2019 Rugby World Cup

Shellyb1 said:
Anyone planning to go to Japan for the tournament? Submitted my application for block tickets - follow the boks and then a seperate one for Yokohama stadium (includes Bok V Nz game).
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I'm interested in going. Have no idea how to go about it though.
 
Fulcrum29 said:
https://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/peter-de-villiers-named-zimbabwe-coach-20180207
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And then... https://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/sa-rugby-boland-hit-back-div-is-lying-20180221

Cape Town - SA Rugby and the Boland Rugby Union have strongly denied claims made against them by former Springbok coach Peter de Villiers.

De Villiers, who was recently named as Zimbabwe’s national coach, made headlines earlier this week when he held a press conference in Johannesburg.

De Villiers said SA Rugby blacklisted him and tried to prevent him from getting future employment.

“When I was the first choice for the (Zimbabwe) job I was phoned by the Zimbabwe Rugby Union who told me that SA Rugby phoned them to say I was blacklisted in South Africa and they can’t appoint me,” De Villiers said.

SA Rugby’s spokesperson, Andy Colquhoun, denied De Villiers’ allegations, but told Netwerk24 that they will not take action against the former Bok mentor.

“We congratulate Peter with his appointment as Zimbabwe coach. There is no truth in his accusation that we want to stand in his way,” Colquhoun said.

De Villiers also claimed that SA Rugby stopped him from being appointed Boland head coach in 2016.

“When Boland wanted to make me coach, someone from SA Rugby offered them R2 million not to appoint me, and a union like that cannot afford to say no to that sort of money," De Villiers said.

Boland’s president, Ivan Pekeur, strongly denied the claims.

“Boland will never accept any money from any person or institution if it’s for obscure reasons. We are poor, but never corrupt," Pekeur said.
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:crylaugh:

Maybe he's the Tiger Woods of lying.
 
Ho3n3r said:
And then... https://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/sa-rugby-boland-hit-back-div-is-lying-20180221



:crylaugh:

Maybe he's the Tiger Woods of lying.
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Lol, yeah, the article was in the newspaper this morning. He is being absurd, and it is unacceptable at calling out the unions. Personally, I don’t believe that he is a bad coach, but he wasn’t a great Springbok coach, let bygones be bygones. He must apply positive thinking to Zimbabwe and he may be the coach they need, and they still have two opportunities to go through to the Rugby World Cup.
 
The guy is crazy.

Anyone could have coached that post-2007 team, John Smit, Matfield and the other senior players controlled everything.
 
Spain is now well on their way to claim their spot at RWC 2019 by surprising the Germans 84-10 on Sunday. They only need to play Belgium come Saturday… so yah. 20 Years later, they may again experience the RWC.

The table leaders are Georgia, but they are already through to the 2019 RWC. Strange how they are contending in the Rugby Europe Championship when they already have their ticket… In this essence, Romania is topping the European table, having also lost to Spain last month.

Germany didn’t pull through as the pundits suggested and may be relegated. They will need to win Georgia, last year’s trophy winners, in a promotion/relegation match to stay in the Rugby Europe Championship. This leaves Romania, The Oaks, as the runner-up to play against Portugal where the winner between these two will be in the hotspot to go up against the Samoans, home and away.

The above will complete the entrants in Pool A. Then it is only Pool B to be concluded.

This is going to be a huge World Repechage, it looks like the best (Tahiti excluded) runners-up, in accordance with the world rankings, may be in this competition.

The World Repechage includes:

1. Canada (21)
2. Samoa (16)/Romania (17) (pending on whether Spain beats Belgium and Romania beats Portugal).
3. Kenya (30)/Morocco (38)/Namibia (23)/Tunisia (43)/Uganda (35)/Zimbabwe (44) (the runner-up)
4. Hong Kong (22)/South Korea (32)/Malaysia (46), the winners have to play Tahiti (85)

Canada is already through to the World Repechage, this opportunity will be their third chance at going through to the 2019 RWC.

It is a hard call between Samoa and Romania. I believe Samoa will advance through to the RWC and Romania will advance through to the World Repechage. It may be the other way around…

I don’t know which team will win the Gold Cup, Namibia looks shaky. The winner will advance through to the RWC and the runner-up will advance through to the World Repechage.

The Asia Rugby Championship is likely to be won by either Hong Kong or South Korea. The winner will play Tahiti, and the winner here will advance through to the World Repechage.

I guess these will be the 4 teams:

Canada (21), Romania (17), Kenya (30) and Hong Kong (22).

The World Repechage is to be held in France in November.

The Germans were beaten badly down the rankings, currently at 28.
 
Ireland will take this World Cup, done and dusted, mods please close thread.
 
Whright said:
Ireland will take this World Cup, done and dusted, mods please close thread.
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Japan is a tricky place to play rugby in, touring teams in Japan has spoken volumes about the changing circumstances. One day it is like this and on another day, it is like that. Just to mention, SA haven’t visited Japan to negotiate a base camp or have organised back-to-back tests in the country since 2016 (upon RWC 2015's conclusion).

