Damian McKenzie of New Zealand scores his team's first try whilst being tackled by Santiago Arata of Uruguay (Photo by Michael Steele - World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images) Photo: Michael Steele
The All Blacks gear up for another battle with Ireland this weekend, a fixture that most had foretold but many are now deeply concerned about because it will be a game that will define the team. Right now, it's feeling very much like the Ellis Park fixture last year that saved Ian Foster's job, because if they lose, it will be the last time he coaches the All Blacks.
But we should park that for a day, because the tournament field was cut in half at the conclusion of the pool stages. It's been good, bad and ugly, so let's have a look at just what went down over the last five weeks:
It feels like ages already
Yes, there is a reason as to why the RWC has taken as long as it has, but really it hasn't helped the momentum of the tournament on this side of the world. The gap between games has felt like an age, so now at least we're into the business end.
Did England make the draw?
A lot has been said about the draw, which was done two years ago for reasons best known to World Rugby. It means that we have two quarters that could be finals this weekend, but also means that England are now primed to make it into the semi-finals despite 2023 being one of their poorest seasons in recent memory.
Photo: AFP / SAMEER AL-DOUMY
Fiji's less than conventional ride so far
Interestingly, Fiji have managed to make it into the quarters despite having their best performance in a loss (Wales), just winning a pool game they deserved to lose (Georgia) and losing one they were favourites to win (Portugal). Coach Simon Raiwalui deserved a great deal of credit for sorting out the Fijian set piece and ability to switch game plans, but they will need to find that top gear again to get over an English team they've already beaten this year.
The Wallabies are even worse than we thought
LYON, FRANCE - SEPTEMBER 24: Dejection for Australia players and staff after the Rugby World Cup France 2023 match between Wales and Australia at Parc Olympique on September 24, 2023 in Lyon, France. (Photo by Craig Mercer/MB Media/Getty Images) Photo: Craig Mercer/MB Media
Hey, remember when the All Blacks thrashed the Wallabies in Melbourne and we all thought it was a sign that Ian Foster's men were all on the right track again? Turns out it said far, far more about Eddie Jones and the absolute meltdown he's caused with the once-proud Australian team, who now head home after their worst ever finish at a World Cup.
Ireland are even better than we thought
In 2019, it became really clear early on that Ireland had peaked probably about a year early on their way to a quarter final exit. This time around it feels like they're only getting better than they were a when they came to New Zealand last year, which is an intensely daunting prospect for the All Blacks as Andy Farrell's team look to fulfil the destiny so many of their own fans now expect of them.
TMOs need to sort themselves out
Manu Samoa have every right to be miffed as to how a crucial try to Duncan Paia'aua was disallowed despite the conversion being taken, because it certainly felt like the TMO was looking for any possible excuse to not let them take a 21-8 lead and potential famous victory over England. While it's in the rules that the TMO has until the kick off to make a ruling, it just doesn't seem at all right - especially considering the amount of on-field calls that went against them anyway.
Portugal are fearless
Hands up if you thought these guys would be the feel-good story of the tournament so far? Not only were Portugal competitive, but they also played up tempo, entertaining rugby. That completely goes against the usual notion of minnow teams having to fall back on 10-man rugby to simply try and keep the score down, although the kicking game of the Portuguese was very impressive as well.
Francisco Fernandes of Portugal celebrates with teammates after scoring his team's second try during the Rugby World Cup France 2023 match between Fiji and Portugal (Photo by Julian Finney - World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images) Photo: Julius Finney
A World Cup in South America would be excellent
The best fans, unsurprisingly, have been the Argentinean, Chilean and Uruguayans who have made the trip over. Which really begs the questions as to why South America does not feature at all in World Rugby's plans for the future of the World Cup, given how passionate and boisterous the atmosphere would be. Just how well these sides are doing despite (apart from the Pumas) being locked out of meaningful international competition should be rewarded.
Julian Montoya of Argentina embraces members of the crowd at full-time following the Rugby World Cup France 2023 match between Argentina and Samoa (Photo by Adam Pretty - World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images) Photo: Adam Pretty
Romania and Namibia have gone backwards
I'm not going to pretend I know too much about the issues facing these two nations both on and off the field, but it is stark just how poor they have become. Namibia are clearly suffering as the decline in relevance of South African provincial rugby has left their players with less exposure to high performance set ups, while Romania being overtaken by Georgia in the pecking order outside of the Six Nations has seen even fewer opportunities come their way to play meaningful tests. Romania wasn't even supposed to be at the World Cup anyway, taking Spain's spot after they were booted out for fielding an ineligible player in qualifying.
French rugby crowds really love their national anthem
Anyone else getting a little tired of hearing La Marseillaise 40 times a game, especially in ones that don't involve France?