2023 Rugby World Cup Pool C

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 downward-facing red arrow 57'
IC 12 Samu Kerevi downward-facing red arrow 40'
LW 11 Marika Koroibete
FH 10 Carter Gordon
SH 9 Tate McDermott downward-facing red arrow 35'
N8 8 Rob Valetini
OF 7 Fraser McReight
BF 6 Tom Hooper
RL 5 Will Skelton (c) downward-facing red arrow 69'
LL 4 Richie Arnold downward-facing red arrow 62'
TP 3 Taniela Tupou downward-facing red arrow 70'
HK 2 Dave Porecki downward-facing red arrow 59'
LP 1 Angus Bell downward-facing red arrow 50'
Replacements:
HK 16 Matt Faessler upward-facing green arrow 59'
PR 17 Blake Schoupp upward-facing green arrow 50'
PR 18 Zane Nonggorr upward-facing green arrow 70'
FL 19 Rob Leota upward-facing green arrow 62'
FL 20 Langi Gleeson upward-facing green arrow 69'
SH 21 Nic White upward-facing green arrow 35'
CE 22 Lalakai Foketi upward-facing green arrow 40'
WG 23 Suliasi Vunivalu upward-facing green arrow 57'
Coach:
Australia Eddie Jones
FB 15 Davit Niniashvili downward-facing red arrow 62'
RW 14 Aka Tabutsadze
OC 13 Demur Tapladze
IC 12 Merab Sharikadze (c)
LW 11 Mirian Modebadze Yellow card 42'
FH 10 Luka Matkava downward-facing red arrow 69'
SH 9 Vasil Lobzhanidze downward-facing red arrow 52'
N8 8 Beka Gorgadze
OF 7 Luka Ivanishvili
BF 6 Tornike Jalaghonia downward-facing red arrow 68'
RL 5 Konstantin Mikautadze downward-facing red arrow 59'
LL 4 Nodar Cheishvili
TP 3 Guram Papidze downward-facing red arrow 40'
HK 2 Shalva Mamukashvili downward-facing red arrow 63'
LP 1 Nika Abuladze downward-facing red arrow 52'
Replacements:
HK 16 Tengiz Zamtaradze upward-facing green arrow 63'
PR 17 Guram Gogichashvili upward-facing green arrow 52'
PR 18 Beka Gigashvili upward-facing green arrow 40'
LK 19 Lasha Jaiani upward-facing green arrow 59'
FL 20 Giorgi Tsutskiridze upward-facing green arrow 68'
SH 21 Gela Aprasidze upward-facing green arrow 52'
FH 22 Tedo Abzhandadze upward-facing green arrow 69'
CE 23 Giorgi Kveseladze upward-facing green arrow 62'
Coach:
Georgia (country) 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 downward-facing red arrow 59'
FH 10 Dan Biggar downward-facing red arrow 67'
SH 9 Gareth Davies downward-facing red arrow 38' upward-facing green arrow 41' downward-facing red arrow 52'
N8 8 Taulupe Faletau downward-facing red arrow 59'
OF 7 Jac Morgan (c)
BF 6 Aaron Wainwright downward-facing red arrow 70'
RL 5 Adam Beard downward-facing red arrow 59'
LL 4 Will Rowlands
TP 3 Tomas Francis downward-facing red arrow 63'
HK 2 Ryan Elias downward-facing red arrow 52'
LP 1 Gareth Thomas downward-facing red arrow 63' upward-facing green arrow 70'
Replacements:
HK 16 Elliot Dee upward-facing green arrow 52'
PR 17 Corey Domachowski Yellow card 68' upward-facing green arrow 63'
PR 18 Dillon Lewis upward-facing green arrow 63'
LK 19 Dafydd Jenkins upward-facing green arrow 59'
FL 20 Tommy Reffell upward-facing green arrow 59'
SH 21 Tomos Williams upward-facing green arrow 38' downward-facing red arrow 41' upward-facing green arrow 52'
FH 22 Sam Costelow upward-facing green arrow 67'
