Predicting the WINNER of Rugby World Cup 2023 | The Rugby Pod 

As an Irish man listening to Goode hyping up Ireland I love to hear it.

Something everyone seems to forget is that South Africa have taken two A teams to the world cup, and they put five past the ABs.

The Springbok management team have been building and working towards this World Cup. 2019 wasn’t part of the plan. They were always targeting 2023 as the one they wanted to win. Having said that, our side of the draw means in order for us to win it, we will have to do it the hard way. I think if we get through the QFs we will go onto win it. Ironically the players and staff are labeling Scotland as their biggest game and rightly so. The way I see it - we need to win 5 big games. Scotland, Ireland and the three knock out games. The thing that counts in our favor is that our style of play is tailored made for knockout games. Add the fact that we are a well settled team and we know how to handle big moments in world cups. I also think our scheduling is more favorable than Ireland and that’s the only reason why I don’t see them going all the way. The opening hame between France and New Zealand will be very telling and will tell us a lot about their chances of winning the tournament.

Good man Goodie! Its unbelievable that there are so few pundits putting Ireland even out of the group. Yes we havent performed in World cups before but this team is fathoms beyond the quality and depth of teams gone by....Lets go Ireland!!

I think SA will win. They've still got the best pack, and their attack is much better than it was even a year ago.

ANDY GOODE! 🇮🇪 you’re welcome for a pint anytime in Dublin. We’ll look after you! Only pundit not writing us off. 🇮🇪 ☘️

Can you imagine being behind Jim in the queue as he's trying to decide what pint to order?

Can’t see beyond SA but they are in one hell of a pool which may take a lot out of them. Heart wants France as England will get nowhere. AB’s rarely underperform in a RWC but SA are brutally strong.

As a Springbok fan, i can assure you, Scotland are not being underestimated - certainly not by the fans. They have played brilliantly rugby and they could easily shock us. i hope not, but i have been really impressed with them.

South Africa were also the first team to win the Rugby Championship/Tri Nations and World Cup in the same year.

Good man Goody! The way AF talks about being excited to play the biggest teams - with honest belief that testing yourself against the best, being the only way to measure yourself against the best, is exactly the psych of the Irish! AF doesn't give a crap for who they play, in fact I believe he would prefer to play the bigger teams and he believes we can beat anyone, anywhere. Ireland 🇮🇪 to win, no matter who they play! 🤞

I think Kurtlee Arendse could score the most tries if he start most games ahead of Mapimpi.

One of my favorite rugby podcasts. Some banter, honest bias but also objective love in general for the game.

I predict Malcom Marx as being the top try scorer. SA using him in the back of the mauls and a lot more on the end of the line now...can't see him not scoring atleast one try each game.

Guys, it's not just Scotland got it difficult. SA and Ireland have it hard also. I'm Irish, and as far as I'm concerned, this is an impossible task for Ireland. Sa in 3rd game, Scots in 4th game, then if we are lucky enough to get out of the group it Nz or French. If Ireland do reach a semi final, it would most certainly be the biggest achievement in Irish rugby history. But I think its tok difficult for us. We are going to have injurys, but we will struggle missing a few big time.

Honestly counting down the minutes to Friday!! 👌

Good call on players coming through - Canan Moodie and Mark Nawangat - spot on!

Excellent & fun 30 minutes of banter. Andy Goode speaks sense. Great...❤

All you need to complete your line-up are a retired Welsh & Irish professional rugby player. Jim & Andy are very pleasant to listen to.

"He's just a horny teenager innit, Eddie"🤣🤣😭 awuva wena Andy

Best rugby channel on The Toob. Excellent work, gentlemen!

Scotlands depth is the issue. There's HUGE quality in the starting line up but quickly drops off with a couple of key injuries or red cards.

I think the ABs are going to get blitzed by the French. They've been made to look good this past year by a South African team that has been focused building depth and an Australian side that is in the doldrums. Outside of the rugby championship, they've played Japan, England, Wales and Scotland. They drew with the English, were played close by the Japanese, and only managed a convincing victory over Wales. I think the Twickenham performance is closer to the truth than a lot of people are willing to believe.

