The Rugby World Cup kicks off on Friday and we can’t wait.
We’re looking forward to bringing you all the latest news over six weeks of pure, egg-shaped nonsense.
But in case you’re not as excited as we are, here are JOE’s 25 reasons to look forward to the Rugby World Cup.
25. It’s in the UK
It’s hard not to be excited for a World Cup when it’s happening in your own back yard. And the games aren’t just in London, they’re also taking place in 10 other cities in England and Wales (sorry, Scotland and Northern Ireland).
That means rugby fever across the nation – although we should point out that we’re annoyed the organisers decided not to host a game in Rugby, Warwickshire. I mean, come on.
24. Try time
The World Cup has given us some of the greatest tries in the history of the game. While the Six Nations and the Rugby Championship can boast their fair share of top tries, the mashing together of different styles makes the World Cup the perfect breeding ground for the ridiculous.
When there’s a world title on the line, players will try some pretty crazy things in order to win the crown.
23. Seven solid weeks of rugby
The World Cup is the only time when you can enjoy back-to-back, high quality rugby matches for seven weekends in a row – as well as a host of midweek games. Sure the Six Nations is great, but the off-weeks during the tournament can strangle the momentum.
During the pool stages, you’ll be treated to around ten games a week. Although there will be some games like Namibia v Georgia, you’ll also get to see Ireland take on France as well as pretty much any game in Pool A.
22. Nigel Owens
While it may seem strange to be excited about a referee, Nigel Owens is undoubtedly the best in the world right now. Assuming that Wales don’t make the final, they will still have a representative there in the form of Owens.
His presence will be felt in every game he officiates, and he is probably the only international ref who truly encourages a free-flowing game.
But that’s not the only entertaining thing about a game with Owens in charge…
21. The George Ford/Owen Farrell dilemma
Stuart Lancaster goes into the tournament with a real selection headache — who should be England’s starting outhalf?
Luckily for Lancaster, he has two solid choices: Owen Farrell — a 23-year-old who is currently coached by his former rugby league star father – or George Ford — a 22-year-old who is currently coached by his father who is a former rugby league star.
Still, Lancaster is leaving it very late to decide the most important position in his team.
20. Jesse Kriel
South Africa are a team that always seem to come alive for a World Cup. Regardless of their form going into the tournament, the Springboks seem to always rise to the occasion.
To do that this year, they’ll need young players like Jesse Kriel to stand up and announce themselves to the world. Kriel scored a try against both Australia and New Zealand as an outside centre in this year’s Rugby Championship and the 21-year-old looks to be a star of the future.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKCseJwe8C0
19. The pool of death
In every major tournament, there is the obligatory “group of death”. Quite often this can feel quite forced, but Pool A in this year’s World Cup boasts three major rugby nations in the shape of England, Wales and Australia.
But Pool A also includes neutral-favourite Fiji, who knocked Wales out of the 2007 World Cup.
Poor old Uruguay will have to be happy just to be taking part.
18. The French
If you think you know what to expect from the French team at this World Cup then you are a liar or a fool. France went into the 2011 World Cup in horrific form, which carried over into the tournament itself — they even suffered an embarrassing loss to Tonga in the group stages.
Still, they somehow fell arse-backwards into the final and were a few inches away from winning the whole thing on New Zealand soil. Now they’ll be hoping they can finally clear that last hurdle, having lost all three previous final appearances.
And we all remember what happened last time there was a World Cup in England…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yw-9ZMfwiIc
17. Hooper v Pocock
England may have the George Ford v Owen Farrell debate, but the Australians have selection decision to make that is equally as intriguing and could have just as big an outcome on their chances of winning the tournament.
The Wallabies are blessed with two truly world-class openside flankers in the ranks, leaving Michael Cheika in the enviable position of having to choose which one of David Pocock or Michael Hooper will be his top man.
But if Australia’s 27-19 victory over New Zealand on the final day of this year’s Rugby Championship is anything to go by, Cheika might end up picking both.
16. Jonathan Joseph
After a stellar Six Nations in which he scored three tries in the opening two matches, Jonathan Joseph will be hoping he can push on and leave his mark on the World Cup.
The 24-year-old won England’s Player of the Season award for his outstanding contribution to the national side as well as his club Bath. If England are to stand any chance at winning their second World Cup, they need Joseph to be on top form.
15. Aussie rules
The Wallabies always seem to time their form to peak at the World Cup, and it looks like it’s happening again. Michael Cheika has done great work to turn around the fortunes of the side since taking over last year, and they are only getting stronger.
When the Aussies are on form, they are a joy to watch. And while English and Welsh fans might not agree, neutrals will be hoping to see an all-out Australian attack.