Scotland, Wales, England, Australia and New Zealand have all cosied up already. I guess the island teams with their close relation with Japan have their things in order, incl. USA.

Ireland had their tour to Japan last year. France doesn’t seem to like Japan…

Super Rugby games in Japan will by no means set an expectancy, those playing in the Top League may be better prepared. There is an interesting story behind players taping their hands up in Japan.
 
So... another interesting development, Belgium beats Spain...

https://www.eurosport.com/rugby/rom...-spain-lose-to-belgium_sto6681739/story.shtml

BRUSSELS, March 18 (Reuters) - Romania qualified for the 2019 Rugby World Cup in unexpected circumstances as Spain missed out on an automatic place by suffering a shock 18-10 defeat away to Belgium in their last game in the Rugby Europe Championship on Sunday.

Romania finished second in the standings on 14 points, one above Spain, who would have qualified for the World Cup for the first time since 1999 if they had beaten Belgium.

Georgia finished top of the standings with 19 points but had already sealed their World Cup place, meaning no points from their games counted towards qualification.

Romania won their last competitive game by beating Belgium 62-12 last Saturday and lost an effective friendly against Georgia 25-16 on Sunday.

Spain will now need to beat Portugal in a playoff and then win a two-legged tie against Samoa in order to reach the World Cup in Japan in 2019.

If they beat Portugal but lose to Samoa they will play in a four-team repechage in November in a last attempt to qualify for the competition.

Spain had hammered Belgium 30-0 in Madrid in the 2017 edition and were overwhelming favourites to beat them again and reach the World Cup after thrashing Germany 84-10 in their previous outing having also beaten Romania.
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https://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/spain-round-on-referee-after-rugby-world-cup-qualifier-loss-20180318

Social media was quick to hint at dark conspiracy theories based on the nationality -- Romanian -- of the referee in charge of the game.

Spanish rugby federation president Alfonso Feijoo was in no doubt where the blame lay for Spain's shock defeat.

"Everyone who has seen the game will judge the referee. He gave 10 penalties against us, the result comes from that," he posted on Twitter.
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Now it is either Portugal or Spain to play the Samoans.
 
So... chaos in Europe.

https://www.independent.co.uk/sport...sia-germany-europe-championship-a8276381.html

Rugby World Cup 2019 picture takes another turn as Romania and Belgium accused of fielding ineligible players

Russia and Germany have asked for clarification on players used by Romania and Belgium, with potential disqualification from the Rugby Europe Championship on the cards

Rugby Europe has delayed their decision on the controversy surrounding the game between Belgium and Spain that lead to Romania qualifying for the 2019 Rugby World Cup after new allegations, which also involve Germany and Russia, emerged over ineligible players.

Belgium’s 18-10 defeat of Spain on Sunday 18 March lead to outrage from both the Spanish players and rugby union after Vlad Iordachescu, a Romanian referee, was allowed to take charge of the match when it had a direct influence on his homeland’s chances of qualifying for Japan 2019.

Iordachescu has faced widespread criticism for his performance and was last week removed from this weekend’s European Challenge Cup quarter-final between Pau and Stade Francais due to safety concerns, given Pau’s close proximity to the Spanish border. A number of Spanish players also tried to confront Iordachescu immediately after the full-time whistle and chased him from the field of play in scenes that have been widely condemned.

Rugby Europe has delayed their decision on the controversy surrounding the game between Belgium and Spain that lead to Romania qualifying for the 2019 Rugby World Cup after new allegations, which also involve Germany and Russia, emerged over ineligible players.

Belgium’s 18-10 defeat of Spain on Sunday 18 March lead to outrage from both the Spanish players and rugby union after Vlad Iordachescu, a Romanian referee, was allowed to take charge of the match when it had a direct influence on his homeland’s chances of qualifying for Japan 2019.

Iordachescu has faced widespread criticism for his performance and was last week removed from this weekend’s European Challenge Cup quarter-final between Pau and Stade Francais due to safety concerns, given Pau’s close proximity to the Spanish border. A number of Spanish players also tried to confront Iordachescu immediately after the full-time whistle and chased him from the field of play in scenes that have been widely condemned.

...
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This needs to be cleared up quickly, also noting that Rugby Europe is independent of World Rugby and don't have to answer to World Rugby. Rugby Europe is also headed by a Romanian. Now that World Rugby has disqualified Tahiti,

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby...-qualifying-after-fielding-ineligible-players

Rugby World Cup qualifying result overturned after Tahiti found guilty of fielding ineligible players

The Cook Islands will advance to the next stage of the Rugby World Cup qualifying stages after World Rugby ruled Tahiti – coached by former Highlanders wing Romi Ropati – fielded two ineligible players in a match last year.

