The Rugby thread

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Whright said:
That's difficult too answer.

My head would say NZ and my heart will say England.

However, the Boks have won 3 World cups.
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The reason I'm asking because again this weekend constantly made reference to Ireland being the best in the world so I'm confused what happens with the World Cup vs The World Ranking.

What if Ireland stays on #1 but never wins a world cup does that still make them the best in the world? What if New Zealand wins the world cup this year but doesn't make the it to the top of the ranking are they not the best? South Africa are the current holders where does this leave us ranked #4 currently?

I get confused when commentators say Ireland is the best in the world and then a few minutes later call South Africa the world champions. What is the difference?
 
cavedog said:
The reason I'm asking because again this weekend constantly made reference to Ireland being the best in the world so I'm confused what happens with the World Cup vs The World Ranking.

What if Ireland stays on #1 but never wins a world cup does that still make them the best in the world? What if New Zealand wins the world cup this year but doesn't make the it to the top of the ranking are they not the best? South Africa are the current holders where does this leave us ranked #4 currently?

I get confused when commentators say Ireland is the best in the world and then a few minutes later call South Africa the world champions. What is the difference?
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It is a difficult answer once again.

Rankings are current, form is temporary, class/skill is permanent.

Who won the most WC's or who won the most internationals or which team has won vs lost games?

I would say that the best teams that ever played rugby would be (my heart breaks to say this) the Blue Bulls and the Crusaders.

It does not matter, what matters is what is recorded in the history books.

Just my opinion.
 
@cavedog

Whoever wins the RWC always ends up ranked #1 because those games count for extra points but it's whether they can maintain it. Historically it's very hard to argue NZ are the best. I would say a team that can hold down the number one spot for at least a year is arguably better than World Champs if the world champs are not the team ranked first.

This graphic from Wikipedia shows just how dominant NZ have been, for example. Our hegemony at the top was helped because we played no international rugby in 2020.

1676275053311.png

What makes it more impressive is NZ were so far ahead that for anyone not in the top 3-5 nations wouldn't get them any points. They managed to stay 1 for about a decade playing traditional powerhouses Australia and South Africa yearly.
 
Whright said:
Calm down my Scottish neighbor, its only two games in a row that's been won, a few more to go before the 6N goes to Scotland/SA.
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I’m not getting excited at all. We Scot’s have no expectations other than an optimistic heart.

Whright said:
Spizz, rugby a side, its actually sad how for decades/centuries we cannot get along......
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There might be some muppets, but it’s only a friendly rivalry from the majority of us. I love my English neighbours like brothers and sisters. True story.
 
netstrider said:
@cavedog

Whoever wins the RWC always ends up ranked #1 because those games count for extra points but it's whether they can maintain it. Historically it's very hard to argue NZ are the best. I would say a team that can hold down the number one spot for at least a year is arguably better than World Champs if the world champs are not the team ranked first.

This graphic from Wikipedia shows just how dominant NZ have been, for example. Our hegemony at the top was helped because we played no international rugby in 2020.

View attachment 1474785

What makes it more impressive is NZ were so far ahead that for anyone not in the top 3-5 nations wouldn't get them any points. They managed to stay 1 for about a decade playing traditional powerhouses Australia and South Africa yearly.
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Indeed, I will just put it down to the Irish being excited to be ranked #1 and they getting ahead of themselves.
 
I would say the criteria for a number one ranked team is to win the world cup and stay tops for a long time, let's say for a year and a half+. This shows that you can win under pressure and consistantly stay on top of your game. In this regard NZ stands head and shoulders above the rest. SA a distant 2nd. The Irish are on their way if they can win the WC.
 
Also helps to win a trophy or two whilst world champs.

If SA can win TRC this year they will equal John Smit's Boks who won the Tri Nations and a Lions series while world champs.

Of course, we did win TRC in 2019 so it depends how you want to count the cycle. We have yet to win one that isn't a reduced format though.

For that reason alone I think the 2007 - 2009 Boks are slightly more successful.

If this Bok side can win at Eden Park though it may even up, although that old Bok side won in Dunedin for the first time in what, 80 odd years as well.

As for Ireland, there's no doubt anymore that they are number one. They won a swries in NZ, beaten SA, Australia, and now France.
 
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Werner1975 said:
SA teams playing in URC this weekend -:

* Lions vs Sharks - 3pm at Emirates Airline Park,
* Bulls vs Stormers - 5pm at Loftus.
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I see Ellispark is empty. People have given up on The Lions.

In total contrast Loftus is basically sold out. Well over 40 000 tickets sold.
 
I don't want to be that guy but the officiating was seriously dodge in the Bulls vs Stormers game.
 
cavedog said:
I don't want to be that guy but the officiating was seriously dodge in the Bulls vs Stormers game.
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Totally agree. Bulls tried their best to throw the game, but ref kept them in it till the end for the drama
 
Another win and a three point gain on the Bulls for the conference.

Stormers still have some tough assignments against the Sharks and Munster.
 
What I am most pleased of is the attendance.

Great for SA rugby to get 40k+ in a non-playoff game.

Well done to everyone that made it there.
 
netstrider said:
What I am most pleased of is the attendance.

Great for SA rugby to get 40k+ in a non-playoff game.

Well done to everyone that made it there.
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I was there.
Firstly for the past 2 decades a Bull/Stormer/WP game at Loftus is almost as a home game for the WP, there is normally about 50/50 representation in the crowd, I have been there that I think there is more Stormers supporters than Bulls. It always draws big crowds.
It is so bad for the Bulls that last night they started playing music during gameplay so that the crowds could not get going with WEEPEE jou lekka ding, inspiring the Stormers B team even more.
Secondly to get those crowds they made tickets cheap. Wife know the only way to get me to go sit with my kids between those tappets is behind the poles where it is supposed to be kids friendly zone. Tickets was R25, we bought an extra seat in the middle of our 4 to place drinks and snacks on.
 
I wish Lions management can wake up. The team is in total shambles. 5 losses in a row and 10 losses in a row vs other SA teams. Sad to see your team doing so poorly.
 
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