Obviously way too early but thought it might be interesting to see where we think that the major players will be in four years time, so that we can look back and see how stupid we all are. Therefore, what are your thoughts on:
Winners of RWC 2023?
Which, if any, tier 2 team will have progressed and be a contender?
Which, if any, tier 1 teams will be outside the IRB's top ten?
Minnows that will make their first world cup?
Top try scorer?
Top points scorer?
RWC 2019 stalwart that will still be going strong (must be currently over 32)?
Southern hemisphere player that qualifies through residency and goes on to star at the RWC for their adopted nation (given the 5 year rule that would mean they have already moved)?
Currently uncapped player who will be a star at RWC 2023?
Open to suggestions for other questions.
RWC 2023 - early predictions
Moderators: Puja, Misc Forum Mod
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switchskier
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Re: RWC 2023 - early predictions
To get the ball rolling I'll go with:
Winners of RWC 2023?
France for me. Dupont and Ntamack could be a sensational partnership and I think that whomever is coach will be given the time needed with the players for a home world cup. England also look particularly well set to build on the next four years.
Which, if any, tier 2 team will have progressed and be a contender?
Japan are the obvious answer but are due a regression. The PI's still won't have the resources. Therefore I'm going to stretch a definition and say that Italy will actually be far better in four years time as they have some genuinely talented young backs coming through.
Which, if any, tier 1 teams will be outside the IRB's top ten?
Scotland will be an old team by then (yes I'm still claiming that we're tier 1 despite our RWC) but being hold, I also think that Australian rugby might collapse entirely over the next four years
Minnows that will make their first world cup?
Kenya, because why not?
Top try scorer?
Larmour, if he gets a coach that appreciates his talents
Top points scorer?
As above, Dupont to kick and lead his side to glory.
RWC 2019 stalwart that will still be going strong (must be currently over 32)?
Duane Vermulen to still be gluing it all together for SA.
Southern hemisphere player that qualifies through residency and goes on to star at the RWC for their adopted nation (given the 5 year rule that would mean they have already moved)?
James Lowe to finally retire Earls and score a boatload of tries.
Currently uncapped player who will be a star at RWC 2023?
Stafford McDowell to be Scotland's De Allende or Linert-Brown.
Winners of RWC 2023?
France for me. Dupont and Ntamack could be a sensational partnership and I think that whomever is coach will be given the time needed with the players for a home world cup. England also look particularly well set to build on the next four years.
Which, if any, tier 2 team will have progressed and be a contender?
Japan are the obvious answer but are due a regression. The PI's still won't have the resources. Therefore I'm going to stretch a definition and say that Italy will actually be far better in four years time as they have some genuinely talented young backs coming through.
Which, if any, tier 1 teams will be outside the IRB's top ten?
Scotland will be an old team by then (yes I'm still claiming that we're tier 1 despite our RWC) but being hold, I also think that Australian rugby might collapse entirely over the next four years
Minnows that will make their first world cup?
Kenya, because why not?
Top try scorer?
Larmour, if he gets a coach that appreciates his talents
Top points scorer?
As above, Dupont to kick and lead his side to glory.
RWC 2019 stalwart that will still be going strong (must be currently over 32)?
Duane Vermulen to still be gluing it all together for SA.
Southern hemisphere player that qualifies through residency and goes on to star at the RWC for their adopted nation (given the 5 year rule that would mean they have already moved)?
James Lowe to finally retire Earls and score a boatload of tries.
Currently uncapped player who will be a star at RWC 2023?
Stafford McDowell to be Scotland's De Allende or Linert-Brown.
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Puja
- Posts: 18175
- Joined: Tue Feb 09, 2016 9:16 pm
Re: RWC 2023 - early predictions
Winners of RWC 2023?
I think France are an excellent shout, but they stand a good chance of collapsing under pressure. England have a young and promising team, but a lot will depend on 2021 - there'll either be a handover from Eddie to someone else, which could easily be botched a la Cotter-to-Townsend, or Eddie will decide to carry on and spectacularly implode. They say that the winner often tends to come off the back of a disappointing RWC, so I'll pick NZ to rebound from having a calamitous RWC2019 where they let the entire country down by getting to the semi-finals.
Which, if any, tier 2 team will have progressed and be a contender?
Contender for the title? None. Contender for the quarter finals, I think USA will be significantly better and could surprise someone.
Which, if any, tier 1 teams will be outside the IRB's top ten?
Taking aside the obvious answer of Italy, I think Argentina will still be in doldrums unless they have major change to the way their domestic system is set up.
Minnows that will make their first world cup?
I'm hoping for a 24 team RWC, so that would open up a lot more options like Brazil and Hong Kong. However, if we assume that the IRB are going to keep a closed shop, then we'll see the same 20, with only Russia and Canada at risk of being replaced by Romania and Spain. Kenya are most likely as Namibia is the easiest target to aim for, but I don't see them slipping up.
Top try scorer?
Damien Penaud
Top points scorer?
Can't fault the call of Dupont
RWC 2019 stalwart that will still be going strong (must be currently over 32)?
Alun Wyn Jones
Southern hemisphere player that qualifies through residency and goes on to star at the RWC for their adopted nation (given the 5 year rule that would mean they have already moved)?
Can't see past James Lowe either
Currently uncapped player who will be a star at RWC 2023?
Jack Willis
Puja
I think France are an excellent shout, but they stand a good chance of collapsing under pressure. England have a young and promising team, but a lot will depend on 2021 - there'll either be a handover from Eddie to someone else, which could easily be botched a la Cotter-to-Townsend, or Eddie will decide to carry on and spectacularly implode. They say that the winner often tends to come off the back of a disappointing RWC, so I'll pick NZ to rebound from having a calamitous RWC2019 where they let the entire country down by getting to the semi-finals.
Which, if any, tier 2 team will have progressed and be a contender?
Contender for the title? None. Contender for the quarter finals, I think USA will be significantly better and could surprise someone.
Which, if any, tier 1 teams will be outside the IRB's top ten?
Taking aside the obvious answer of Italy, I think Argentina will still be in doldrums unless they have major change to the way their domestic system is set up.
Minnows that will make their first world cup?
I'm hoping for a 24 team RWC, so that would open up a lot more options like Brazil and Hong Kong. However, if we assume that the IRB are going to keep a closed shop, then we'll see the same 20, with only Russia and Canada at risk of being replaced by Romania and Spain. Kenya are most likely as Namibia is the easiest target to aim for, but I don't see them slipping up.
Top try scorer?
Damien Penaud
Top points scorer?
Can't fault the call of Dupont
RWC 2019 stalwart that will still be going strong (must be currently over 32)?
Alun Wyn Jones
Southern hemisphere player that qualifies through residency and goes on to star at the RWC for their adopted nation (given the 5 year rule that would mean they have already moved)?
Can't see past James Lowe either
Currently uncapped player who will be a star at RWC 2023?
Jack Willis
Puja
Backist Monk
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cashead
- Posts: 3945
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Re: RWC 2023 - early predictions
Does Australia count as a Tier 2 side? The way they're going, they'd do well to get out of their pool in 4 years.
I'm a god
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Shame on you, sweet Nerevar
How can you kill a god?
Shame on you, sweet Nerevar