My opinion, Boks will go back to back 🇿🇦

I absolutely love the IRE game at the moment, exhilarating! They deserve to go far & I hope they do well. But the Boks have been building steadily thro the noise of the past 3 years & are suddenly starting to click. They arrive at a RWC arguably most settled, focused, confident, intentional, determined than ever before. Scary!

The skewed groups is making this a MUCH more interesting Group Phase. Sooo many clutch games.

I like Goodie’s faith in Ireland. I see France and SA as favourites.

I'd be quite happy if most pundits and commentators follow the trend in this podcast to write South Africa out of the plot. I'd much rather we go in as underdogs than favourites. Winning the Scotland game (if we do...) wil probably not be enough to change that narrative. If we beat Ireland in the pool all of that changes, but by that time we'll be close to the end of the round-robin stage...

Survival of the fittest between Ireland,Boks and the French….I’ve backed Ireland at 5-1…..but hope the AB’s lift the trophy

Moodie to score the most tries all the way down the final between SA and France and scoring the tournament winning try in extra time.

Goodie is the first pundit I've heard predict us winning. The only pundit who'll be smug after the dust is settled 🇮🇪

watching big jim always puts a smile on my facee

No way England tops that pool. Argentina will and poms come second.

As a neutral on the AB-France game, I lean towards ABs because: 1) I have rarely seen the ABs lose two games in a row. 2) After a loss, NZL usually play really well in the next game. 3) As the lads mentioned, France have some injuries to important players - Danty, Ntamack, etc. It will be a good competitive game though.

If ireland goes deep i think Calen Doris will stand out.

I think SA would want to play france and ireland would want to play NZ. Make it happen

Guys SA are a bigger threat in this WC than the last . . .

Great chat lads, good fun. Can't wait for kick off. France to win.

Mr. Goode have you been indulging in thought experiments where Ireland do not choke? It’s a rare perspective to take but once you do so it becomes quite compelling. Predictions are a mugs game and all but it seems weird that no one expects Ireland to perform. Picking Taghd Byrne was bold too and you might be right there. He won the NZ series for us in my eye. That is a really interesting call❤ They might be tempted to give it to Johnny sexton in his farewell match( if Ireland win).I’d say Ireland are about 3-1 to win it. Scotland may very well assist in the group, and who knows if they meet France in the quarters we may have an Irish Scottish final. Nice to hear you feel welcome in Dublin. It’s my first time (to my recollection) hearing you speak. Undecided humiliated and willing to change your mind. I’d say your well liked everywhere. I hope the RWC2023 hasn’t peaked in the speculation phase because if this World Cup gets better better when it actually starts it could be the RWC of the century. Enjoy everyone it’ll be over before we know.

Top 5 teams in the world are all in 2 groups... I am South African so I'll always back the boks, but for 1 team from pool B to win the World Cup, they'll have to beat 3 of the top 4 teams in the world and go on to win a pretty comfortable semifinal and then have a chance of drawing one of those top 4 teams again to win the cup! If someone in Pool B wins the World Cup, it'll be the best World Cup win for the team I'd say!

I still back NZL to do well in this WC, SA has a strong squad but choosing the right players & combinations will be key. France is playing at home and they do look good. Unfortunately I don't back the Irish, I think the pressure will get to them.

Blackadder carving in NZ. Needs to be the AB openside. Barrett was done for not binding when running into a ruck. How many times does that happen a game ?

Let's go Goodie! Come on Ireland!! 🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪

Damian Penaud will definitely be top try scorer. NZ will win World Cup

I understand the our history with the World Cup but what exactly does Ireland have to do or should have done differently over the past 12 months to be considered amongst the favourites for this WC? - Maintain world number 1 rank longer than any other Northern Hemisphere team - win a series in NZ - win a grand slam - beat every top tier nation - maintain an record breaking unbeaten streak for the nation - enter this World Cup with significant less injuries than our competitors I’m all for caution but ….

Very good content here! Let’s see on Friday 🇫🇷 🇫🇷 🇫🇷 !!!!!

I wouldn't expect old Jimbo to be anything other than "harsh to Wales" considering the fact that Scotland have only beaten Wales twice in 20 years.