14. Big hits
Rugby is a beautiful sport showcasing some of the greatest athletes in the world. But let’s be honest, one of the biggest draws the sport has are the massive collisions between two (or sometimes more) giant people.
We’re not saying we want anybody to get hurt, but there’s something very satisfying about seeing your favourite player make big tackle at an important time in the game.
13. Super subs
All those big hits mean that injuries are inevitably going to happen. Every big team in the tournament is likely to suffer a major injury and have to rely on a second-stringer to come in and make a name for themselves.
With such a bruising schedule for all the teams involved, strength in depth will be key. And with more and more coaches treating the team as the full 23 instead of just the starting 15, the backups could be deciding some important matches.
12. Israel Folau
Australia have a whole host of weapons at their disposal this year, but no one is more exciting to watch than fullback Israel Folau. The former ruby league star is a man of many talents, having briefly plied his trade in Aussie Rules before joining the Waratahs in 2012.
Folau has an incredible record of 18 tries in 33 test matches for the Wallabies and will surely play a leading role.
11. Richie McCaw
Everybody in world rugby knows who Richie McCaw is. The New Zealander will be playing in his fourth World Cup, having led the All Blacks to glory on home soil in 2011.
But at 34-years-old, this is probably the last time we will see him at the World Cup. So while you may hate him, do appreciate that you are watching the greatest openside flanker of all time before he finally hangs up his boots.
10. Argentinian progress
Argentina shocked the rugby world when they bullied their way to a semi-final in the 2007 World Cup before losing to eventual winners South Africa. Since then, they have failed to fully push on but their inclusion in the Rugby Championship should help the team.
Earlier this year they recorded their first ever win over the Springboks and look to be building up some momentum for the tournament. They’ll get an early chance to test themselves against New Zealand and should earn a quarter-final spot at the expense of Tonga.
9. North v South
Traditionally speaking, northern hemisphere teams have struggled when they are forced to go down south compared to when they stay at home. For whatever reason, results always seem a lot closer in Europe.
And while England did win the northern hemisphere’s only World Cup down in Australia, the fact remains that hosting the tournament in Europe gives the European teams a much better shot at winning it.
8. Robbie Henshaw
Irish fans have been hyping up Robbie Henshaw for some time now, and English fans saw exactly what he could do at the Aviva Stadium back in March.
Henshaw has huge boots to fill with the departure of Brian O’Driscoll, but everything so far indicates that the Connacht centre is up to the task. With Ireland harbouring hopes of lifting their first ever Webb-Ellis trophy, the pressure on Henshaw has never been greater.
7. The kits
Nothing gets us through the long off-season quite like the release of a new kit. So if we weren’t already excited for the World Cup, we get the added bonus of each country sporting a special World Cup edition of their shirts.
And while England and New Zealand’s are not going to shock anyone, we’re always excited to see what the likes of Fiji and Argentina come up with.
6. The Fijians
Who doesn’t love Fiji? Even the heartless All Blacks love Fiji — although they probably take that love a bit too far by poaching all of the best the Pacific Islanders have to offer.
They may be stuck in the hardest group in the competition, but they have more strength than in previous competitions and could even cause an upset or two.
5. Knockout rugby
The only thing better than rugby is knockout rugby. While the pool stages will involve some minnow-smashing, the knockout rounds will be far less forgiving.
By the time we reach the semi-finals, we’ll have four of the best teams in the world battling it out and you can be sure they’ll leave nothing on the line.
4. The minnows
We all pretend that we don’t enjoy them, but it’s okay to admit it. You love having the minnows at the World Cup. Even though you know they’re a class below, it’s great fun seeing your team run up the score.
When your team’s third-choice winger runs over for his third try, you’ll let yourself believe for just a second that your team can win the whole thing. That is, of course, so long as the minnows don’t actually turn up and make a game of it…
3. New Zealand’s inevitable collapse
New Zealand have never won a World Cup outside of their own country. And while they may be the defending champions and the highest ranked side in the world, that little bit if doubt remains.
It will be interesting to see how the All Blacks cope with the pressure. Expectations will be sky-high and it will be a complete failure for the side if they fail to retain the William Webb-Ellis trophy.
2. The unpredictable
Every World Cup throws up something incredible and unexpected that you can never prepare for. Jonny Wilkinson’s extra-time drop goal to win in 2003, France beating New Zealand in 1999 and 2007, Ireland pushing Australia to the limit in 1991.
While we don’t expect Namibia to upset the All Blacks, there are sure to be moments that live long in the memory once the World Cup is over.
1. It’s the goddamn World Cup
Look, if you’re a rugby fan who can’t get excited about the World Cup, then we don’t know what to tell you. You’re probably dead inside.
They only come around every four years, so savour this one while it last. Because it’ll be a lot harder to get to Japan in 2019 than to Twickenham for this one.
