Today I was talking to someone who asked my opinion on tonight's rugby game between the Springboks and the All Blacks and who I thought might win. I had no idea this person had made a bet or bets on sports and had to ask them why and for what reason as they said the All Blacks would win.
They had no information or reason to back this up and it sounded like someone had told them the All blacks would win and they believed them. When I said I was convinced 100% they would not win as the ground is not in their favor. I never bet on sports besides one game when I predicted a draw which is ultra rare and won my bet so I am no gambler and rather just enjoy the matches for what they are. Tonight If I had placed a bet it would be South Africa by 15 due to the information I already know and nothing else.
A rugby ground/pitch is a standard 70 m wide and todays ground at Baltimore is around 49m wide. They can gain a few meters either side and from what it sounds like is they will be around the 64m width mark. That is 3m less on either side for players to take the game wide. This is quite significant and why this ground favors SA 's game plan and why I say they will be comfortable winners.
The All Blacks success of late against South Africa has come when they have put width on their game and tonight they have to run through South Africa which will not end well. The try end goal area is also going to be much smaller so depending on how hard the field is the kickers have to be careful of kicking the ball dead. The length of the standard rugby field versus todays is close to 35 meters shorter so the dead ball area will be cut in half.
The pitch can only be made as big as the area they have to contend with due to safety reasons. Being tackled into the seating area or a concrete stand would not be advisable so they have to leave a safe distance between the field of play. We will have to wait and see how much smaller this pitch is going to be and how it changes the game.
This is a good tester allowing insight into the 2031 Rugby World Cup playing fields as this will be hosted in the US. I am no fan of using stadiums that are going to change how teams play as the width should be a standard 70m. If teams in other pools use smaller stadiums then it can change the entire tournament and nothing would be deemed fair and standard practice.
We have a draw for the 2027 Rugby World Cup that is highly suggestive of manipulation with the two top teams somehow facing each other in a quarter final allowing for an upset or two. We know World Rugby is desperate for a Northern Hemisphere victor, but this is taking it too far by trying to eliminate the favorites. Whatever they can concoct will not work as the Northern Hemisphere had their chance last time in Paris and those teams are just too weak today.
The top 3 teams who have any chance of winning the next Rugby World Cup are South Africa, New Zealand and France with no one else even coming close. There is not enough time to build a squad that will be competitive for the other countries as they do not have the players.