[editor’s comments below]
I’d like to hear readers thoughts on the World Cup to date also your predictions.
Below are my thoughts, plus the latest World Rugby media release is posted below.
Kickoff noon PT on Friday September 8th, televised on TSN 5.
New Zealand
Fly-half Richie Mo’unga will win his 50th cap after being named in the New Zealand team to face France in the opening game of Rugby World Cup 2023 at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis on Friday.
World Rugby finally released its new format for the 2023-24 7s Series with 8 tournaments world wide with 12 men’s and 12 women’s teams competing at each tournament… and, yes, Vancouver made the list. Who didn’t make the list, England, France, NZ.
from World Rugby
After six days of exciting competition in Stellenbosch, South Africa, the World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series 2023 came to a climax at Markötter Stadium on Sunday afternoon with South Africa women and Tonga men being crowned overall tournament champions.
World Rugby has announced what they call “law application guidelines” for January 2023. These aren’t new laws but guidelines for officials to implement existing laws.
from Canadian Press – Neil Davidson
Canadians Sophie de Goede and Emily Tuttosi have been named to World Rugby’s Women’s 15s Dream Team of the Year.
Canadian rugby fans have been waiting to find out who the men’s XVs team will be playing this fall in the traditional Autumn Internationals. We already know a Canada ‘A’ team will be travelling to Brazil to play a Chile XV and a Brazil XV in Brazil on the 21st and 26th of October. We found that out through the Brazil Rugby Union. There were rumours of a match vs Netherlands in November and perhaps Namibia who are also in Europe but those matches haven’t shown up on the match official assignments from World Rugby, meaning they’re not happening, they’re not full tests, or they’re not fully resolved yet. Take your pick.
Japan, Wales and Canada can breath a little easier this summer as there will be no relegation of core teams this season. Previously there were to be two teams relegated in the men’s competition, Japan looked a certainty for relegation at 26 points, Wales were next in line at 31 points while Canada looked on nervously at 34 points. It was all coming down to the LA tournament in August to solve the puzzle. The drama has vanished as Wales has merged with Scotland and England to become team Great Britain for next season. There will be no relegation this season and Canada are confirmed as a core team for next season.
from World Rugby
World Rugby reiterates its condemnation of Russias aggressive invasion of Ukraine and the facilitation of this action by Belarus. The global rugby family is united in standing in solidarity with everyone affected by these deeply disturbing events and joins the global community in calling for the restoration of peace.
There’s talk of an international U20 tournament to be held this summer in Ontario to coincide with the national U19 championship. It would involve Tier 2 teams like Canada, with perhaps Portugal, USA, Chile involved. Details when they become available.