To the delight of their enthusiastic fans, all the men’s (Rugby World Cup) RWC2023 World Cup squads are expected to be announced over the next month. Revealed to the world – and their opponents – as well as to establish that nation’s game plan.
Every one of them is fully emersed currently in their individual training schedules or, in the case of some Southern Hemisphere sides, competing in The Rugby Championship (TRC).
In the northern summer calendar, hot weather training seemed to be the norm across the continent and in North America. And the wait is almost over, as assembled squads ready themselves for the Summer Series of International ‘friendlies’.
While the more physical, front-on competition build-up like the TRC might bring more profitable results toward the zenith of all championships, not all would agree. Might the more stringent, considered schedule work better? It may or may not. Given time, training inevitably requires opposition – thus the late summer Test matches in the Northern Hemisphere which will start officially on July 29.
Two comparative, yet substantially different pathways. If not solely arranged by a World Rugby calendar, but also an equally balanced alignment of all RWC2023 World Cup squads’ targets. No matter the timezone or expectation, the goal is the same. The Webb Ellis Trophy.
Targets like the above trophy are great objectives. Rewards for a whole group’s input, a collaboration of the playing XV that includes an amount of rotation and the incluson of playing reserves [injury cover too]. Warm-up games can often result in unnecessary injuries. A risk and reward, as combinations and game readiness, is heightened. All the ingredients needed that go with a vision of winning any World Cup [be it union, league or football]. A view that even independent nations believe in. Namibia, Chile (see main image), Romania, and sides on the opposite ends of the World; like Japan or Samoa. They must believe they can compete against teams they might play on few occasions.
Despite an early red card from Japan, Samoa get the win to start their warm-up to the World Cup underway 🔥 #rugby #JPNvSAM pic.twitter.com/AGl67HpCIp
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) July 22, 2023
Expectations in the month when most qualified men’s RWC2023 World Cup squads are to be revealed coincided with an announcement from leading nations made for a distraction that will influence future International calendars; the timing is also reflected when you consider that the majority of nations will put a men’s RWC ahead of highlighting inter-regional matches to support the growth of the sport. A conundrum for some, though not as drastic as others will broadcast. The Nations Cup is set to begin in 2026, so until then the focus is ‘on the here and now’.
And in the near future, the Men’s RWC2023 World Cup squads can establish their nation’s game plan.
Men’s RWC2023 World Cup squads establish Nation’s Game Plan
Expectations can take you so far. Some expect to win their regional fixtures, derby games, and in long-established rivalries. Yet surprises do occur. ‘Remember Bristol?’ is what many Springbok fans hear constantly. A result like Western Samoa defeating Wales in 1991, where expectations never aligned with how one motivated side can rise to the occasion. Confidence can take teams far, and in 2023 there is every chance of that happening once again.
Preparations and good planning help, after many nations assembled early to gain favourable time to train and ready themselves. Yet don’t expect all leading nations to be odds on winners. Warm-up game’s results are not a genuine form guide. Take them with a grain of salt – and in the case of the Johnny Sexton suspension, he might well not consider the outcomes as only influencing the Irish side’s match fitness. Even the invited All Blacks v Springboks clash at Twickenham could be a ‘damp squid’ result. Sharing nothing of either team’s probable strengths.
Weaknesses may be noted naturally, though all nation’s game plans will change dramatically when pool play begins in late September.
Chasing victory. Coaches on a Mission! 🏆#RWC2023 pic.twitter.com/Ll9LmAWLO0
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) July 26, 2023
World Rugby will promote the lead-up to this World Cup as being pivotal to success. Yet some nation’s game plans lay undeclared until the ‘real competition’ begins. Not taking games too lightly, but if England find they have only won a single or a limited number of games, head coach Steve Borthwick might look at the results as ‘development’. Not as an excuse, many will agree that Northern Hemisphere sides have to reignite the match readiness, which is a key indicator of how sides on the opposite side of the draw to current holders South Africa, and top-ranked Ireland and France.
Yet even while Sir Bill Beaumont agrees future RWC seedings “must be reviewed after 2023” it is what is in front of teams that matters. All the planning will have taken place ahead of the three pool games in September. England v Argentina will be a key match-up. As will Wales v Fiji. Perform from the outset, and your squad announcements will be proven as key stages in every nation’s game plans toward the knockout stages.
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Editorial note: SANZAAR throws obstacles at Tier Two feet
Many of the top 24 teams in world rugby are present in France. All with a degree of claim to the major prize. And the most likely victors include participants in the two premier competitions; SANZAAR and the Six Nations. From that group, the press release from SANZAAR sets in motion the anticipated Tier One quasi ‘World Championship series’.
The Nations Cup is intended to include 12 senior sides in a bi-annual tournament before a ‘winner takes all finale’. Endorsed by World Rugby, the crossover between SANZAAR and Six Nations’ sides will schedule the leading nations on a more regular one-off Test basis, with the calendar to be introduced in 2026.
2026 is seen as a narrowing point for SANZAAR, as the broadcast rights mature. Not that South Africa is departing the group – in fact, this supports the current alignment; fending off constant insinuation from media and pundits that the Springboks might lead to a Seven, or possibly Eight Nations Cup. It hasn’t, and the news could all but subdue Georgian Rugby, and many other top 16 countries who wished to also ‘play at the top table’.
There is a clear point that Tier Two nations are not proposed to be eligible for any entry into this ‘leading nations cup’ until 2030. Promotion and relegation. So is that ignominy a reflection on the quality of Samoa? Of Uruguay? On the sides including Fiji and Japan – who are favoured to complement the SANZAAR/Six nations sides. Yet it is still an exclusive club. Not one that pure form or results appear to have changed [at this time].
This is just another obstacle for nations to ‘sidestep’. Some will become distressed, and call for a fairer pathway. Yet in the end, if you perform at one Rugby World Cup, it does not change the hierarchy of the sport. Japan has made great strides in joining this echelon, yet so has Georgia. They quite rightly will feel like the path to the top has obstacles that any expectation will never rectify.
“Main photo courtesy of Rugby World Cup 2023 twitter”