WG 23 Rio Dyer upward-facing green arrow 59'
Coach:
New Zealand Warren Gatland
FB 15 Ilaisa Droasese downward-facing red arrow 75'
RW 14 Selestino Ravutaumada
OC 13 Waisea Nayacalevu (c)
IC 12 Semi Radradra
LW 11 Vinaya Habosi downward-facing red arrow 52'
FH 10 Teti Tela
SH 9 Frank Lomani downward-facing red arrow 52'
N8 8 Viliame Mata
OF 7 Lekima Tagitagivalu Yellow card 65'
BF 6 Albert Tuisue downward-facing red arrow 59'
RL 5 Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta downward-facing red arrow 70'
LL 4 Isoa Nasilasila
TP 3 Luke Tagi downward-facing red arrow 67'
HK 2 Sam Matavesi downward-facing red arrow 67'
LP 1 Eroni Mawi downward-facing red arrow 57'
Replacements:
HK 16 Tevita Ikanivere upward-facing green arrow 67'
PR 17 Peni Ravai upward-facing green arrow 57'
PR 18 Mesake Doge upward-facing green arrow 67'
LK 19 Temo Mayanavanua upward-facing green arrow 70'
FL 20 Levani Botia upward-facing green arrow 59'
SH 21 Simione Kuruvoli upward-facing green arrow 52'
CE 22 Josua Tuisova upward-facing green arrow 52'
CE 23 Sireli Maqala upward-facing green arrow 75'
Coach:
Fiji 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 downward-facing red arrow 70'
RW 14 Louis Rees-Zammit
OC 13 Mason Grady
IC 12 Johnny Williams Yellow card 26'
LW 11 Rio Dyer
FH 10 Gareth Anscombe downward-facing red arrow 65'
SH 9 Tomos Williams downward-facing red arrow 65'
N8 8 Taulupe Faletau
OF 7 Jac Morgan
BF 6 Dan Lydiate downward-facing red arrow 54'
RL 5 Dafydd Jenkins downward-facing red arrow 51'
LL 4 Christ Tshiunza
TP 3 Dillon Lewis downward-facing red arrow 51'
HK 2 Dewi Lake (c) downward-facing red arrow 51'
LP 1 Nicky Smith downward-facing red arrow 51'
Replacements:
HK 16 Ryan Elias upward-facing green arrow 51'
PR 17 Corey Domachowski upward-facing green arrow 51'
PR 18 Tomas Francis upward-facing green arrow 51'
LK 19 Adam Beard upward-facing green arrow 51'
FL 20 Taine Basham upward-facing green arrow 54'
SH 21 Gareth Davies upward-facing green arrow 65'
FH 22 Sam Costelow upward-facing green arrow 65'
WG 23 Josh Adams upward-facing green arrow 70'
Coach:
New Zealand Warren Gatland
FB 15 Nuno Sousa Guedes downward-facing red arrow 70'
RW 14 Vincent Pinto Red card 77'
OC 13 José Lima downward-facing red arrow 57'
IC 12 Tomás Appleton (c)
LW 11 Rodrigo Marta
FH 10 Jerónimo Portela
SH 9 Samuel Marques downward-facing red arrow 74'
N8 8 Rafael Simões
OF 7 Nicolas Martins
BF 6 João Granate downward-facing red arrow 66'
RL 5 Steevy Cerqueira
LL 4 Martim Belo downward-facing red arrow 57'
TP 3 Anthony Alves downward-facing red arrow 55'
HK 2 Mike Tadjer downward-facing red arrow 78'
LP 1 Francisco Fernandes downward-facing red arrow 59'
Replacements:
HK 16 Lionel Campergue upward-facing green arrow 78'
PR 17 David Costa upward-facing green arrow 59'
PR 18 Diogo Hasse Ferreira upward-facing green arrow 55'
LK 19 Thibault de Freitas upward-facing green arrow 57'
FL 20 David Wallis upward-facing green arrow 66'
SH 21 Pedro Lucas upward-facing green arrow 74'
FH 22 Joris Moura upward-facing green arrow 70'
WG 23 Raffaele Storti upward-facing green arrow 57'
Coach:
France 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 downward-facing red arrow 66'
LW 11 Marika Koroibete
FH 10 Carter Gordon downward-facing red arrow 50'
SH 9 Nic White downward-facing red arrow 57'
N8 8 Rob Valetini
BF 7 Fraser McReight downward-facing red arrow 59'
OF 6 Tom Hooper
RL 5 Richie Arnold downward-facing red arrow 65'
LL 4 Nick Frost
TP 3 James Slipper downward-facing red arrow 57'
HK 2 Dave Porecki (c) downward-facing red arrow 59' upward-facing green arrow 65'
LP 1 Angus Bell downward-facing red arrow 79'
Replacements:
HK 16 Jordan Uelese upward-facing green arrow 59' downward-facing red arrow 65'
PR 17 Blake Schoupp upward-facing green arrow 79'
PR 18 Zane Nonggorr upward-facing green arrow 57'
LK 19 Matt Philip upward-facing green arrow 65'
FL 20 Rob Leota upward-facing green arrow 59'
SH 21 Issak Fines-Leleiwasa upward-facing green arrow 57'
CE 22 Lalakai Foketi upward-facing green arrow 66'
WG 23 Suliasi Vunivalu upward-facing green arrow 50'
Coach:
Australia Eddie Jones
FB 15 Ilaisa Droasese
RW 14 Jiuta Wainiqolo downward-facing red arrow 42'
OC 13 Waisea Nayacalevu (c)
IC 12 Josua Tuisova downward-facing red arrow 68'
LW 11 Semi Radradra
FH 10 Teti Tela
SH 9 Simione Kuruvoli downward-facing red arrow 47'
N8 8 Viliame Mata
OF 7 Levani Botia downward-facing red arrow 59'
BF 6 Lekima Tagitagivalu
RL 5 Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta
LL 4 Isoa Nasilasila downward-facing red arrow 66'
TP 3 Luke Tagi downward-facing red arrow 51' upward-facing green arrow 59'
HK 2 Sam Matavesi downward-facing red arrow 51'
LP 1 Eroni Mawi downward-facing red arrow 51'
Replacements:
HK 16 Tevita Ikanivere upward-facing green arrow 51'
PR 17 Peni Ravai upward-facing green arrow 51'
PR 18 Mesake Doge upward-facing green arrow 51' downward-facing red arrow 59'
LK 19 Temo Mayanavanua upward-facing green arrow 66'
FL 20 Albert Tuisue upward-facing green arrow 59'
SH 21 Frank Lomani upward-facing green arrow 47'
CE 22 Vilimoni Botitu upward-facing green arrow 68'
WG 23 Vinaya Habosi upward-facing green arrow 42'
Coach:
Fiji 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 downward-facing red arrow 67'
FH 10 Tedo Abzhandadze downward-facing red arrow 53'
SH 9 Gela Aprasidze downward-facing red arrow 59'
N8 8 Beka Gorgadze
OF 7 Beka Saghinadze downward-facing red arrow 70'
BF 6 Tornike Jalaghonia
RL 5 Konstantin Mikautadze downward-facing red arrow 55'
LL 4 Lado Chachanidze
TP 3 Beka Gigashvili downward-facing red arrow 59'
HK 2 Shalva Mamukashvili downward-facing red arrow 55'
LP 1 Mikheil Nariashvili downward-facing red arrow 51'
Replacements:
HK 16 Tengiz Zamtaradze upward-facing green arrow 55'
PR 17 Guram Gogichashvili upward-facing green arrow 51'
PR 18 Guram Papidze upward-facing green arrow 59'
LK 19 Nodar Cheishvili upward-facing green arrow 55'
FL 20 Giorgi Tsutskiridze upward-facing green arrow 70'
SH 21 Vasil Lobzhanidze upward-facing green arrow 59'
FH 22 Luka Matkava upward-facing green arrow 53'
WG 23 Demur Tapladze upward-facing green arrow 67'
Coach:
Georgia (country) 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 downward-facing red arrow 72'
