Wikipedia

2023 Rugby World Cup Pool C

Main article: 2023 Rugby World Cup

Pool C of the 2023 Rugby World Cup began on 9 September 2023 and concluded on 8 October 2023. The pool included two-times champions Australia, and automatic qualifiers Wales and Fiji. They were joined by Georgia (Europe 1) and Portugal (Final Qualifier Winner).[1]

It is the fourth time in five Rugby World Cup tournament in which Australia, Wales and Fiji have been in the same group (2011 being the exception, where Wales and Fiji were still drawn together, and Wales faced Australia in the bronze medal match).

Teams edit

Pos. Team Band Confederation Method of
qualification 		Date of
qualification 		Apps. Last Previous best
performance 		World Rugby Rankings[2]
1 January 2020[nb 1] 4 September 2023
C1   Wales 1 Europe Top 3 in 2019 RWC pool 9 October 2019 10th 2019 Third place (1987) 4 10
C2   Australia 2 Oceania Top 3 in 2019 RWC pool 9 October 2019 10th 2019 Winners (1991, 1999) 6 9
C3   Fiji 3 Oceania Top 3 in 2019 RWC pool 11 October 2019 9th 2019 Quarter-finals (1987, 2007) 11 7
C4   Georgia 4[nb 2] Europe Europe 1 10 March 2022 6th 2019 Pool stage (2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019) 14[nb 2] 11
C5   Portugal 5[nb 3] Europe Final Qualifier 18 November 2022 2nd 2007 Pool stage (2007) 24[nb 3] 16

Notes

  1. ^ The rankings of 1 January 2020 were used for seeding for the final draw.
  2. ^ a b As the identity of the Europe 1 winners was not known at the time of the final draw, positions in the World Rugby Rankings were not taken into account, and the placeholder in the draw was automatically seeded into band 4.[3]
  3. ^ a b As the identity of the Final Qualifier winners was not known at the time of the final draw, positions in the World Rugby Rankings were not taken into account, and the placeholder in the draw was automatically seeded into band 5.[3]

Overview edit

Pool C got underway with Australia facing Georgia, in which Australia came out victorious with a 35–15 win. Ben Donaldson earned himself two tries while also succeeding in 3 conversions and 3 penalties, earning him player of the match.[4] The following day, Wales faced Fiji in a pulsating encounter which Wales edged in a scoreline of 32–26. Tries were scored at both ends, but Elliot Dee's converted try in the 66th minute turned out to be what sealed victory for the Welsh, despite a late attempt at a fightback from Fiji which included a try from Mesake Doge in the 78th minute which was not converted.[5] Portugal, making their first Rugby World Cup appearance since 2007, began their campaign the following week against Wales. Despite a valiant effort from the Portuguese, Wales came out winners with a scoreline of 28–8, courtesy of four Welsh tries.[6] Australia faced Fiji for their second match of the pool the following day, as Fiji came out shock winners with a 15–22 victory in Saint-Étienne, with Josua Tuisova scoring their only try of the match.[7]

After a six day rest in the pool, action returned with Georgia facing Portugal in Toulouse. After trailing 13–0, Portugal staged a comeback with two tries from Raffaele Storti, before a late try from Tengiz Zamtaradze drew Georgia level and denied Portugal a famous first World Cup victory, with Nuno Sousa Guedes missing a last minute penalty for the Portuguese as the match finished with a scoreline of 18–18.[8] On the following day, Wales took on Australia, in which Wales scoring a record breaking 40 points to Australia's 6, a result which saw Wales become the first team to officially progress to the knockout stage in the 2023 Rugby World Cup, while leaving Australia in serious jeopardy of exiting the tournament at the pool stage for the first time in the Wallabies history.[9]

The following weekend, on 30 September, Fiji and Georgia locked horns in Bordeaux with both sides still fighting to join Wales in the knockout stage. Despite trailing to first half penalties from Luka Matkava and Davit Niniashvili, Fiji fought back in the second half with tries from Waisea Nayacalevu and Vinaya Habosi to move to the brink of qualifying for the quarter-finals, while Georgia were confirmed elimination from the tournament despite Matkava's late penalty providing Georgia a losing bonus point.[10] The next day, Australia played their last match of the pool against Portugal in a must win encounter for both sides in Saint-Étienne. In a physical match which saw three players sin-binned, the Australians came out victorious with a 34–14 scoreline, despite a valiant Portuguese effort. Five tries were scored by Australia, two not converted, to secure a bonus-point win and keep their faint hopes of progression to the knockout stage alive while officially knocking Portugal out of the tournament.[11]

