Official Rugby Thread

[Chubb]

I may be wrong but I believe Zimbabwe have just qualified for the next world cup? They just beat Namibia at the African Championship.

Zimbabwe win Rugby Africa Men's Cup 2024 | World Rugby

The Sables defeated first-time finalists Algeria 29-3 in Kampala on Sunday to win their first title since 2012 and climb to a nine-year high in the World Rugby Men's Rankings.

www.world.rugby

 

[ripper868]

I may be wrong but I believe Zimbabwe have just qualified for the next world cup? They just beat Namibia at the African Championship.

Zimbabwe win Rugby Africa Men's Cup 2024 | World Rugby

The Sables defeated first-time finalists Algeria 29-3 in Kampala on Sunday to win their first title since 2012 and climb to a nine-year high in the World Rugby Men's Rankings.

www.world.rugby

I suspect that there would be a specific qualifying tournament nearer to 2027, as 3 years out seems a bit early to be giving the 'Africa 1' qualifying position away.

This tournament is also every 2 years, so there'd be another cycle before the next RWC, so that may well be the one that acts as the qualifier - info on web very scarce with regard to what the qualifying routes actually are for 2027 though.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Be nice to see the Zimbas back in the WC.

Produced some fair talent over the years, albeit ending up repping other countries for the most part. There's Pocock, the Beast and Bobby Skinstad off the top of my head.

 

[ripper868]

George Gregan also.

Just found a vague graphic, that could be true, or could not be, but the Africa 1 spot will go to the winner of the 2025 Africa cup, so Zim are 1 year too early at the moment. Not sure of the legitimacy of said graphic, but it's all I've got.

 

[BoyBrumby]

George Gregan also.

Just found a vague graphic, that could be true, or could not be, but the Africa 1 spot will go to the winner of the 2025 Africa cup, so Zim are 1 year too early at the moment. Not sure of the legitimacy of said graphic, but it's all I've got.
View attachment 41138

Thought he was Zambian? But anyway, yeah, no shortage of talent and with the recent-ish change in eligibility rules I'm sure there's a good few internationals with a Zimba parent or grandparent who've been stood down from their previous rep countries for the requisite three years who might fancy a crack with the lure of a WC spot.

 

[ripper868]

Thought he was Zambian? But anyway, yeah, no shortage of talent and with the recent-ish change in eligibility rules I'm sure there's a good few internationals with a Zimba parent or grandparent who've been stood down from their previous rep countries for the requisite three years who might fancy a crack with the lure of a WC spot.

Quite right, his mother was Zim, but he is Zam.

But yeah, Zim has a fair share of high quality products.

 

[Dendarii]

Quite right, his mother was Zim, but he is Zam.

His father was Australian, so that makes him Zambian-born rather than of Zambian heritage.

 

[ripper868]

His father was Australian, so that makes him Zambian-born rather than of Zambian heritage.

And also moved to Aus at 2 years old, so probably more Aus than either Zim or Zam really.

I miss him.

 

[BoyBrumby]

And also moved to Aus at 2 years old, so probably more Aus than either Zim or Zam really.

I miss him.

Always loved a proper, niggly little #9. Plus, obvz, his finest moment:

 

[Fuller Pilch]

Always loved a proper, niggly little #9. Plus, obvz, his finest moment:

View attachment 41143

It was a genius sledge (have to respect that), but his finest moment was the tackle on Jeff Wilson in 94 (wow - where have 30 years gone???!!) to win the Bledisloe for Australia.

 

[ashley bach]

**** Fuller don't remind us of such things.

 

[Dendarii]

And also moved to Aus at 2 years old, so probably more Aus than either Zim or Zam really.

Yeah, he definitely should be regarded as Australian. That's where he grew up and he's a product of their rugby development system. The Zambian thing is just a piece of trivia.

 

[Fuller Pilch]

**** Fuller don't remind us of such things.

Sorry mate

 

[ashley bach]

Sorry mate

Haha all good my man. It's kinda funny how you can remember things so clearly 30 years ago.

 

[ripper868]

**** Fuller don't remind us of such things.

All I have is my early teen memories of the wallabies from 98 to 03ish (despite the Jonny Incident, that RWC was still incredible). We've won 2/5ths of **** all since. Reds 2011 probably the only real highlight (for how they won, vs that they won).

Gregan, Larkham, Roff, Tune, Latham, Burke, Walker with the dazzle, amongst the hard worker types of Grey and Herbert, add in the forwards like Eales, Kefu, Giffin, Finegan, Wilson, Noriega, Paul, G.Smith .

And then put them against Cullen, Umanga, Kelleher, Kronfeld, Randall, Blackadder, Meuws, Howlett, Rokococko...

Think I need a lie down.

EDIT: Nope, I need a lie down for sure.

 

[ripper868]

And now I'm down a rabbit hole of 90/00's highlights...my word Christian Cullen.

 

[ashley bach]

The Paekakariki Express was a freak. Still haven't seen anyone who could quite glide around the field like him.

 

[ripper868]

Reading the team lists for Aus v SA this weekend has me worried it could be 50-0 or worse.

I like Schmidt, I trust Schmidt, he has runs on the board with building rugby programs. I fear we just don't have the cattle right now.

I'm hopeful, and always will be, but the Bok team looks scary scary good.

 

[Heboric]

Hopefully the Boks break the Brisbane curse

 

[ripper868]

I'll be very very surprised if they dont...have set the alarm for 5.30am...mrs ripper is disapproving of this decision.