What is the point of the 3rd/4th Play-Off?

Question

Does it matter who comes 3rd?

There's no Bronze medal at stake?

Most teams don't want to be there once knocked out of Semis and often play B team, ie all those players who didn't play much in the tournament to date.

And to cap it all it ranks doubly for IRB ranking points.

This is a worthless fixture, isn't it?

Answer 1

Actually, there ARE bronze medals this year. There were back in 2003 too but they were just handed out to the NZ players in the changing rooms after the game.

Also, the IRB pays prize money to the top 4 finishers in RWC, so they need that match to decide which side gets more of the money.

Answer 2

I think so to but its another game and the more games the more money the IRB gets.

Answer 3

just another game to assist the new world rankings i suppose, plus if your team was in that position you'd rather them coming third than just tied runner-up right?

Answer 4

a bit of extra income for the IRB

Answer 5

I agree, I think on all the points and stuff throughout the tournament , they should determine the third/ fourth place position