World Rugby issued a statement saying it had investigated the game – won 13-7 by Tahiti in Rarotonga on August 4, 2017 – after a formal request from the Cook Islands Rugby Union.

Tim Gresson, a former Timaru Crown prosecutor and ex-NZ Rugby and International Rugby Board member, investigated the claims.

"Having considered all the facts, including submissions from Tahiti Rugby Union, he determined that the Tahiti Rugby Union had breached Regulation 8 by fielding two ineligible players," World Rugby's statement said.

Gresson ruled that the result is overturned and directed that the Cook Islands should be confirmed as winners.

The Cook Islands now progress to the next round of Rugby World Cup 2019 qualification, where they will meet the yet-to-be-determined winner of the Asia Rugby Championship ,home and away, beginning with a match in the Cook Islands on 30 June and the return leg on July 7.

World Rugby also imposed a £50,000 ($NZ98,000) fine on Tahiti – suspended for five years.

The ineligible players were two French-born backs, halfback Guillaume Brouqui, who scored a try, and first five-eighth Andoni Jimenez, who kicked a penalty.

The players and the Tahiti Rugby Union – represented by Papeete lawyer Sandra Laudon – denied the charges.

Gresson found, in his judicial officer's report, neither player had a parent or grand parent born in Tahiti.

Gresson was "completely satisfied" that two players had not lived in Tahiti consecutively for 36 months – another key World Rugby eligibility criterion – when they first played for Tahiti.
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we may see World Rugby intervene in Rugby Europe's affairs in contravention of the Rugby World Cup's qualifying process. Rugby Europe has to make their decision by Thursday and there may be controversy...

I will be happy to see Spain qualify for the Rugby World Cup, they have had a good and consistent track record up until they were beaten by Belgium. It would also mean that Russia will have to play Portugal and the winner between these two will face Samoa.
 
Looking back, Russia was disqualified from the 2003 Rugby World Cup after beating Spain in the qualifiers. Spain reported them for fielding three South Africans.
 
https://www.worldrugby.org/news/324233?lang=en

World Rugby statement: Rugby World Cup 2019 qualification, Belgium versus Spain

World Rugby will convene an independent disputes committee to examine issues arising from the 2017 and 2018 Rugby Europe Championship, competitions that doubled as the European qualification process for Rugby World Cup 2019.

World Rugby will convene an independent disputes committee to examine issues arising from the 2017 and 2018 Rugby Europe Championship, competitions that doubled as the European qualification process for Rugby World Cup 2019.

World Rugby was deeply concerned about the circumstances surrounding the Belgium versus Spain Rugby Europe Championship match, a match that was decisive in the context of Rugby World Cup 2019 qualification. Specifically, concerns related to the process and perception of Rugby Europe’s appointment of a match official team that was not neutral in the context of qualification and failing to act on Spain’s concerns in respect of the appointment.

While recognising Rugby Europe’s responsibility to review events in their own competition, given the context and significance of the fixture World Rugby acted immediately to request information relating to the above issues from Rugby Europe and participating unions. Having considered all available information, the World Rugby Executive Committee and Rugby World Cup Board felt that a replay would be in the best interests of the game.

Since expressing that view, new information relating to player eligibility in the Rugby Europe Championship has been presented to World Rugby by the participating unions. Given this information concerns potential breach of World Rugby regulations and given the complexity and interconnectivity of the issues, a full and independent review is warranted. This is in the best interests of the sport, teams and fans and is fully supported by Rugby Europe.
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No talk of Romania which fielded ineligible players…
 
Georgia insiders claim that Spain, Romania and Belgium may now be disqualified for the Rugby World Cup by World Rugby for fielding ineligible players. That would place Russia below Georgia on the Europe ladder and put Germany back in the hot-seat for playing against Portugal. The winner between Germany and Portugal will play against Samoa for Rugby World Cup qualification.
 
I don't understand this ineligible players things...

We have South African's who played for France and England at World cups before. How does one become an ineligible player?
 
Funnily enough, a family relation has been playing in Georgia or Romania, not sure which exactly, for a few years. He said he received a call out the blue from the national coach saying he's eligible for the national team, would he be keen, few weeks later he was playing in these qualifiers. Now he's never represented SA but got no idea if he qualified based on residency.
So yeah, I can believe stories of ineligible players.

Edit - turns out he's in the Romanian squad.
 
Sepeng said:
Funnily enough, a family relation has been playing in Georgia or Romania, not sure which exactly, for a few years. He said he received a call out the blue from the national coach saying he's eligible for the national team, would he be keen, few weeks later he was playing in these qualifiers. Now he's never represented SA but got no idea if he qualified based on residency.
So yeah, I can believe stories of ineligible players.

Edit - turns out he's in the Romanian squad.
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Only thing I know that ever was an issue is that if you represented your country in the National squad and played a match, you can't play for another country. But look at Ackerman now at Gloucester. He's only played SA A team and can still play for the English
 
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