Rugby World Cup 2023: Julian Linden’s highs and lows from the first week of tournament

The Rugby World Cup started with a bang, then killed its own momentum. As JULIAN LINDEN writes, it’s a mistake that can’t be repeated at future tournaments.

PARIS, FRANCE - SEPTEMBER 08: Melvyn Jaminet, Damian Penaud and Paul Boudehent of France celebrate their side's second try as Richie Mo'unga of New Zealand looks dejected during the Rugby World Cup France 2023 Pool A match between France and New Zealand at Stade de France on September 08, 2023 in Paris, France. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)

World Rugby’s decision to introduce more rest days at the World Cup has been a momentum killer that should not be repeated at future tournaments.

Unlike previous tournaments where the pool games were spread throughout the entire week to give rugby fans wall-to-wall live entertainment, rugby officials have changed the format for the current tournament in France.

Instead, each round of pool matches are jammed into just four days — meaning there is no live action three days per week — Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

The World Cup has produced great headlines, but then killed its own momentum. Picture: Warren Little/Getty Images

The idea was introduced for player welfare reasons and ‘fairness’ because in previous years, the off-peak matches were all given to smaller nations.

Tonga for example, once had to play their four matches in a 14-day span, while the top tier teams in the group all got the advantage of a week off between games.

With a greater focus on player welfare, that no longer happens, but with a ‘bye’ now built into the expanded pool stage, World Rugby needs to reconsider its scheduling plans before the next World Cup takes place in Australia in 2027.

As the FIFA Women’s World Cup proved, the appetite for world-class entertainment never stops.

Ben Donaldson with fans after the Wallabies’ match against Georgia. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

AUSSIE FANS DODGE FRENCH TRAVEL CHAOS

Hundreds of Wallabies supporters travelling to Australia‘s second group game against Fiji have dodged a bullet after the last-minute cancellation of a national strike by French air traffic controllers.

The planned mass walk out by air traffic controllers was due to take place on Friday – two days before the Wallabies tackle the Pacific Islanders in St Etienne — but around the same time hundreds more new fans were due to land in France.

Some fans narrowly dodged travel chaos. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

Had the strike gone ahead, all the airports and airspace in France would have been shut down, causing major chaos to the tournament, with rugby fans left stranded at other airports.

The planned strike was part of an ongoing series of protests against the French government’s plan to increase the pension age from 62 to 64 but union officials have agreed not to proceed with industrial action during the World Cup or next year’s Olympics and Paralympics.

FANS URGED TO BE VIGILANT

Visiting fans to France have been given a terrifying warning to be vigilant during the tournaments after French media reported that a female Irish fan was abducted and gang raped in Bordeaux.

According to Le Parisien, French police have opened a criminal investigation after a 37-year-old Irish woman was attacked by three men while walking back to her hotel at night.

The report said the woman was heavily traumatised and taken to hospital for treatment while Irish investigators have joined the French cops in trying to apprehend the culprits.

A statement from the Irish Rugby football Union read: “The IRFU is aware of the disturbing news emanating from Bordeaux regarding an incident involving an Irish supporter at the weekend.

Originally published as Rugby World Cup 2023: Julian Linden’s highs and lows from the first week of tournament