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‘The stage is set’: Sir Bill Beaumont looks ahead to ‘unpredictable’ World Cup
World Rugby chairman Sir Bill Beaumont insists the “stage is set” for an “unpredictable” World Cup in France with about 600,000 fans set to travel from abroad to experience the event.
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South Africa are the defending champions, but a lot has happened in the four years since their win over Eddie Jones’ England in a famous World Cup final in Yokohama.
International rugby has never been so competitive, and that stark reality spells worry, excitement and belief from fans around the world. Every win, loss and draw has been leading to this moment.
The 10th men’s Rugby World Cup is shaping up as a gladiatorial battle between hundreds of rugby warriors vying for their spot in folklore and history.
Rugby immortality is just over 50 days away for one of these 20 teams. The road to Webb Ellis Cup glory starts on Friday with an international blockbuster between tournament hosts France and traditional rivals New Zealand.
The World Cup will be spread across nine venues in France, with the tournament starting and finishing at the world-renowned venue Stade de France in Paris
Rugby World Cup 2023 is here. As Sir Bill Beaumont reflected, “Now it’s down to the teams to perform.”
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“It was 200 years ago that our sport was born. There could be no better place to celebrate our birthday than here in France,” Beaumont said at the Tournament Opening Conference on Monday.
“We know this nation will be a magnificent host, not just here in Paris but the length and breadth of a nation that loves major events and loves rugby.
Head-to-Head
Last 5 Meetings
Wins
2
Draws
0
Wins
3
Average Points scored
21
33
First try wins
40%
Home team wins
100%
“We believe the Rugby World Cup 2023 will be rugby’s ultimate celebration of togetherness. We’ve received incredible support from the highest office to the smallest villages; never has a nation been so ready and so excited to host.
“We have a record number of international fans. Some 600,000 fans will be coming to experience the best of rugby and the best of France.
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“We’ve seen incredible welcomes for the teams including 12,000 greeting Ireland in Tours.
“The stage is set, now it’s down to the teams to perform, and I think it’s fair to say that the action will be compelling, spectacular and unpredictable.
“It will be an event of firsts.
“We welcome Chile for the first time, the first we’ve welcomed three South American (nations) and Portugal making its first appearance since they last played here in France in 2007.
“We also believe that the Rugby World Cup to be built more than an exceptional event. We should protect our values, make an impactful value to society, and inspire new players and fans.
“I’d like to congratulate our friends at the organising committee, the FFR and government for their leading and impactful initiatives.
“I’m delighted to confirm the launch of our We Are Rugby promotion, showing the sports collective commitment as an inclusive, respectful tournament.”
There’s plenty of expectation and pressure hanging over the likes of Ireland, France, New Zealand and South Africa going into this World Cup, but every team will have their own pass mark and goal.
For some teams, including those just mentioned, World Cup glory is a non-negotiable – but for others, they may set their sights on finishing in the top three.
As the World Rugby chairman confirmed, the top three teams in each pool will automatically qualify for the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.
“We are also committed to continuing to work with our unions… to deliver a global calendar and a competitive structure,” Beaumont added.
“The stage is set. The teams are ready, France is ready. Let’s get this wonderful Rugby World Cup started.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Yes, Fiji can win the World Cup! With that belief plus their christian faith🙏 and hard work it is achievable. Great article. Ian Duncan Fiji resident 1981-84
2 Go to commentsInteresting comments about Touch. England’s hosting the Touch World Cup this year and the numbers have exploded since their last World Cup in 2019, something like 70% more teams and 40 nations taking part. And England Touch have made a big thing about how many universities are in their BUCS University Touch Championship as well as Sport England membership. Can only see this growing even more domestically as more people become aware of it
10 Go to comments“Cortez Ratima is light years ahead of anyone on current form, while TJ Perenara has also skyrocketed into contention following the unfortunate injury to the talented Cam Roigard.” At last some sanity. Hitherto so many pundits have been wittering on about Finlay Christie to the point one wondered if they were observing a FC in a parallel universe where the FC they saw wasnt just the mediocre Shayne Philpott project of Fosters hapless AB reign in the real world. Ratima, Perenara and Fakatava are the ONLY logical 9s for Razor now Roigard is crocked.
2 Go to commentsThis game was just as painful as the Hurricanes game. It was real fork-in-the-eye stuff.
2 Go to commentsNow if they could just fire the Crusaders ground PA guy who likes to play his dance music and just loves the sound of his own voice the entire game, even when play is going on. And I thought their brass band thing of a few years ago was bad.
5 Go to commentsUnfortunately when you lose by far the two form players this season in Roigard and Aumua, you're left replacing two game changing Tanks with a couple of pea-shooters. Which is also about the speed of TJs pass.
2 Go to commentsBit rich coming from the guy with zero loyalty to anyone or any team, including happily taking a players place in a league world cup squad because well, SBW wanted to play in it and thus an already named player got told he was no longer going. And airing stuff like this, which may or may not be true, doesn't exactly say you're a stand up guy either SBW. Just looking to keep his name in lights as usual.
38 Go to commentsTamati Tua. …the Taniwha NPC midfielder. Ollie Sapsford, Hawkes Bay NPC midfielder…doing well
2 Go to commentsFiji deserve to be in the rugby championship, fans love seeing the Fijian national team play, the Fijian Drua is a wonderful idea but the players can still be stolen to play for NZ and AUS…
2 Go to commentsThe first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to commentsWhy cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
5 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
34 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to comments