Ahead of the final matchweek in the pool, which Australia would not play, Fiji needed just a point from their match against Portugal to advance to the knockout stage alongside Wales and ahead of Australia. On 7 October, Wales played their final match of the pool against Georgia in which they came out with a 43–19 victory, courtesy of a hat-trick from Louis Rees-Zammit, to officially secure the Welsh top spot in Pool C.[12] All that was left in Pool C was the final match the following day between Fiji and Portugal, to officially decide whether it would be Australia or Fiji who would finish second in the pool and join Wales in the knockout stage. With the exception of a few moments, Fiji started the game slowly and by halftime the scoreline was level at 3–3, with both teams having scored only a penalty each. By the 51st minute, Portugal looked to pull off a historic upset with Francisco Fernandes scoring a try, which converted, brought the scoreline to 10–17. In the 68th minute, a well-worked drive from Mesake Doge levelled the score at 17–17. Two converted penalties for Fiji within the space of four minutes looked to seal their place in the last-eight for them, however, in the final minute of the game, Rodrigo Marta ran in a last try. Samuel Marques would convert, bringing the final scoreline to 23–24, and marking Portugal's first ever victory in a World Cup tournament. Although Fiji lost the match, they were awarded a losing bonus-point as they lost the game within a margin of seven points, therefore putting them level with Australia on points in the standings. According to the tiebreaking criteria, advancement therefore went to the team with the better head-to-head record. Because Fiji had won against Australia, they went through to the knockout stage, and for the first time in their history, Australia was eliminated in the pool stages. Portugal finished in fourth, while Georgia took fifth.[13]

Standings edit

Pos Team Pld W D L PF PA PD TF TA B Pts Qualification
1   Wales 4 4 0 0 143 59 +84 17 8 3 19 Advance to knockout stage, and
qualification to the 2027 Rugby World Cup
2   Fiji 4 2 0 2 88 83 +5 9 9 3 11[a]
3   Australia 4 2 0 2 90 91 −1 11 8 3 11[a] Qualification to the 2027 Rugby World Cup
4   Portugal 4 1 1 2 64 103 −39 8 13 0 6
5   Georgia 4 0 1 3 64 113 −49 7 14 1 3
Source: World Rugby
Rules for classification: Pool stage tiebreakers
Notes:
  1. ^ a b Head-to-head: Australia 15–22 Fiji

Matches edit

Australia vs Georgia edit

9 September 2023
18:00 CEST (UTC+2)
(1 BP) Australia  35–15  Georgia
Try: Petaia 2' m
Nawaqanitawase 9' c
Donaldson (2) 56' c, 69' c
Con: Donaldson (3/4) 7', 57', 70'
Pen: Donaldson (3/3) 14', 21', 31'		ReportTry: Ivanishvili 47' m
Gigashvili 80' c
Con: Abzhandadze (1/1) 80'
Pen: Matkava (1/1) 6'
Stade de France, Saint-Denis
Attendance: 75,770
Referee: Luke Pearce (England)[14]
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Australia
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Georgia
FB 15 Ben Donaldson
RW 14 Mark Nawaqanitawase
OC 13 Jordan Petaia   57'
IC 12 Samu Kerevi   40'
LW 11 Marika Koroibete
FH 10 Carter Gordon
SH 9 Tate McDermott   35'
N8 8 Rob Valetini
OF 7 Fraser McReight
BF 6 Tom Hooper
RL 5 Will Skelton (c)   69'
LL 4 Richie Arnold   62'
TP 3 Taniela Tupou   70'
HK 2 Dave Porecki   59'
LP 1 Angus Bell   50'
Replacements:
HK 16 Matt Faessler   59'
PR 17 Blake Schoupp   50'
PR 18 Zane Nonggorr   70'
FL 19 Rob Leota   62'
FL 20 Langi Gleeson   69'
SH 21 Nic White   35'
CE 22 Lalakai Foketi   40'
WG 23 Suliasi Vunivalu   57'
Coach:
  Eddie Jones
 
FB 15 Davit Niniashvili   62'
RW 14 Aka Tabutsadze
OC 13 Demur Tapladze
IC 12 Merab Sharikadze (c)
LW 11 Mirian Modebadze   42'
FH 10 Luka Matkava   69'
SH 9 Vasil Lobzhanidze   52'
N8 8 Beka Gorgadze
OF 7 Luka Ivanishvili
BF 6 Tornike Jalaghonia   68'
RL 5 Konstantin Mikautadze   59'
LL 4 Nodar Cheishvili
TP 3 Guram Papidze   40'
HK 2 Shalva Mamukashvili   63'
LP 1 Nika Abuladze   52'
Replacements:
HK 16 Tengiz Zamtaradze   63'
PR 17 Guram Gogichashvili   52'
PR 18 Beka Gigashvili   40'
LK 19 Lasha Jaiani   59'
FL 20 Giorgi Tsutskiridze   68'
SH 21 Gela Aprasidze   52'
FH 22 Tedo Abzhandadze   69'
CE 23 Giorgi Kveseladze   62'
Coach:
  Levan Maisashvili

Player of the Match:
Ben Donaldson (Australia)[15]

Assistant referees:
James Doleman (New Zealand)[14]
Craig Evans (Wales)[14]
Television match official:
Brian MacNeice (Ireland)[14]

Notes:


Wales vs Fiji edit

10 September 2023
21:00 CEST (UTC+2)
(1 BP) Wales  32–26  Fiji (2 BP)
Try: Adams 7' m
North 29' c
Rees-Zammit 48' c
Dee 66' c
Con: Biggar (3/4) 30', 49', 67'
Pen: Biggar (2/3) 3', 24'		ReportTry: Nayacalevu 14' c
Tagitagivalu 17' c
Tuisova 73' c
Doge 78' m
Con: Lomani (2/2) 15', 18'
Tela (1/2) 73'
Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux, Bordeaux
Attendance: 41,274
Referee: Matthew Carley (England)[14]
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Wales
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fiji
FB 15 Liam Williams
RW 14 Louis Rees-Zammit
OC 13 George North
IC 12 Nick Tompkins
LW 11 Josh Adams   59'
FH 10 Dan Biggar   67'
SH 9 Gareth Davies   38'   41'   52'
N8 8 Taulupe Faletau   59'
OF 7 Jac Morgan (c)
BF 6 Aaron Wainwright   70'
RL 5 Adam Beard   59'
LL 4 Will Rowlands
TP 3 Tomas Francis   63'
HK 2 Ryan Elias   52'
LP 1 Gareth Thomas   63'   70'
Replacements:
HK 16 Elliot Dee   52'
PR 17 Corey Domachowski   68'   63'
PR 18 Dillon Lewis   63'
LK 19 Dafydd Jenkins   59'
FL 20 Tommy Reffell   59'
SH 21 Tomos Williams   38'   41'   52'
FH 22 Sam Costelow   67'
WG 23 Rio Dyer   59'
Coach:
  Warren Gatland
 
FB 15 Ilaisa Droasese   75'
RW 14 Selestino Ravutaumada
OC 13 Waisea Nayacalevu (c)
IC 12 Semi Radradra
LW 11 Vinaya Habosi   52'
FH 10 Teti Tela
SH 9 Frank Lomani   52'
N8 8 Viliame Mata
OF 7 Lekima Tagitagivalu   65'
BF 6 Albert Tuisue   59'
RL 5 Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta   70'
LL 4 Isoa Nasilasila
TP 3 Luke Tagi   67'
HK 2 Sam Matavesi   67'
LP 1 Eroni Mawi   57'
Replacements:
HK 16 Tevita Ikanivere   67'
PR 17 Peni Ravai   57'
PR 18 Mesake Doge   67'
LK 19 Temo Mayanavanua   70'
FL 20 Levani Botia   59'
SH 21 Simione Kuruvoli   52'
CE 22 Josua Tuisova   52'
CE 23 Sireli Maqala   75'
Coach:
  Simon Raiwalui

Player of the Match:
Dan Biggar (Wales)[17]

Assistant referees:
Wayne Barnes (England)[14]
Christophe Ridley (England)[14]
Television match official:
Brian MacNeice (Ireland)[14]


Wales vs Portugal edit

16 September 2023
17:45 CEST (UTC+2)
(1 BP) Wales  28–8  Portugal
Try: Rees-Zammit 9' c
Lake 40+3' c
Morgan 56' c
Faletau 80+3' c
Con: Halfpenny (3/3) 10', 40+4', 57'
Costelow (1/1) 80+4'		ReportTry: Martins 63' m
Pen: Marques (1/3) 37'
Allianz Riviera, Nice
Attendance: 28,700
Referee: Karl Dickson (England)[14]
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Wales
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Portugal
FB 15 Leigh Halfpenny   70'
RW 14 Louis Rees-Zammit
OC 13 Mason Grady
IC 12 Johnny Williams   26'
LW 11 Rio Dyer
FH 10 Gareth Anscombe   65'
SH 9 Tomos Williams   65'
N8 8 Taulupe Faletau
OF 7 Jac Morgan
BF 6 Dan Lydiate   54'
RL 5 Dafydd Jenkins   51'
LL 4 Christ Tshiunza
TP 3 Dillon Lewis   51'
HK 2 Dewi Lake (c)   51'
LP 1 Nicky Smith   51'
Replacements:
HK 16 Ryan Elias   51'
PR 17 Corey Domachowski   51'
PR 18 Tomas Francis   51'
LK 19 Adam Beard   51'
FL 20 Taine Basham   54'
SH 21 Gareth Davies   65'
FH 22 Sam Costelow   65'
WG 23 Josh Adams   70'
Coach:
  Warren Gatland
 
FB 15 Nuno Sousa Guedes   70'
RW 14 Vincent Pinto   77'
OC 13 José Lima   57'
IC 12 Tomás Appleton (c)
LW 11 Rodrigo Marta
FH 10 Jerónimo Portela
SH 9 Samuel Marques   74'
N8 8 Rafael Simões
OF 7 Nicolas Martins
BF 6 João Granate   66'
RL 5 Steevy Cerqueira
LL 4 Martim Belo   57'
TP 3 Anthony Alves   55'
HK 2 Mike Tadjer   78'
LP 1 Francisco Fernandes   59'
Replacements:
HK 16 Lionel Campergue   78'
PR 17 David Costa   59'
PR 18 Diogo Hasse Ferreira   55'
LK 19 Thibault de Freitas   57'
FL 20 David Wallis   66'
SH 21 Pedro Lucas   74'
FH 22 Joris Moura   70'
WG 23 Raffaele Storti   57'
Coach:
  Patrice Lagisquet

Player of the Match:
Jac Morgan (Wales)[18]

Assistant referees:
Luke Pearce (England)[14]
Andrea Piardi (Italy)[14]
Television match official:
Marius Jonker (South Africa)[14]

Notes:

  • This was the first ever meeting between these two nations at a World Cup. However, they did previously meet in a World Cup qualifying competition.
  • Tomos Williams (Wales) earned his 50th test cap.[19]
  • Tommy Reffell (Wales) was originally named in the starting line-up, but withdrew during the match-day warm-up because of injury. He was replaced by Jac Morgan.[20]
  • José Madeira (Portugal) was originally named in the starting line-up, but withdrew the day before the match because of injury. He was replaced by Martim Belo, whose place on the bench was taken by Thibault de Freitas.[21]


Australia vs Fiji edit

17 September 2023
17:45 CEST (UTC+2)
(1 BP) Australia  15–22  Fiji
Try: Nawaqanitawase 23' m
Vunivalu 68' c
Con: Donaldson (1/2) 70'
Pen: Donaldson (1/1) 3'		ReportTry: Tuisova 43' c
Con: Kuruvoli (1/1) 44'
Pen: Kuruvoli (4/4) 12', 21', 27', 33'
Lomani (1/3) 66'
Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, Saint-Étienne
Attendance: 41,294
Referee: Andrew Brace (Ireland)[14]
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Australia
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fiji
FB 15 Ben Donaldson
RW 14 Mark Nawaqanitawase
OC 13 Jordan Petaia
IC 12 Samu Kerevi   66'
LW 11 Marika Koroibete
FH 10 Carter Gordon   50'
SH 9 Nic White   57'
N8 8 Rob Valetini
BF 7 Fraser McReight   59'
OF 6 Tom Hooper
RL 5 Richie Arnold   65'
LL 4 Nick Frost
TP 3 James Slipper   57'
HK 2 Dave Porecki (c)   59'   65'
LP 1 Angus Bell   79'
Replacements:
HK 16 Jordan Uelese   59'   65'
PR 17 Blake Schoupp   79'
PR 18 Zane Nonggorr   57'
LK 19 Matt Philip   65'
FL 20 Rob Leota   59'
SH 21 Issak Fines-Leleiwasa   57'
CE 22 Lalakai Foketi   66'
WG 23 Suliasi Vunivalu   50'
Coach:
  Eddie Jones
 
FB 15 Ilaisa Droasese
RW 14 Jiuta Wainiqolo   42'
OC 13 Waisea Nayacalevu (c)
IC 12 Josua Tuisova   68'
LW 11 Semi Radradra
FH 10 Teti Tela
SH 9 Simione Kuruvoli   47'
N8 8 Viliame Mata
OF 7 Levani Botia   59'
BF 6 Lekima Tagitagivalu
RL 5 Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta
LL 4 Isoa Nasilasila   66'
TP 3 Luke Tagi   51'   59'
HK 2 Sam Matavesi   51'
LP 1 Eroni Mawi   51'
Replacements:
HK 16 Tevita Ikanivere   51'
PR 17 Peni Ravai   51'
PR 18 Mesake Doge   51'   59'
LK 19 Temo Mayanavanua   66'
FL 20 Albert Tuisue   59'
SH 21 Frank Lomani   47'
CE 22 Vilimoni Botitu   68'
WG 23 Vinaya Habosi   42'
Coach:
  Simon Raiwalui

Player of the Match:
Josua Tuisova (Fiji)[22]

Assistant referees:
Jaco Peyper (South Africa)[14]
Chris Busby (Ireland)[14]
Television match official:
Brian MacNeice (Ireland)[14]

Notes:


Georgia vs Portugal edit

23 September 2023
14:00 CEST (UTC+2)
Georgia  18–18  Portugal
Try: Tabutsadze 2' c
Zamtaradze 78' m
Con: Abzhandadze (1/1) 3'
Pen: Abzhandadze (2/2) 16', 32'		ReportTry: Storti (2) 34' m, 57' c
Con: Marques (1/2) 58'
Pen: Marques (2/2) 48', 53'
Stadium de Toulouse, Toulouse
Attendance: 31,889
Referee: Paul Williams (New Zealand)[14]
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Georgia
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Portugal
FB 15 Davit Niniashvili
RW 14 Aka Tabutsadze
OC 13 Giorgi Kveseladze
IC 12 Merab Sharikadze (c)
LW 11 Alexander Todua   67'
FH 10 Tedo Abzhandadze   53'
SH 9 Gela Aprasidze   59'
N8 8 Beka Gorgadze
OF 7 Beka Saghinadze   70'
BF 6 Tornike Jalaghonia
RL 5 Konstantin Mikautadze   55'
LL 4 Lado Chachanidze
TP 3 Beka Gigashvili   59'
HK 2 Shalva Mamukashvili   55'
LP 1 Mikheil Nariashvili   51'
Replacements:
HK 16 Tengiz Zamtaradze   55'
PR 17 Guram Gogichashvili   51'
PR 18 Guram Papidze   59'
LK 19 Nodar Cheishvili   55'
FL 20 Giorgi Tsutskiridze   70'
SH 21 Vasil Lobzhanidze   59'
FH 22 Luka Matkava   53'
WG 23 Demur Tapladze   67'
Coach:
  Levan Maisashvili
 
