Here's how to make the 2019 Rugby World Cup even better

It's being called the best Rugby World Cup ever. Rupert Cox looks at how to make it better still in 2019 and beyond.

Make sure that the host nation is good enough get to the playoffs

Whatever they say, England's premature exit did dampen the lasting impact of this World Cup. England's performance at their home tournament was embarrassing. I said as much to an England fan at Twickers after the Australia defeat and he threw his pint of Heineken all over my best smart-casual. At least I think it was beer!  I get the passionate disappointment dude, but England rugby people should realise the Red Rose calamity was completely avoidable. England were not good enough to win this event, but talented players with plenty of spark, who looked on the up and up through the Six Nations and warm up games, were held back by a gutless coaching staff who reverted the team to conservative type at the eleventh hour and failed to pick their most gifted players. And country plays second fiddle to club in this country. Until that changes, the national team will struggle. Just look at what's happened to football.

 Get rid of bonus points.

They make sense in a league structure over a whole season, but World Cup games already packed with tension and drama don't need fluffing up. Why should a team be rewarded for losing a game even if it is within seven points? And awarding try bonus points unfairly skews pool tables in favour of the big teams. South Africa came out of their historic loss to Japan with two losing bonus points; Japan pulled off one of the greatest upsets in rugby and only got two more! That can't be right. Just listen to Billy Vunipola - he admitted to not even knowing bonus points existed, but he still kept on trying for that fourth try against Fiji. Four points for a win. Two for a draw. Zero for a loss. Done.

Expand the TMO

It needs a complete overhaul, not a piecemeal fix. Surely it's all about getting the right decisions AND the right result? Allow coaches two reviews each half, with a penalty against if they are unsuccessful. America has long been the world leader in sports innovation: in the NFL, on field officials are in complete control of video reviews. They watch all replays on pitch-side monitors and relay all reviews to the spectators inside the stadium as well as the TV viewers at home. No more post-match conjecture about what might have been. And no need for the governing body to pander to public hysteria and 'out' a ref after the game. Yes you did.

 Abolish the bronze medal match

The players desperately don't want to be there - take pity on them and let them go home. The fans are barely interested. And seeing as end of tournament rankings for the top four have no influence on seeding for the next World Cup, why is it necessary to know who finished third or fourth? After so much great rugby this bronze match looked wooden.  

Image of the week

Steve Hansen, having won the World Cup, standing out on the Twickenham turf on the phone. "Hello love, we won it. Yep. Ta, love. Remember to put the bins out tonight?"

Brickbat

The trophy presentation. Why are we waiting? That silly rugby ball-shaped podium took an eternity to build. Surely it can be done quicker? And why can't the players just climb the stairs up to the royal box like they used to do and shake Harry's hand there? With euphoria and adrenaline looping round the stadium, watching a stage being constructed for half an hour is not the most thrilling theatre. All anyone wants to see is the Webb Ellis Cup lifted by the winning team - get on with it!

Bouquet

The All Blacks. As Muhammad Ali said upon meeting some of the 1997 All Blacks touring side: "With a name like that - you must be the greatest!"