2011 POTT was Thierry Dusatoir!

As former Irish player Mike Ross said. Ireland will either go out at the quarter final stage or we'll win it. Nothing in-between. Great show lads.

Love it Goodie , you will be welcome over for the pints with Blackcurrant if we win !!!

Great show guys as always!!! Should Finn be Scotland's captain.... discuss!! 😀

Good man Goodie. Ireland all the way. 👍

Despite all the matches these days decided by the odd point of two, no mention here until the 27th minute of the importance of place kickers!! Get serious chaps! Whether your kicker is converting at 90% as opposed to 70% will be totally crucial. One word - Goode said it -Ramos.

Dupont. 'He never says anything. He doesn't have to. You just know.' 😂

after 2 weeks into the tournament. what do you guys think now?

Once world rugby saw how uneven the groups were, why didn’t they switch the QFs? So group A & B play against groups C & D in the QFs?

Good stuff

Its all about Pool B hey fella's. Love the patriotism and loyalty. Rest assured we down South are also wrestling with the same possible permutations. England have a dream draw and sad their build up to the tournament has been less than expected. World Rugby needs a competitive England team. I think the Argies are gonna be a handful, they have some big scalps of late. Looking forward to a great RWC 🏆🏉

Pool A: NZ & France (France have too many injuries to crucial players) Scotland unfortunately will be knocked out at the Group Stage by the two best teams in the world. Pool B: Boks & Ireland (Bok forwards will be too strong for the Irish.) Pool C Argentina & England Pool D Australia & Wales (Wales forwards will be too strong for Fiji and discipline will let Fiji down). QF's Ireland > NZ by 5 Boks > France by 7 Australia > Argentina by 3 England > Wales by 3 Semis Ireland > Australia by 10 Boks > England by 20 Final Boks > Ireland by 12

“England were broken players under Eddie Jones”… yeah they also made the WC final? That’s the sacrifice I’m sure any player would make to get to that point in a WC

Jim - Scotland can do a trick on us and the Irish, ONE CARD for either the boks or the Irish and its happydays for Scotland.

I’ll buy you all the pints you can drink in Dublin if Ireland win it Goodie

GO ON GOODEY

In listening to many commentaries on the pools and teams one thing becomes apparent to me. All the contending teams seem to be fairly dependent upon one or two key players and their form. The one team where this is not the case is South Africa . Some reference is made about Kolisi being an inspiring captain. Otherwise it's about the scrum and backline...SA is a united team with depth ....if this prevails they will win.

"how do we beat South Africa??" "you can't"

South Africa are looking tough to beat as long as they avoid injuries and cards. First game is a great game to kick off the tournie.

Jim, your thinking with your heart, but best of luck to you ☘️

I would not put money on any of these games. Too close to call. It's going to be a banger.... GO BOKKE

As always a nice show.Spare a thought for the referees in the big games.Half the rugby world will love them and the other half hate them after those games.Wish them all well.

If Retallick is fit, who would NZ pick as their lock pairing? Would Barrett move to flanker? Or would they pair Retallick and Barrett?

As an Irish fan, I would 100% prefer New Zealand to France. We only just edged France in Dublin, and they were much better than us the time before in Paris. NZ are a dangerous team, but the match up suits us much more.

France will bottle it. If Ireland don't lose any big players they could do it

Got it wrong about Wales at the start what a kick up the arse.

This will mark the year as a first ever back to back WC victory …

SA seem on another level .. but the beauty developing in this game, how you give space in the back for kicking forward, for sheer trickery and fast hands and legs.. We will know soon enough. Come on Ireland! 12,000 residents of Tours know the beauty .. so Allez Les Bleus also. Can Ireland meet France in the final?

Best podcast out there in any sport..pure class lads ...yeah andy ,we'll adopt you over here in ireland ,no bother

Lads .on any given day ,anyone can beat anyone. So dont think to hard .just enjoy

Good for you Goodie.