FB 15 Nuno Sousa Guedes
RW 14 Raffaele Storti
OC 13 Pedro Bettencourt
IC 12 Tomás Appleton (c)
LW 11 Rodrigo Marta
FH 10 Jerónimo Portela
SH 9 Samuel Marques   72'
N8 8 Rafael Simões   59'
OF 7 Nicolas Martins
BF 6 João Granate   42'   45'   59'
RL 5 Steevy Cerqueira   66'
LL 4 José Madeira
TP 3 Diogo Hasse Ferreira   80'
HK 2 Mike Tadjer   69'
LP 1 Francisco Fernandes   37'   55'   80'
Replacements:
PR 16 David Costa   42'   45'   55'
HK 17 Lionel Campergue   69'
PR 18 Anthony Alves
LK 19 Martim Belo   66'
FL 20 David Wallis   59'
FL 21 Thibault de Freitas   59'
SH 22 Pedro Lucas   72'
WG 23 Manuel Cardoso Pinto
Coach:
  Patrice Lagisquet

Player of the Match:
Jerónimo Portela (Portugal)[26]

Assistant referees:
Matthew Carley (England)[14]
Chris Busby (Ireland)[14]
Television match official:
Joy Neville (Ireland)[14]

Notes:

  • This was the first ever meeting between these two nations at a World Cup.
  • This was the fourth draw in a World Cup match, and the first since Canada and Japan drew 23–23 in 2011.[27]


Wales vs Australia edit

24 September 2023
21:00 CEST (UTC+2)
Wales  40–6  Australia
Try: Davies 3' c
Tompkins 48' c
Morgan 78' m
Con: Biggar (1/1) 4'
Anscombe (1/2) 49'
Pen: Anscombe (6/7) 21', 29', 39', 43', 52', 60'
Drop: Anscombe (1/1) 70'		ReportPen: Donaldson (2/2) 9', 14'
Parc Olympique Lyonnais, Décines-Charpieu
Attendance: 55,296
Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)[14]
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Wales
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Australia
FB 15 Liam Williams
RW 14 Louis Rees-Zammit   71'
OC 13 George North
IC 12 Nick Tompkins
LW 11 Josh Adams
FH 10 Dan Biggar   12'
SH 9 Gareth Davies   60'
N8 8 Taulupe Faletau
OF 7 Jac Morgan (c)
BF 6 Aaron Wainwright   71'
RL 5 Adam Beard
LL 4 Will Rowlands   71'
TP 3 Tomas Francis   67'
HK 2 Ryan Elias   67'
LP 1 Gareth Thomas   67'
Replacements:
HK 16 Elliot Dee   67'
PR 17 Corey Domachowski   67'
PR 18 Henry Thomas   67'
LK 19 Dafydd Jenkins   71'
FL 20 Taine Basham   71'
SH 21 Tomos Williams   60'
FH 22 Gareth Anscombe   12'
WG 23 Rio Dyer   71'
Coach:
  Warren Gatland
 
FB 15 Andrew Kellaway   60'
RW 14 Mark Nawaqanitawase
OC 13 Jordan Petaia
IC 12 Samu Kerevi
LW 11 Marika Koroibete
FH 10 Ben Donaldson   53'
SH 9 Tate McDermott   68'
N8 8 Rob Valetini
OF 7 Tom Hooper
BF 6 Rob Leota   50'
RL 5 Richie Arnold   66'
LL 4 Nick Frost
TP 3 James Slipper   41'
HK 2 Dave Porecki (c)   60'
LP 1 Angus Bell   68'
Replacements:
HK 16 Matt Faessler   60'
PR 17 Blake Schoupp   68'
PR 18 Pone Fa'amausili   41'
LK 19 Matt Philip   66'
FL 20 Fraser McReight   50'
SH 21 Nic White   68'
FH 22 Carter Gordon   53'
WG 23 Suliasi Vunivalu   60'
Coach:
  Eddie Jones

Player of the Match:
Gareth Anscombe (Wales)[28]

Assistant referees:
Luke Pearce (England)[14]
Christophe Ridley (England)[14]
Television match official:
Tom Foley (England)[14]

Notes:


Fiji vs Georgia edit

30 September 2023
17:45 CEST (UTC+2)
Fiji  17–12  Georgia (1 BP)
Try: Nayacalevu 51' c
Habosi 68' c
Con: Lomani (2/2) 52', 69'
Pen: Lomani (1/2) 65'		ReportPen: Matkava (2/2) 5', 80'
Niniashvili (2/2) 19', 31'
Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux, Bordeaux
Attendance: 39,862
Referee: Karl Dickson (England)[14]
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fiji
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Georgia
FB 15 Ilaisa Droasese
RW 14 Selestino Ravutaumada
OC 13 Waisea Nayacalevu (c)
IC 12 Josua Tuisova   80'
LW 11 Semi Radradra   41'   60'
FH 10 Teti Tela
SH 9 Simione Kuruvoli   48'
N8 8 Viliame Mata   60'
OF 7 Levani Botia
BF 6 Lekima Tagitagivalu
RL 5 Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta   65'
LL 4 Isoa Nasilasila
TP 3 Luke Tagi   70'
HK 2 Sam Matavesi   60'
LP 1 Eroni Mawi   48'
Replacements:
HK 16 Tevita Ikanivere   60'
PR 17 Peni Ravai   48'
PR 18 Samu Tawake   70'
LK 19 Temo Mayanavanua   65'
N8 20 Albert Tuisue   60'
SH 21 Frank Lomani   48'
CE 22 Vilimoni Botitu
WG 23 Vinaya Habosi   60'
Coach:
  Simon Raiwalui
 
