RWC 2023 Wrap: The good, bad, cringe, ugly and the funny

RWC 2023 Wrap: The good, bad, cringe, ugly and the funny: Image: Adobe Stock

France 2023 has come and gone with the Springboks becoming the most successful team in Rugby World Cup history. There was plenty to laugh, cry and rage about over a breathless seven weeks of rugby. Here look a few of the highs and lows from what was a memorable tournament.

The Good

The quality of rugby

I don’t think that there has ever been a better weekend of rugby than what we witnessed on the 14^th and 15^th of October. The lopsided pre-tournament draw meant that we were treated to what should have been our semi-finals a week early.

The All Blacks’ 28-24 win over Ireland was a pulsating fixture that was widely thought to have been the best World Cup game ever after in the hours after final whistle. It was a game that had just about everything, with New Zealand seeing off a 37-phase attack to cling on for the win.

Little did we know that 24 hours later we’d be treated to what many have called the best rugby game ever played. The Springboks had no right to win the encounter against a French side playing rugby from the gods, but doggedly clung on and capitalised on almost every single entry into France’s 22 – whether through the boot of Manie Libbok and Handre Pollard or through tries from Kurt-Lee Arendse and Cheslin Kolbe. They’d book their semi-final spot with a 29-28 win after Faf de Klerk’s ripped the ball from a rampaging Reda Wardi to bring the contest to a close

That’s without even mentioning the thrill-a-minute encounters in the other two quarter-finals which were both in the balance heading into the final few minutes. We also saw some champagne stuff from the likes of Portugal and Fiji while individual performances like big Ben Tameifuna’s shift against the Boks for Tonga will long live in the memory.

The Bad

World Rugby’s Blanket Ban on Video Content

World Rugby’s blanket ban on any independent content creators using clips from the competition baffled social media throughout the World Cup. These copyright strikes affected analytical videos and effectively meant that there was a rich media Twitter/TikTok/Facebook blackout during the World Cup.

During a time when so many young people turn to social media for their content, why on earth would you want to enforce what effectively amounts to a content blackout? You can understand minutes-long clips. But to copyright strike any and all match footage (even a couple of second’s worth) is unbelievably short-sighted from the dinosaurs that run the game.

The Cringe

Matt Williams’ Ice-Cold Takes

There was a lot of excellent analysis and punditry during the World Cup both on social media and on television. Ex-pros and independent analysts alike dissected matches, refereeing decisions shed light on the intricacies of game for new or casual viewers.

There are, however, two sides to every coin. And the other side of the punditry coin featured some absolute drivel, most notably from Virgin Media’s Matt Williams. The former Scotland coach, who managed a whopping three wins in 17 Tests, was almost comedically hyper-critical of the Springboks throughout the World Cup.

Hi tirade following the Boks’ win over England went viral. In the clip he insinuates that World Rugby should relook at awarding long-arm penalties from scrum infringements.

This not-so-hot take was largely slammed online. The scrum is a fundamental part of Rugby Union, and the implementation of Matt’s ideas is just the first step toward the laughable uncontested scrums we see in Rugby League.

Earlier in the tournament, he also went in on Jacques Nienaber’s decision to opt for a 7-1 split against Ireland in their Pool B clash, even childishly tweeting “7-1 and a crooked throw in…..Rugby Karma.” Needless to say, the Boks had the last laugh.

The Ugly

Referees cop ugly abuse

Being a professional referee in the modern era is a thankless task. Pundits and fans alike go in on referees like it’s nobody’s business. True, there are times where criticism is merited. However, the laws of Rugby Union often require subjective interpretation.

The abuse directed towards officials appears to have gone through the roof during this World Cup cycle. Think back to Rassie Erasmus’ infamous 62-minute video which highlighted 26 instances of Nic Berry’s performance in the first British & Irish Lions Test in 2021. It’s been open season since then with fans, pundits, coaches and players alike all piling in whenever they feel decisions have gone against their side.

There’s always been some degree of discontent around refereeing, but I can’t remember it ever being as bad as it is now.

The Downright Hilarious

Eddie Jones’ Ad Campaign

Eddie Jones’ and Australia endured a disastrous Rugby World Cup campaign, failing to get out of the Pool stage for the first time in their history. This in itself isn’t funny. Rugby Union in Australia is competing for eyeballs and talent against more popular oval-ball codes like Rugby League’s NRL and Aussie Rules’ AFL and the long-term survival of Union in Australia requires a competitive Wallabies outfit.

Jones isn’t the most popular chap in the rugby world. His coaching methods have been called antiquated, allegations of toxicity under his leadership are rife and the pig-headed decision to leave stalwarts like Quade Cooper and Michael Hooper out of the RWC squad drew ire from both inside and outside of Australia.

Indeed, there were reports that he had already accepted an offer from Japan while at the World Cup with the Wallabies. When pressed about his future following Australia’s exit from the World Cup, he reaffirmed his commitment to the Australia but resigned shortly after. He’s since come out and used language like “definitely interested” when speaking about a return to the Brave Blossoms. This after using language like “I’m staying” just three weeks ago when still in charge of the Australia. I can’t imagine the Japanese players are too keen on his return, either.

Prior to the World Cup, expectations for the Wallabies were pretty low. Since the 2022 end-of-year-internationals they’ve only won three times in 13 Tests and copped some big defeats along the way. The 43-12 Rugby Championship hammering at Loftus against the Boks, a home defeat against Argentina and the scandalously poor showing in their 40-6 World Cup defeat at the hands of Wales are some particular low points.

Back to the ad campaign that that was launched a few months prior to the competition. It featured two videos that have aged like unpasteurised milk. Check them out below:

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