Do you think the Scotish coaching team have been prioritizing the SA game over the Irish game over the last 12 months? It’s their first test so the team will be in good shape. It will be physical but so are France and Scotland of late have kept the scoreboard tight with France. They will probably also be considering the attrition out of that game and the fact that their bench is not as deep as they would like. So the team vs Ireland could be sun optimal. SA won’t know the result of the Irish Scottish game until the last weekend of the groups so cannot afford to take a risk on the Scottish game. They have to go all in on the opening match. Scotland know this so can expect a very physical match with a high chance of missing key players for the Irish game. All this is just to say why I think Scotland are going to be all over the opening match. Do I think it’s possible for Scotland to beat SA. Yes and I hope so. They have performed really well against a physical French team and I suspect SA are underestimating them a little. I can see a scenario where SA sub in some 2nd choice players (if they have any 🙃) coz the score is comfortable at 50mins and Scotland come back with 3 try’s (again) The fixtures are scheduled best for Ireland with regard to the group (not the 1/4s)right? Knowing the Scotland SA result up front has to be helpful to Ireland. I love Scotland but I think their best bet is Scotland and Ireland beating SA. What an ask but what a group and what an exciting group. Enjoy everyone.

As an Ireland fan I have been feeling frustrated that its a possibility they don't get out of the group or will be depleted If they get to the quarters. But now recognising the unfairness to Scotland who would likely get to the quarters from the other side of the draw, the worst fixture of the WC is Ireland v Scotland 7 days before the quarters, likely a must win game for both and a short turnaround to Fra or NZ

And.. Mark Telea for top try scorer. Brut of a winger with pace.

Ireland or south Africa but anything can happen.

I agree with Jim’s predictions

Alright Jim Hamilton - if Australia and Georgia qualify, do Wales come fourth and have to go through qualification for the next World Cup? The fact that I can plausibly see Wales both in the semifinals and failing to automatically qualify for 2027 is spectacular...

The hype from goodie is gonna make our inevitable QF exit all the more painful

But if Ireland are already jinxed to lose a QF and they've done the Viking Clap which is also a jinx then do two negatives make a positive and cancel each other out??

The fact that Ireland needs to play both SA and Scotland in the last 2 games of the group, is going to prove too much for them to win both, so i rate SA 1, SCO 2 in group B

Ireland Vs Springboks is going to be like a final. They might meet twice in the tourney.

AB & France to qualify in that order. SA & Ireland to qualify in that order. Australia & Fiji to qualify in that order. Argentina & Samoa to qualify in that order.

I've been routing Ireland to lift the cup for quite a while now.

Ignore the Scotland hype train If they in the other pool I'd say there was a good possibility because the style of Rugby France and to a lesser extent the ABs play is really conducive to the style of Rugby Scotland plays. Scotland has a pretty good recent record against France and the loses are usually really close. Whereas the kind of Rugby both SA and Ireland play is basically kryptonite to the way Scotland play. The play smother ball control the game tightly and not give Scott the room to do the magic that Scotland does so well. That's why Scotland haven't beaten Ireland in 7 games or SA in 8. I don't think even Finn is magical enough to do it.

Pool A is a funny one, France had a lot of injuries and NZ aren't their best, I think Italy could be dark horses in that group... Pool C is going to be crazy, I can see them all beating each other with Australia and Georgia getting out on bonus points... I can see Samoa and Argentina getting out of Pool D also... I feel for Scotland, but I don't see them beating South Africa or Ireland... Australia vs France final I think, with Argentina and Ireland in the bronze final. Dan Sheehan to be top try scorer Antoine Dupont to win POTT

Samoa to be the dark horse this world cup 2023,I think Samoa will come through in their pool,

England won’t win their pool, actually I ‘m not far to predict Argentina Fidji access to quarter

I think the players are going to be nervous for the first game. The 2nd half is going to be better game than the first half.

Andy Goode still making up that the players didn't like playing under Eddie when that's literally the complete opposite of what all of them have said in public and in private. His only tip is from Chris Ashton who claims that the England players weren't enjoying it, but the guy wasn't even in camp and doesn't like Eddie because he dropped him.

I think Australia and Fiji are through to quarters 🎉

SA won the WC! SA 12 NZ 11……what a game!

Goodie, you’ll never have to buy a pint in Ireland again. 😅 I hope your right 🙏🙏 Injuries will be our biggest fear in the ridiculous group followed by a brutal Q final if we get there. 🥵🥵

Leister going under the radar, just like Milner skudder did in 2015 ;)