

1. Aus, 2. Wales, 3. Fiji, 4. Canada, 5 Georgia

Pool D
England (2)
Japan (10)
Argentina (8)
Samoa (15)
Uruguay (18)

England will not be troubled in this pool, despite a lot of nonsense that will be talked about the Brave Blossoms. Argentina v Japan will be a fascinating clash of styles, and Samoa will fancy their chances. Uruguay will get the wooden spoon but places 2, 3 & 4 may well come down the scheduling. I'm going for:

1. Eng, 2. Japan, 3. Argentina, 4. Samoa, 5. Uruguay

Q-Finals
NZ beats SA (The last 10 matches have been NZ 8, SA 1, draw 1)
France beats Ireland (because Ireland in a QF, right?)
England beats Wales (although I really hope not)
Australia beats Japan (because of course they will)

S-Finals
NZ beats Aus (NZ have not lost at a RWC to Australia since 2003)
France beats England (France at home will be great)

Bronze final
No one will give a shit but probably England take this.

Final
France beats NZ (because France are due, and playing at home)

[Hooky]

Wales would rather play England in a quarter I think, with the prospect of France in a semi, than play Japan then NZ. Funny really, just Wales will always believe they can beat France, but NZ just no, until one day it happens, but not in a world cup surely?

[Puja]

Wales would rather play England in a quarter I think, with the prospect of France in a semi, than play Japan then NZ. Funny really, just Wales will always believe they can beat France, but NZ just no, until one day it happens, but not in a world cup surely?

Oddly, I'd say your chances were better against NZ. France at home will be well nigh unstoppable and they will treat you with the seriousness that you deserve. The All Blacks will say they're focussed, but they'll have that record against you in the back of their head and one eye on the final - I reckon you could catch them cold.

Puja

[Puja]

Russia (OK, probably Spain)

Yeah, I don't think Spain are gonna be involved in the RWC this time either.

Puja

[Hooky]

Wales would rather play England in a quarter I think, with the prospect of France in a semi, than play Japan then NZ. Funny really, just Wales will always believe they can beat France, but NZ just no, until one day it happens, but not in a world cup surely?

Oddly, I'd say your chances were better against NZ. France at home will be well nigh unstoppable and they will treat you with the seriousness that you deserve. The All Blacks will say they're focussed, but they'll have that record against you in the back of their head and one eye on the final - I reckon you could catch them cold.

Puja

Makes perfect rational sense. I just do not believe we will beat NZ!

[Digby]

Russia (OK, probably Spain)

Yeah, I don't think Spain are gonna be involved in the RWC this time either.

Puja

If they are then based on their last few matches go high on the number of card predictions.

[whatisthejava]

Id love Scotland to get to the 1/4 but its a tall order beating Ireland or SA.

I think it depends who wins the next few games, i think Scotland will probably have the more settled squad between now and 2023

Questions for me with Ireland
Where does Beirne play long term
Who plays 7
Who replaces Healy at 1
Who will stand up and take the hooker jersey
Who is their long term 8 if Dorris doesnt come back
Who gets the node at 9, 10

And finally they attacked better against England, but can they turn their massive possession and territory advantage into winning positions more

I still think id have them as favourites over Scotland unless Scotland win the next 2 games

[Timbo]

France will have one woeful performance in the group phase, either getting thrashed by NZ or losing/nearly losing to Italy or even the USA. They’ll then produce an all time great performance in the qf/sf beating a major nation (Probably SA or Eng). Then ride into the final on a tidal wave of goodwill, momentum and emotion and lose gallantly by 1-3 points.