Pool B - South Africa, Ireland, Scotland, Tonga, Romania

[James]

9 September 2023​	Ireland	v​	Romania	Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux, Bordeaux
10 September 2023​	South Africa	v​	Scotland	Stade Vélodrome, Marseille
16 September 2023​	Ireland	v​	Tonga	Stade de la Beaujoire, Nantes
17 September 2023​	South Africa	v​	Romania	Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux, Bordeaux
23 September 2023​	South Africa	v​	Ireland	Stade de France, Saint-Denis
24 September 2023​	Scotland	v​	Tonga	Allianz Riviera, Nice
30 September 2023​	Scotland	v​	Romania	Stade Pierre-Mauroy, Lille
1 October 2023​	South Africa	v​	Tonga	Stade Vélodrome, Marseille
7 October 2023​	Ireland	v​	Scotland	Stade de France, Saint-Denis
8 October 2023​	Tonga	v​	Romania	Stade Pierre-Mauroy, Lille

 

[BoyBrumby]

Ah what we're contractually obliged to call the Group of Death™.

Rough draw for the Sweaties, who I'd take to beat us about seven times out of ten right now.

Tempting to say it's a straight shoot out between them and yer Micks for second place, but I'd say RSA/Ireland is a 50/50 call right now.

 

[Uppercut]

Going out in the group stages with this team would be ****ing brutal, but it’s a real possibility. I can see three teams ending with three wins each and someone going out with only one loss.

 

[StephenZA]

SAs no 10 is a big problem with Pollard out. Effects the kicking from T as well, I think SA gonna struggle against teams that keep it tight.

 

[StephenZA]

Going out in the group stages with this team would be ****ing brutal, but it’s a real possibility. I can see three teams ending with three wins each and someone going out with only one loss.

It would be terrible for Ireland to not get through after the last 4 years they've had.

 

[Molehill]

Can't see Ireland not going through, think I'd still fancy them to beat SA to be honest, their pack is just so good in open play. But a reminder Ireland have never won a knockout match in the World Cup, and with either NZ or France waiting, that run looks like it could continue, despite being so highly ranked.

 

[Uppercut]

Having one of the tougher group games to finish is also something that caused us huge problems in 2015. We might need to battle through a must-win game against Scotland and then meet a NZ team fresh off a game with Uruguay and a couple of days extra rest.

It's not supposed to be easy though. Hopefully we play some good rugby because the creative passing game under Farrell is something that no other Ireland team I can remember has had.

 

[Kenneth Viljoen]

This is a tough group , it may come down to the barest of margins

 

[ripper868]

Tonga could cause some problems here as well, aside the usual 'sore bodies' that come with matches against the PI teams, there's a few familiar names in the Tonga Squad - notably Israel Folau and Malaki Fekitoa. Add in an Augustine Pulu and Charles Piatau and there's a fair bit of (old?) lightning in the Tongan jar.

 

[Molehill]

Didn't realise Folau is turning out for Tonga now, presume they have a better 'plan' for homosexuals than Australia did.

 

[Heboric]

If there was a World Cup for doom and gloomers us South Africans would be permanent champions. Anyways.

Really think we will make it out of the group even with the loss of Pollard

 

[ashley bach]

Didn't realise Folau is turning out for Tonga now, presume they have a better 'plan' for homosexuals than Australia did.

What a ****ing drop kick that guy turned out to be.

 

[ripper868]

If there was a World Cup for doom and gloomers us South Africans would be permanent champions. Anyways.

Really think we will make it out of the group even with the loss of Pollard

I think Libbock has looked plenty capable from the tests I've seen, besides, it's your 1-8 that win it for you, then the 11-14-15 that decide how much

 

[Dendarii]

I think Libbock has looked plenty capable from the tests I've seen, besides, it's your 1-8 that win it for you, then the 11-14-15 that decide how much

There's been some negativity around Libbok, which I think is a little unjustified. He does seem to be one of those players where people remember his mistakes much more than all the good things he does.

That's not to say that there isn't some concern with him being the only recognised flyhalf in the squad and inexperienced at international level, but it's certainly not as bad as some of the doom and gloom merchants are making it out to be.

 

[Heboric]

Come on Jacques and Rassie give us a 8 - 0 split bench for a World Cup game. Do it for the absolutely wonderful Matt Williams it will make his day

 

[Dendarii]

Come on Jacques and Rassie give us a 8 - 0 split bench for a World Cup game. Do it for the absolutely wonderful Matt Williams it will make his day

The Romania game would be perfect for all sorts of bonkers selections. Faf at flyhalf, Snyman at centre, De Allende at flank, Reinach and Williams on the wings, an 8-0 bench - it would be the most Rassie move ever.

 

[Furball]

It would be terrible for Ireland to not get through after the last 4 years they've had.

But also incredibly on brand.

 

[Niall]

But also incredibly on brand.

All about the six nations.

 

[Furball]

Late to the game, looking at the tries in the first half Romania must have had a fairly hilarious missed conversion? Looks like the scrum half more or less got in under the posts.

 

[Molehill]

Given what we've seen so far between the Northern and Southern Hemisphere teams, I would not be surprised if Scotland run this one really close.