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Eddie Jones: ‘This could be the World Cup that no one will ever forget’
With less than two weeks to go until the upcoming Rugby World Cup, Stade de France hosted an enthralling battle between Les Bleus and Australia on Sunday.
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The players came to play, and so did the fans.
Thousands filled the stands at the world-famous rugby venue, and they were in full voice for the entire 80 minutes – and half-time, as well. That unbelievable atmosphere set the stage for “the World Cup that no one will ever forget”
Earlier that weekend, Fiji made history on the field as they recorded their first-ever win over England in seven meetings. The Flying Fijians celebrated accordingly, and so did their fans in attendance at Twickenham.
Fiji surged up two places to seventh on the World Rugby rankings, while Steve Borthwick’s England have fallen to eighth place. That result, along with some other surprises, shows how unpredictable Test rugby is ahead of next month’s World Cup.
Samoa were beating Ireland at half-time, South Africa dominated the previously undefeated 2023 All Blacks, and France put on a show against an improving Wallabies outfit.
“It’s really good to see… a country like Fiji go to Twickenham, beat England. It’s great for the competition, great for Fijian rugby,” coach Eddie Jones told reporters after the Wallabies’ 41-17 loss to Les Bleus.
“You come to this game today, which for both teams is a game to get ready for the World Cup. You’ve got 80,000 people, you’ve got a fantastic atmosphere, this could be the World Cup that no one will ever forget.
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“Then you’ve got Fiji causing an upset over England at Twickenham which adds even more flavour to the competition. Samoa runs Ireland close.
“It’s great for World Rugby, great for Fiji, and I’m sure they get a lot of confidence out of it and great for the tournament mate.”
England struck first via the boot of playmaker George Ford, and added another five points to their tally a few minutes later with Jonny May crossing for a try.
For a team under pressure, it was an idyllic start in front of their home fans at the home of English Rugby.
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But tries to Waisea Nayacalevu, Vinaya Habosi and Simione Kuruvoli saw Fiji run away with it in the end. They led 8-20 with just over 20 minutes to play, and held on for a historic win.
“What a game, what a result beating England at Twickenham, and really a full-strength England as well,” New Zealand broadcaster James McOnie said on Weekend Sport with Jason Pine.
“Obviously Owen Farrell (and Billy) Vunipola in the stands but wow, what a result.
“If you go back throughout history, yes Fiji have had some really great World Cup results, but even looking at Samoa going close to beating Ireland, this is the closest that the tier two nations have got since Western Samoa, as they were called, shocked the world in 1991.
“This is incredible just seeing those nations, and who knows what Tonga can do as well.”
Comments on RugbyPass
I guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
41 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
2 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
41 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
42 Go to commentsWho listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
42 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
42 Go to commentsI’ve actually never heard of the guy (then I don’t watch League as it is boring). But if he is good enough.. then good luck to him. If not, well, he can always return to league.
2 Go to commentsIt is pretty clear that by almost any measure that NZ are a more successful rugby nation than South Africa. Quite aside from the distasteful events during the last RWC final. NZ lead SA in all significant measurements.
41 Go to commentsDickson went to his pocket for a card, saw who it was, changed his mind and spoke at length to TMO. One angle clearly shows Care diving over a Saints player to kill the ball. 1st yellow, reason given for not Red was player was falling backwards. He was only falling backwards after contact with Lawes. Graham try should have stood. Mitchell did not have both hands on the ball, ball went forward from a Saints boot dragging over it. 2 intentional knock-on's. One of which had an overlap on the outside. If Quins are happy to win by intentional foul play, then it does not say much for them. Would appear to be a bad day for Karl Dickson, also for the RFU in appointing a Ref who spent 8 years as a player at one of the clubs.
2 Go to commentsLet’s not forget about Ardie Savea just yet.
4 Go to commentsThe URC and the Euro Championscup can’t run at the same time, basically dilutes both competitions.
1 Go to comments“While Sotutu should start at No.8 for the All Blacks against England, but it’s only in that arena that he can prove just how good he really is.” And that my friends is where simply hasnt shone despite multiple opportunities. Even in this performance you can see what did him in in the test arena..he almost always still runs at the opposition almost ramrod upright making him easier to stop than it should be.
4 Go to commentsShould have been 0-0 and a message from SR CEO to both teams - “don’t worry about turning up next year”.
4 Go to commentsGreat work Owen Franks. A great of this team, scoring his first try for the Crusaders since 2010.He was beaming, justifiably. A fine win, he and the rest did the job up front.
1 Go to commentsDanny Care. Lang in die tand.
1 Go to commentsBig empty stadium does nothing for atmosphere but munster are playing well with solid performance
1 Go to commentsYes, 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.
4 Go to commentsThis game was just as painful as the Hurricanes game. It was real fork-in-the-eye stuff.
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