Boks have 2 week break?!!!! before quarters

So we only need to beat Tonga with a bonus point to secure our play-off spot, but that is if Scotland doesn't beat Ireland and throw the door wide open. 

As things stand and the way the comp has been structured. The Boks won't play next weekend, but only the weekend there after. So they can actually give polly a full run as he will have a two break before the quarters. 

But it is really strange that the World Cup is so drawn out. What happened to the mid week games. That is why they pick these minnow teams. Just for the tier one teams to field their tackle bag carriers and help them to shake off some rust. 

I still think this World Cup needs to change. The gap between a professional team or team in the top 6 and teams ranked from 10 onwards is massive. I honestly believe that there are only 12 tier one teams. In this tier there are maybe 4 teams that are real contenders. However, Wales have come to the party and so has England. 

I would far rather watch 12 teams split into 2 two pools duke it out. At least every game would be a contest. 

But if you get rid of all the other teams then that means that there won't be enough tickets going around or smaller towns having the honour to host a World Cup game. 

We shouldn't let money dictate the sport. 

Rugby has gone professional, but unlike football, where a team ranked 100 can draw with a team ranked 1st. Rugby isn't the same. Countries that want to compete at the top need to have a decent professional league at home. Where players constantly play at a high level. Unfortunately Uruguay or Chile don't have professional teams. 

We really need to revisit and almost state if you don't have a professional league, then you don't get to compete in the World Cup. Simple as that. 

12 teams in two pools wouldn't be much different overall. Too many games as well. Pool stage would be too drawn out. 

If Scotland beats Ireland by more than seven points in a low scoring game it'll be the Irish flying home.We should get bonus point against Tonga/.
If all level on 15 point then prob Scotland will fly home.

Interesting and very possible but the down side is that the Irish will have a full 2 weeks break and no games this weekend. So they will be fresh and most likely to beat Scotland. 

Scotland will have to play out of their skins to bank the points 

We haven't seen the best of the Scots. They had a great chance against us, but unlike the Irish, they fell into the spoiling tactics of the Boks and didn't have the rhythm they usually have. They most certainly can defeat Ireland, and are due a good showing. I am earmarking this game for an upset. Both sides like to play more compatible styles. 

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After Ireland’s narrow victory over South Africa on Saturday and the Scots’ bonus-point 45-17 win over Tonga on Sunday, the picture has become slightly clearer for everyone in a lop-sided section containing three of the top five teams in the world rankings.

From Scotland’s perspective, they now know they will have to get a bonus-point win over Romania in Lille on Saturday and then ensure they defeat Ireland in Paris the following weekend with a bonus point or win by more than seven points to deny the Irish a losing bonus.

Ja, but I would have preferred if the Irish played this weekend against Scotland after a heavy match the week before