FB 15 Mirian Modebadze
RW 14 Aka Tabutsadze
OC 13 Demur Tapladze
IC 12 Giorgi Kveseladze
LW 11 Davit Niniashvili   78'
FH 10 Luka Matkava
SH 9 Vasil Lobzhanidze   59'
N8 8 Tornike Jalaghonia
OF 7 Beka Saghinadze   66'
BF 6 Mikheil Gachechiladze
RL 5 Konstantin Mikautadze   61'   66'
LL 4 Lasha Jaiani   17'
TP 3 Beka Gigashvili   59'
HK 2 Tengiz Zamtaradze   12'
LP 1 Mikheil Nariashvili (c)   44'
Replacements:
HK 16 Luka Nioradze   12'
PR 17 Nika Abuladze   44'
PR 18 Irakli Aptsiauri   59'
LK 19 Nodar Cheishvili   17'
FL 20 Luka Ivanishvili   61'   71'
SH 21 Gela Aprasidze   59'
FH 22 Tedo Abzhandadze   78'
CE 23 Tornike Kakhoidze   71'
Coach:
  Levan Maisashvili

Player of the Match:
Levani Botia (Fiji)[33]

Assistant referees:
Jaco Peyper (South Africa)[14]
Pierre Brousset (France)[14]
Television match official:
Tom Foley (England)[14]

Notes:


Australia vs Portugal edit

1 October 2023
17:45 CEST (UTC+2)
(1 BP) Australia  34–14  Portugal
Try: Arnold 19' c
Porecki 22' c
Bell 26' c
McReight 47' m
Koroibete 74' m
Con: Donaldson (3/5) 20', 24', 27'
Pen: Donaldson (1/2) 4'		ReportTry: Bettencourt 13' c
Simões 70' c
Con: Marques (2/2) 14', 71'
Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, Saint-Étienne
Attendance: 41,342
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia)[14]
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Australia
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Portugal
FB 15 Andrew Kellaway   71'
RW 14 Mark Nawaqanitawase
OC 13 Izaia Perese   56'
IC 12 Lalakai Foketi
LW 11 Marika Koroibete
FH 10 Ben Donaldson
SH 9 Tate McDermott   71'
N8 8 Rob Valetini   23'   33'
OF 7 Fraser McReight   60'   71'
BF 6 Tom Hooper
RL 5 Richie Arnold   78'
LL 4 Nick Frost   41'
TP 3 James Slipper   47'   76'
HK 2 Dave Porecki (c)   56'   60'   71'
LP 1 Angus Bell   76'
Replacements:
HK 16 Matt Faessler   60'   56'
PR 17 Blake Schoupp   76'
PR 18 Pone Fa'amausili   47'   76'
FL 19 Rob Leota   23'   33'   41'
FL 20 Josh Kemeny   78'
SH 21 Issak Fines-Leleiwasa   71'
CE 22 Samu Kerevi   62'   56'
WG 23 Suliasi Vunivalu   71'
Coach:
  Eddie Jones
 
FB 15 Nuno Sousa Guedes
RW 14 Raffaele Storti   56'
OC 13 Pedro Bettencourt   15'
IC 12 Tomás Appleton (c)
LW 11 Rodrigo Marta
FH 10 Jerónimo Portela   76'
SH 9 Samuel Marques   71'
N8 8 Thibault de Freitas   41'
OF 7 Nicolas Martins
BF 6 David Wallis
RL 5 Martim Belo   50'
LL 4 José Madeira
TP 3 Diogo Hasse Ferreira   71'
HK 2 Mike Tadjer   71'
LP 1 David Costa   55'
Replacements:
PR 16 Francisco Fernandes   55'
HK 17 Duarte Diniz   71'
PR 18 Francisco Bruno   71'
LK 19 Steevy Cerqueira   50'
FL 20 Rafael Simões   41'
SH 21 João Bello   71'
FH 22 Joris Moura   76'
WG 23 Manuel Cardoso Pinto   56'
Coach:
  Patrice Lagisquet

Player of the Match:
Rob Valetini (Australia)[34]

Assistant referees:
Mathieu Raynal (France)[14]
Andrea Piardi (Italy)[14]
Television match official:
Joy Neville (Ireland)[14]

Notes:

  • This was the first ever meeting between these two nations at a World Cup.
  • Carter Gordon was originally named on the bench for Australia, but withdrew prior to the match because of injury. He was replaced by Samu Kerevi.[35]


