RWC to be expanded to 24 teams

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

So 4 more teams than the last RWC



Great move I'm hoping it can push the likes of Brazil, Netherlands, Korea, Zimbabwe to really challenge some of the spots also

Saw that it will only be games of 3 now in the group stage which is another good move imo helps keep things fairer

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

One soded fixtures will be a complaint but this means we won't have seeding or scheduling issues which have been a bigger scourge on the comp imo.

 

[mikebrownsauce1512]

Ro16 will be cool.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

I hate the round of 16. What's the point in the pools when you lose so few teams.

 

[mikebrownsauce1512]

I hate the round of 16. What's the point in the pools when you lose so few teams.

oooo sorry

 

[The Seeker]

So 4 more teams than the last RWC

Great move I'm hoping it can push the likes of Brazil, Netherlands, Korea, Zimbabwe to really challenge some of the spots also

Saw that it will only be games of 3 now in the group stage which is another good move imo helps keep things fairer

That's great. Kudos RWC.

 

[mdaclarke]

I would prefer 3 European Teams in exchange for 1 extra African/South American Team.

Also I would prefer 4 groups of 6 and then straight to the quarter finals.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Laudable etc but the last thing the comp needs is more thrashings. Going that far down you've also probably got some proper player welfare issues of pros v semi pros / amateurs etc.

Game's just not really widespread enough to expand the main comp with any credibility. The drop off's huge.

To retain quality but yet incentivise I'd actually reduce it to 16 (4 pools of 4) and then perhaps have a secondary comp running alongside - maybe 2 pools of 4 or 6 depending on what the strength in depth is really like. I think there'd be more kudos and long term benefit from being in the mix for that than taking a kicking from Scotland's second string. Finalists to be guaranteed a RWC slot next time provided their world ranking's over a certain level.

 

[Bada-Bing!]

I've always argued for a plate and vase competitions within the RWC for 3-5 placed teams.

 

[OldSchoolRugga]

More cricket scores. Lovely.

 

[spursindevon]

I don't really think World Rugby is doing a lot to get some of the smaller countries some game time against the bigger teams - rinse & repeat

 

[lagoerson]

Make a round of 16 so ireland can lose earlier to wales/argentina so they don't have to suffer so long

 

[djwizard84]

Expecting the unexpected, but not for RWC27. Even if this edition is the expanding edition, nothing new will happen as most unions have the same old base. Let's hope that for RWC31 everything change and T2s & T3s enjoy a bit of tests with higher Ts.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Make a round of 16 so ireland can lose earlier to wales/argentina so they don't have to suffer so long

Optimistic to think Wales will make it that far.

 

[penaltytry]

I think it is a good idea. A New Zealand vs Portugal in group stage is not attractive for the neutral viewer, but sure it is if the match is a Round of 16 match.

Therefore it is a good change, also more opportunities for the weak teams.

 

[Weldit]

And so, the quest for more money under the guise of competition continues.

 

[McTallshort]

I think it is a good idea. A New Zealand vs Portugal in group stage is not attractive for the neutral viewer, but sure it is if the match is a Round of 16 match.

Therefore it is a good change, also more opportunities for the weak teams.

It was pretty good last time they played in a group game