Pool Draw 2027

Leonormous Boozer · Wednesday at 9:39 PM

dirty harry said:
Not saying this is a bad draw, but this attitude would probably have leant itself to their 2015 loss in cardiff. Ireland were undefeared in what 8 years since the 2007 RWC, which also included beating them twice in Argentina the year previous. I dont think many Irishmen had ever lost to Argentina pre that 2015 game, off the top of my head only POC and Best was at the 2007 RWC, not sure if they played v Arg.

Argentina very muchbhave the upper hand over Ireland in RWCs.

I think POC, SOB, Sexton, POM and Payne all being unavailable was a bigger factor.

Cruz_del_Sur said:
Consistently losing in WCs against a team you generally beat in friendlies is irrelevant?
Bold take.

Addressed above in response to Olly.

Saintjay · Wednesday at 9:41 PM

Half Pint said:
Does anyone think that we might see some gamesmanship to manipulate results or strategically put out reserve teams, either by Aus/NZ in order to avoid RSA in the knockout stages, or by Rassie just because he can?

SA to lose against Italy. Then go England side of the draw to only meet NZ / France in the finals. Seen a few comments it's the smart Rassie thing to do. They don't care about losing a group game.

England and Ireland fans to then moan about it till the end of days.

Scotty · Wednesday at 9:47 PM

Has anyone got the play off graphic filled in with teams that should win on paper/based on rankings to show visually who plays who?

Reiser99 · 2025-12-04T03:11:01+0000

Leonormous Boozer said:
No but that's also irrelevant

There is a definite flaw in your logic. You're happy to take friendlies from the past as relevant, but not WC matches. Either the past is relevant or it's not, you can't pick and choose which bits to support your narrative.

Leonormous Boozer · 2025-12-04T04:20:01+0000

Reiser99 said:
There is a definite flaw in your logic. You're happy to take friendlies from the past as relevant, but not WC matches. Either the past is relevant or it's not, you can't pick and choose which bits to support your narrative.

**** me.

Yeah, **** draw, South Africa or France would have been way better. That match in 1999 is far more relevant to the one in 2024.

Do me a favour lads. Lost credibility as soon as you said friendlies too.

saulan · 2025-12-04T08:38:35+0000

Scotty said:
Has anyone got the play off graphic filled in with teams that should win on paper/based on rankings to show visually who plays who?

I liked the (I know) on this one.

Ddanno · 2025-12-04T08:38:36+0000

Tempted to put £10 on Tonga knocking Wales out

BPM · 2025-12-04T09:56:24+0000

Saintjay said:
SA to lose against Italy. Then go England side of the draw to only meet NZ / France in the finals. Seen a few comments it's the smart Rassie thing to do. They don't care about losing a group game.

England and Ireland fans to then moan about it till the end of Woul such obvious gamesmanship be tolerated?

Saintjay said:
SA to lose against Italy. Then go England side of the draw to only meet NZ / France in the finals. Seen a few comments it's the smart Rassie thing to do. They don't care about losing a group game.

England and Ireland fans to then moan about it till the end of days.

Sounds like the sort of BS Rassie would try. Would trolling the competition like that be tolerated though?

When SA’s 3rd XV would be expected to beat Italy, their first 2nd XV ‘failing’ to do so in a tournament scenario would surely raise some eyebrows.

Anyway, if that happened, I would f**king LOVE to beat them early doors.

dirty harry · 2025-12-04T12:33:42+0000

Ddanno said:
Tempted to put £10 on Tonga knocking Wales out

Happily take that!!!

If Wales lose to Tonga and dont qualify ill pay you a tenner, if wales beat Tonga or qualify through you pay me...

saulan · 2025-12-04T12:39:39+0000

BPM said:
Sounds like the sort of BS Rassie would try. Would trolling the competition like that be tolerated though?

When SA’s 3rd XV would be expected to beat Italy, their first 2nd XV ‘failing’ to do so in a tournament scenario would surely raise some eyebrows.

Anyway, if that happened, I would f**king LOVE to beat them early doors.

Let’s be realistic. Rassie tries stuff and will experiment, but he (and Springbok players) would never go out into a game actively trying to lose.

Brigantine · 2025-12-04T12:49:29+0000

Just messing around.

I hope Japan can beat a path to being a genuine upset possibility over the next 2 years for France or Aus. Objectively we haven't seen anything of the sort yet - just a rank 9-12 team being solidly put in their place. Same as Italy.

Welsh Exile · 2025-12-04T13:07:44+0000

dirty harry said:
Happily take that!!!

If Wales lose to Tonga and dont qualify ill pay you a tenner, if wales beat Tonga or qualify through you pay me...

I reckon we’ll get to the qtrs.

Scotty · 2025-12-04T13:12:53+0000

saulan said:
Let’s be realistic. Rassie tries stuff and will experiment, but he (and Springbok players) would never go out into a game actively trying to lose.

100% agree, but if a player is in his WC squad then they are good enough to be there so I could see him putting out the weakest side possible to see what happens, knowing there are no consequences to losing.

Still trying to win.

BPM · 2025-12-04T13:34:17+0000

saulan said:
Let’s be realistic. Rassie tries stuff and will experiment, but he (and Springbok players) would never go out into a game actively trying to lose.

Yes, that’s fair. It was more of a response to the idea that they might do that.

I fully expect him to play his weakest 23 through the pool stage to keep his frontline players as fresh as possible, but I’d also expect most of the serious contenders to do the same.

The sequence of games will also play a part in that too as no-one wants to go into the knock-outs undercooked. From an England POV, I’d expect more of a mix and match approach vs. Wales and Tonga and more of a reserve 23 vs. Zimbabwe.

saulan · 2025-12-04T13:54:14+0000

BPM said:
Yes, that’s fair. It was more of a response to the idea that they might do that.

I fully expect him to play his weakest 23 through the pool stage to keep his frontline players as fresh as possible, but I’d also expect most of the serious contenders to do the same.

The sequence of games will also play a part in that too as no-one wants to go into the knock-outs undercooked. From an England POV, I’d expect more of a mix and match approach vs. Wales and Tonga and more of a reserve 23 vs. Zimbabwe.

I actually think he will do what he has been doing all along this last two years. He will rotate the squads. I’m sure Italy will get our strongest to get the best opportunity to practice and stay match fit and sharp, and then second team maybe for Romania and a mix team for Georgia.

The thing is also… I don’t think he will do the traditional approach of the same team every week when we get to knock outs. The spine will be largely in place, but there will likely be a fair bit of horses for courses.

SéniorHuevo · 2025-12-04T16:56:47+0000

Ddanno said:
Tempted to put £10 on Tonga knocking Wales out

Nah, get your money on Spain knocking Wales out after they bother come third..

Vaquer · 2025-12-04T20:27:00+0000

saulan said:
View attachment 25151
I liked the (I know) on this one.

Never watched the bronze final in this and the soccer world cup

Duct Tape · 2025-12-05T07:03:21+0000

Time for a new RWC 2027 thread, with this as the first post…

Geordie · 2025-12-05T08:20:37+0000

Any mileage in the Rassie to USA rumours? Or media drivel?

Pool Draw 2027

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