Wales vs Georgia edit

7 October 2023
15:00 CEST (UTC+2)
(1 BP) Wales  43–19  Georgia
Try: Francis 16' c
L. Williams 23' c
Rees-Zammit (3) 43' c, 67' c, 74' m
North 80' c
Con: Costelow (5/6) 17', 24', 44', 69', 80+1'
Pen: Costelow (1/2) 27'		ReportTry: Sharikadze 35' c
Karkadze 59' c
Niniashvili 62' m
Con: Matkava (2/3) 36', 60'
Stade de la Beaujoire, Nantes
Attendance: 33,580
Referee: Mathieu Raynal (France)[14]
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Wales
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Georgia
FB 15 Liam Williams   69'
RW 14 Louis Rees-Zammit
OC 13 George North
IC 12 Nick Tompkins
LW 11 Rio Dyer
FH 10 Sam Costelow
SH 9 Tomos Williams   60'
N8 8 Taulupe Faletau   69'
OF 7 Tommy Reffell
BF 6 Aaron Wainwright   69'
RL 5 Dafydd Jenkins
LL 4 Will Rowlands
TP 3 Tomas Francis   52'
HK 2 Dewi Lake (c)   52'
LP 1 Gareth Thomas   52'
Replacements:
HK 16 Elliot Dee   52'
PR 17 Nicky Smith   52'
PR 18 Henry Thomas   52'
LK 19 Christ Tshiunza   69'
FL 20 Taine Basham   71'   69'
SH 21 Gareth Davies   60'
FH 22 Dan Biggar
CE 23 Mason Grady   69'
Coach:
  Warren Gatland
 
FB 15 Lasha Khmaladze   41'
RW 14 Aka Tabutsadze
OC 13 Giorgi Kveseladze
IC 12 Merab Sharikadze (c)
LW 11 Davit Niniashvili   71'
FH 10 Luka Matkava   69'
SH 9 Vasil Lobzhanidze   58'
N8 8 Tornike Jalaghonia
OF 7 Beka Saghinadze
BF 6 Mikheil Gachechiladze   69'
RL 5 Konstantin Mikautadze   49'
LL 4 Nodar Cheishvili
TP 3 Beka Gigashvili   50'
HK 2 Shalva Mamukashvili   41'
LP 1 Guram Gogichashvili   41'
Replacements:
HK 16 Vano Karkadze   41'
PR 17 Nika Abuladze   41'
PR 18 Irakli Aptsiauri   50'
LK 19 Lado Chachanidze   49'
FL 20 Giorgi Tsutskiridze   69'
SH 21 Gela Aprasidze   58'
FH 22 Tedo Abzhandadze   69'
CE 23 Demur Tapladze   41'
Coach:
  Levan Maisashvili

Player of the Match:
Tommy Reffell (Wales)[36]

Assistant referees:
Ben O'Keeffe (New Zealand)[14]
Pierre Brousset (France)[14]
Television match official:
Brendon Pickerill (New Zealand)[14]

Notes:

  • Gareth Anscombe was originally named to start at fly-half for Wales, but withdrew after sustaining a groin injury during the pre-match warm-up. He was replaced by Sam Costelow, whose place on the bench was taken by Dan Biggar.[37]
  • Wales finished top of their pool for the second World Cup in a row – the first time they have achieved this feat in consecutive tournaments.[38]


Fiji vs Portugal edit

8 October 2023
21:00 CEST (UTC+2)
(1 BP) Fiji  23–24  Portugal
Try: Botia 48' c
Doge 68' c
Con: Lomani (2/2) 49', 69'
Pen: Lomani (3/3) 10', 74', 76'		ReportTry: Storti 45' c
Fernandes 51' c
Marta 78' c
Con: Marques (3/3) 47', 53', 79'
Pen: Marques (1/1) 38'
Stadium de Toulouse, Toulouse
Attendance: 32,223
Referee: Luke Pearce (England)[14]
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fiji
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Portugal
FB 15 Sireli Maqala
RW 14 Selestino Ravutaumada   77'
OC 13 Waisea Nayacalevu (c)   62'
IC 12 Josua Tuisova   72'
LW 11 Vinaya Habosi
FH 10 Vilimoni Botitu
SH 9 Frank Lomani
N8 8 Viliame Mata   72'   80'
OF 7 Levani Botia   50'
BF 6 Meli Derenalagi
RL 5 Temo Mayanavanua   17'
LL 4 Isoa Nasilasila
TP 3 Luke Tagi   61'
HK 2 Sam Matavesi   61'
LP 1 Eroni Mawi   61'
Replacements:
HK 16 Tevita Ikanivere   61'
PR 17 Peni Ravai   61'
PR 18 Mesake Doge   61'
LK 19 Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta   17'   80'
FL 20 Albert Tuisue   72'
SH 21 Ratu Peni Matawalu   77'
FH 22 Teti Tela   72'
CE 23 Iosefo Masi   62'
Coach:
  Simon Raiwalui
 
FB 15 Manuel Cardoso Pinto   65'
RW 14 Raffaele Storti
OC 13 Pedro Bettencourt   61'   72'
IC 12 José Lima (c)   74'
LW 11 Rodrigo Marta
FH 10 Jerónimo Portela
SH 9 Samuel Marques
N8 8 Rafael Simões
OF 7 Nicolas Martins   69'
BF 6 David Wallis
RL 5 Steevy Cerqueira   77'
LL 4 José Madeira
TP 3 Diogo Hasse Ferreira   62'
HK 2 Mike Tadjer   74'
LP 1 Francisco Fernandes   57'
Replacements:
PR 16 David Costa   57'
HK 17 Duarte Diniz   74'
PR 18 Anthony Alves   62'
LK 19 Duarte Torgal   77'
FL 20 João Granate   69'
SH 21 João Bello
CE 22 Tomás Appleton   61'   72'   74'
WG 23 Vincent Pinto   65'
Coach:
  Patrice Lagisquet

Player of the Match:
Nicolas Martins (Portugal)[39]

