Bronze finals for the pools?

[jomjom]

Or some sort of play off. Saw this in an article today, what do you think?

"To conclude, such was the carnival atmosphere in the early games this week that it does seem a shame to just send the weaker nations home when their involvement in the pool stages ends.

I think it would be hugely beneficial for the competition if the third- and fourth-placed teams in the pool stages had a plate competition out of the eight teams left - quarters, semis and final and also a bowl competition for the weakest teams - Uruguay, Namibia, Canada, South Africa . . ."

http://www.independent.ie/sport/rug...using-note-of-caution-for-irish-31553972.html (horrible news site by the way, I just read the rugby articles...)

I think it would be nice. I really like seeing all the Tier 2 teams play, it's a shame this is the only place they get to compete outside of their region in the world...

 

[justanargie]

and also a bowl competition for the weakest teams - Uruguay, Namibia, Canada, South Africa . . ."

Come on... that was unnecessary...

 

[YoungScud]

Actually I don't think it's a terrible idea. The South Africa reference was funny though.

 

[psychic duck]

I think it would be nice. I really like seeing all the Tier 2 teams play, it's a shame this is the only place they get to compete outside of their region in the world...

It's not the only time they compete outside their region. It's the only time they get more than a one off Tier 1 test. But they play each other every year just it gets little notice.

 

[jomjom]

My bad. Still, wouldnt hurt for them to have a little extra, Im sure theyre more than willing to play some more! Must suck a little bit having to go home early and watch the big boys duke it out, but hey, guess someones gotta do it*

*Yes, I know, exactly like Ireland in 2007

 

[Cruz_del_Sur]

I like it! You could start off with just the third places, see how the people react and then adjust accordingly. Having empty stadiums would beat the purpose i suppose.

 

[Bada-Bing!]

Come on... that was unnecessary...

Actually that made me laugh. Proper Tongue in cheek of course

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

I suggested this 4 years ago and people liked the idea. Have a Cup-Plate-Bowl system as they have in 7s tournaments. It gives the smaller teams more exposure, they play till the end of the World Cup and financially it should be very appealing.

 

[HaydnH]

I suggested this 4 years ago and people liked the idea. Have a Cup-Plate-Bowl system as they have in 7s tournaments. It gives the smaller teams more exposure, they play till the end of the World Cup and financially it should be very appealing.

Out of curiosity, would you extend the groups to 6 teams to cater for the bowl? Or have a cup/plate of 8 each and a bowl of 4?

 

[Canadian_Rugger]

It's not a good idea for a variety of reasons. Many of the nations players are one injury away from losing their professional contracts and taking them away from their clubs for a meaningless bowl competition would just be stupid.

Clubs wouldn't sign our players anymore if they knew they would be gone for half the season.

Also, I and others from smaller rugby nations find the term minnow offensive. There is plenty of Rugby played outside the Six Nations and RC teams, people just need to open their eyes up and watch it.

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

Out of curiosity, would you extend the groups to 6 teams to cater for the bowl? Or have a cup/plate of 8 each and a bowl of 4?

Well, there are 12 teams eliminated after the group stage in the current format. There are several ways the Plate and Bowl format can happen, but extending the World Cup to 6 groups of 4 teams (like the FIFA World Cup between 1982 and 1994) might be an option.

 

[Lé Ddanno]

Also, I and others from smaller rugby nations find the term minnow offensive. There is plenty of Rugby played outside the Six Nations and RC teams, people just need to open their eyes up and watch it.

Show me the channel and I will watch.