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The RWC 2023 match schedule is favorable for some and unfavorable for others. The organizers have provided a more even spread of fixtures than in prior RWCs; however, there are teams with friendlier match schedules than others.
In the case of the Americas there are four places to consider. They are Argentina, Americas 1, Americas 2 and the Qualifier Winner. Los Pumas will be happy with their match schedule. The remaining Americas sides are hit and miss.
The Americas 1 qualifier will have a favorable match schedule; one more so than Americas 2. This instantly means that there is more to play for in the Americas qualifiers for RWC 2023. They begin in Montevideo in June.
At RWC 2023, Americas 1 will play matches on Thursday, September 14 vs France; Wednesday, September 20 vs Italy; Wednesday, September 27 vs Africa 1; and Thursday, October 05 vs New Zealand.
Americas 2 will play on Sunday, September 10 vs Japan; Saturday, September 16 vs Oceania 1 (Samoa or Tonga); Saturday, September 23 vs England; and Saturday, September 30 vs Argentina.
In terms of days, Americas 1 will play four matches in 22 while Americas 2 will do so in 21 days. This may appear to be a minor difference, but it is not the only comparable disadvantage.
Americas 1 will be reasonably happy with the match order. The positioning of the top two opponents first and last is a positive. Assuming that Argentina is of a superior level compared to Japan, then Americas 2 will face their top two opponents third and fourth. This means that Americas 2 has a comparatively unfavorable match order to that of Americas 1.
Both Americas 1 and Americas 2 will have six days between facing their two lower opponents in their respective pools. As such, there is no comparative advantage for either side. However, what follows is advantageous for the Americas 1 qualifier. Americas 1 will have one more day than Americas 2 between their two easier matches and the game that follows.
The Final Qualifier Winner will play matches on Saturday, September 16 vs Wales; Saturday, September 23 vs Europe 1 (likely Georgia); Sunday, October 01 vs Australia; and Sunday, October 08 vs Fiji. In short, this is more than Americas 1 or Americas 2; it is four games in 23 days.
The Final Qualifier Winner will have the advantage of the spread of games from Saturday – Saturday – Sunday – Sunday. Notwithstanding, the match order is not favorable. The positioning of Wales first and Australia third is a split; yet, the Europe 1 match will be targeted and falls in between what are theoretically the two most-demanding matches.
Another reason why Americas 1 is a sought after place compared to Americas 2 is the opposition. This comes in two ways for 2023. First, for all players the opportunity of playing in a RWC is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Some of them have the opportunity of playing in multiple RWC tournaments. Few have the chance of facing the tournament hosts. Playing against France in Lyon will be considered a great honor by the players and teams competing to become Americas 1. Factor in Eagles hooker Joe Taufete’e who plays for Lyon in the Top 14.
Second, Americas 1 has favored opposition compared to Americas 2. Look past France and New Zealand to consider the pools for what they are. Indeed, Africa 1 (likely Namibia) is a favorable opponent; more so than the Americas 2 comparative opposition of Oceania 1 or the Final Qualifier Winner’s Europe 1 opponent. Africa 1 will be underlined by Americas 1 as the prized game.
The final variable is travel. Of the three possible Americas qualifiers, Americas 1 has the most favorable match venues. Americas 1 will travel two times between matches. Americas 2 and the Final Qualifier Winner will both travel three times.
Americas 1 play in Lille, Nice, Lyon and Lyon. This is favorable in comparison to the other two. First, Americas 2 play in Toulouse, Bordeaux, Lille and Nantes. Second, the Final Qualifier Winner will play in Nice, Toulouse, Saint-Étienne, and Toulouse.