Assistant referees:
Jaco Peyper (South Africa)[14]
Pierre Brousset (France)[14]
Television match official:
Brian MacNeice (Ireland)[40]

Notes:

  • This was the first ever meeting between these two nations at a World Cup.
  • This was Portugal's first ever World Cup victory, and their first ever victory over Fiji or any other Pacific Island nation.[41]
  • Portugal achieved their highest points total (24) and most tries scored (3) in a World Cup match.
  • Fiji qualified for the knockout stage of the World Cup for the first time since 2007, and just the third time in their history.[42]
  • Fiji became the first team since France in 2011 to progress to the knockout stage with only two wins in the pool stage.
  • With this result, Australia were eliminated at the pool stage of the World Cup for the first time.[43]


References edit

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  2. ^ "Men's Ranking". World Rugby. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
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  5. ^ Griffiths, Gareth (10 September 2023). "Warren Gatland's side survive late fightback". BBC Sport. Retrieved 12 September 2023.
  6. ^ Griffiths, Gareth (16 September 2023). "Warren Gatland's side struggle to World Cup win against impressive Portugal". BBC Sport. Retrieved 16 September 2023.
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  13. ^ Cartwright, Phil (8 October 2023). "England to face Fiji in Rugby World Cup quarter-final". BBC Sport. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
  14. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am "Rugby World Cup 2023 pool stage". World Rugby. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
  15. ^ "Donaldson stars as Australia beat Georgia 35-15 in Pool C opener". rugbyworldcup.com. Rugby World Cup. 9 September 2023. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
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  17. ^ "WAL 32-26 FIJ: Wales hold on to edge Fiji in classic". rugbyworldcup.com. Rugby World Cup. 10 September 2023. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
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  19. ^ "Tomos Williams set to win 50th Wales cap against Portugal". Cardiff Rugby. 13 September 2023. Retrieved 16 September 2023.
  20. ^ "Wales forced into late change against Portugal". Reuters. 16 September 2023. Retrieved 16 September 2023.
  21. ^ "UPDATED: Lagisquet makes two late changes - Portugal name team to play Wales". rugbyworldcup.com. Rugby World Cup. 15 September 2023. Retrieved 16 September 2023.
  22. ^ "AUS 15-22 FIJ: Fiji beat Australia for first time in 69 years". rugbyworldcup.com. Rugby World Cup. 17 September 2023. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
  23. ^ "UPDATED: Arnold in for captain Skelton – late second-row change for Australia against Fiji". rugbyworldcup.com. Rugby World Cup. 17 September 2023. Retrieved 18 September 2023.
  24. ^ "Simione Kuruvoli inspires Fiji to landmark World Cup win over Australia". www.theguardian.com. The Guardian. 17 September 2023. Retrieved 18 September 2023.
  25. ^ Decent, Tom (18 September 2023). "Wallabies' World Cup campaign in crisis as Fiji beat Australia for first time since 1954". Saint-Étienne: The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 17 September 2023. Retrieved 18 September 2023.
  26. ^ "GEO 18-18 POR: Portugal and Georgia serve up thriller". rugbyworldcup.com. Rugby World Cup. 23 September 2023. Retrieved 24 September 2023.
  27. ^ "Georgia bemoan second-half collapse against Portugal". Reuters. 23 September 2023. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
  28. ^ "WAL 40-6 AUS: Wales crush Australia to book quarter-final berth". rugbyworldcup.com. Rugby World Cup. 24 September 2023. Retrieved 24 September 2023.
  29. ^ "Wales 40-6 Australia: Record win sends Warren Gatland's side through to the World Cup knockouts". www.itv.com. ITV. 24 September 2023. Retrieved 24 September 2023.
  30. ^ "Wales 40-6 Australia: Wallabies fall to record-breaking Rugby World Cup defeat on dream night for the Welsh". www.standard.co.uk. Evening Standard. 24 September 2023. Retrieved 24 September 2023.
  31. ^ "Lock Beard to win 50th cap as Wales name side to face Wallabies". www.rugby.com.au. Rugby Australia. 22 September 2023. Retrieved 24 September 2023.
  32. ^ "Wallabies sink to new rankings low after dismal Rugby World Cup campaign". www.theguardian.com. The Guardian. 27 September 2023. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
  33. ^ "FJI 17-12 GEO: Fiji comeback puts them on brink of quarter-finals". rugbyworldcup.com. Rugby World Cup. 30 September 2023. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
  34. ^ "AUS 34-14 POR: Australia win but still face early exit". rugbyworldcup.com. Rugby World Cup. 1 October 2023. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  35. ^ "Carter Gordon ruled out of Wallabies' clash with Portugal". www.rugbypass.com. Rugby Pass. 1 October 2023. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
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  37. ^ "Rugby World Cup: Wales fly-half Gareth Anscombe out of Georgia game injured". www.bbc.co.uk. BBC Sport. 7 October 2023. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  38. ^ "Rugby World Cup: What next for Wales after topping pool?". www.itv.com. ITV. 8 October 2023. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
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  40. ^ "Emirates World Rugby Match Official appointment amendments". World Rugby. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
  41. ^ "Fiji squeeze into quarter-final against England despite defeat by Portugal". www.theguardian.com. The Guardian. 8 October 2023. Retrieved 9 October 2023.
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