Will Wales ever get in a RWC final ?

[McTallshort]

Only if they face England in the Semis

 

[Which Tyler]

Only if they face England in the Semis

They'd need to face Ireland in the Quarters, in order to get that Semi against England

 

[Ddanno]

They'd need to face Ireland in the Quarters, in order to get that Semi against England

They've always got a semi against England

 

[Saintjay]

Could probably do with beating the All Blacks first. It's what 28 years or so then it's a 100 year losing streak.

Still never say never.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Could probably do with beating the All Blacks first. It's what 28 years or so then it's a 100 year losing streak.

Still never say never.

That's it, our world cup record is infamous but we were seen as, and I'd argue that we were, serious contenders at the last one. We were a one score game, decided at the death away from the final. (Shoulda coulda woulda vs fine margins, but I don'tthink I'm claiming anything above our station)

Don't think a team can claim that when they haven't beaten another team in the competition in relevant history.

From where Wales currently are they need about a 10 - 15 year period of improvement across the board before it seems reasonable to consider them contenders.

I don't think we'll be a serious threat in two years but equally think we'll have a team capable of one upset win against anyone, that can be enough to reach a final with luck on your side, and I feel we're due a bit of luck in this comp...

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

OP, it's been a while since your original post. You might want to rename the thread

"Will Wales ever finish as high as 5th in the 6 Nations again?"

 

[Ddanno]

OP, it's been a while since your original post. You might want to rename the thread

"Will Wales ever finish as high as 5th in the 6 Nations again?"

Dude....

 

[ncurd]

Dude....

 

[Welsh Exile]

OP, it's been a while since your original post. You might want to rename the thread

"Will Wales ever finish as high as 5th in the 6 Nations again?"

We clearly decided after the last World Cup to play a long game strategy and lull everyone into a false sense of security so that when the next World Cup comes along we'll be like BAM and win the thing.

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

We clearly decided after the last World Cup to play a long game strategy and lull everyone into a false sense of security so that when the next World Cup comes along we'll be like BAM and win the thing.

I think you've lulled them into a true sense of security.

 

[BrokenWing]

Stranger things have happened..... Can't think of any specific examples mind, but...

 

[ChicagoKid]

I don't see any of the smaller nations making it to a RWC final in the near term. The bigger the tournament, the more depth plays a vital role.

Wales, Scotland, Ireland, Italy, Oz, Fiji, and Argentina all have had solid to great starting 15s. But none of them can sustain major injuries which are inevitable at the RWC.

France, England, NZ, and Boks experience injuries and have a smaller drop off from one player to the next.

Until the smaller nations build the depth, I can't see it. I'd be absolutely shocked if the RWC2031 final didn't contain 2 of the big 4 nations.

 

[Welsh Exile]

I don't see any of the smaller nations making it to a RWC final in the near term. The bigger the tournament, the more depth plays a vital role.

Wales, Scotland, Ireland, Italy, Oz, Fiji, and Argentina all have had solid to great starting 15s. But none of them can sustain major injuries which are inevitable at the RWC.

France, England, NZ, and Boks experience injuries and have a smaller drop off from one player to the next.

Until the smaller nations build the depth, I can't see it. I'd be absolutely shocked if the RWC2031 final didn't contain 2 of the big 4 nations.

Thank you for including us in your list along with Scotland and Ireland. Your praise will not be forgotten comrade.

 

[ChicagoKid]

Thank you for including us in your list along with Scotland and Ireland. Your praise will not be forgotten comrade.

The 2011 Wales team should have made the final and could have pipped NZ.

Wales will get back eventually. Things change quickly in rugby.

 

[Saintjay]

The 2011 Wales team should have made the final and could have pipped NZ.

Wales will get back eventually. Things change quickly in rugby.

You should have been here for the Warburton red card debate. It made the politics thread look like one big love in.

 

[Welsh Exile]

The 2011 Wales team should have made the final and could have pipped NZ.

Wales will get back eventually. Things change quickly in rugby.

Congratulations. You have been appointed minister of war. We march on the Allianz stadium at dawn. Diolch.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

I don't think depth is Ireland's issue more a concentration of elite talent. We had it in 23 and were in the mix. Losing Sexton, POM and watching Beirne, Henshaw, Aki, Furlong on the wane with VdF and Lowe likely to follow.

We have plenty of lads who are capable internationals (outside of prop which is a major issue currently) who can deputise. But you need enough top end class for depth to be worth anything.

 

[ChicagoKid]

I don't think depth is Ireland's issue more a concentration of elite talent. We had it in 23 and were in the mix. Losing Sexton, POM and watching Beirne, Henshaw, Aki, Furlong on the wane with VdF and Lowe likely to follow.

We have plenty of lads who are capable internationals (outside of prop which is a major issue currently) who can deputise. But you need enough top end class for depth to be worth anything.

Glad you said it, but the prop depth is bad. Cian Healy should have been put out to pasture after 2019. For him to still be mucking around 6 years later is frankly not good.

If Andrew Porter went down, Ireland are in a world of hurt because Furlong isn't making my top 5 TH list right now.