N8 8 Rafael Simões downward-facing red arrow 59'
OF 7 Nicolas Martins
BF 6 João Granate downward-facing red arrow 42' upward-facing green arrow 45' downward-facing red arrow 59'
RL 5 Steevy Cerqueira downward-facing red arrow 66'
LL 4 José Madeira
TP 3 Diogo Hasse Ferreira downward-facing red arrow 80'
HK 2 Mike Tadjer downward-facing red arrow 69'
LP 1 Francisco Fernandes Yellow card 37' downward-facing red arrow 55' upward-facing green arrow 80'
Replacements:
PR 16 David Costa upward-facing green arrow 42' downward-facing red arrow 45' upward-facing green arrow 55'
HK 17 Lionel Campergue upward-facing green arrow 69'
PR 18 Anthony Alves
LK 19 Martim Belo upward-facing green arrow 66'
FL 20 David Wallis upward-facing green arrow 59'
FL 21 Thibault de Freitas upward-facing green arrow 59'
SH 22 Pedro Lucas upward-facing green arrow 72'
WG 23 Manuel Cardoso Pinto
Coach:
France 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 downward-facing red arrow 71'
OC 13 George North
IC 12 Nick Tompkins
LW 11 Josh Adams
FH 10 Dan Biggar downward-facing red arrow 12'
SH 9 Gareth Davies downward-facing red arrow 60'
N8 8 Taulupe Faletau
OF 7 Jac Morgan (c)
BF 6 Aaron Wainwright downward-facing red arrow 71'
RL 5 Adam Beard
LL 4 Will Rowlands downward-facing red arrow 71'
TP 3 Tomas Francis downward-facing red arrow 67'
HK 2 Ryan Elias downward-facing red arrow 67'
LP 1 Gareth Thomas downward-facing red arrow 67'
Replacements:
HK 16 Elliot Dee upward-facing green arrow 67'
PR 17 Corey Domachowski upward-facing green arrow 67'
PR 18 Henry Thomas upward-facing green arrow 67'
LK 19 Dafydd Jenkins upward-facing green arrow 71'
FL 20 Taine Basham upward-facing green arrow 71'
SH 21 Tomos Williams upward-facing green arrow 60'
FH 22 Gareth Anscombe upward-facing green arrow 12'
WG 23 Rio Dyer upward-facing green arrow 71'
Coach:
New Zealand Warren Gatland
FB 15 Andrew Kellaway downward-facing red arrow 60'
RW 14 Mark Nawaqanitawase
OC 13 Jordan Petaia
IC 12 Samu Kerevi
LW 11 Marika Koroibete
FH 10 Ben Donaldson downward-facing red arrow 53'
SH 9 Tate McDermott downward-facing red arrow 68'
N8 8 Rob Valetini
OF 7 Tom Hooper
BF 6 Rob Leota downward-facing red arrow 50'
RL 5 Richie Arnold downward-facing red arrow 66'
LL 4 Nick Frost
TP 3 James Slipper downward-facing red arrow 41'
HK 2 Dave Porecki (c) downward-facing red arrow 60'
LP 1 Angus Bell downward-facing red arrow 68'
Replacements:
HK 16 Matt Faessler upward-facing green arrow 60'
PR 17 Blake Schoupp upward-facing green arrow 68'
PR 18 Pone Fa'amausili upward-facing green arrow 41'
LK 19 Matt Philip upward-facing green arrow 66'
FL 20 Fraser McReight upward-facing green arrow 50'
SH 21 Nic White upward-facing green arrow 68'
FH 22 Carter Gordon upward-facing green arrow 53'
WG 23 Suliasi Vunivalu upward-facing green arrow 60'
Coach:
Australia 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 Yellow card 80'
LW 11 Semi Radradra Yellow card 41' downward-facing red arrow 60'
FH 10 Teti Tela
SH 9 Simione Kuruvoli downward-facing red arrow 48'
N8 8 Viliame Mata downward-facing red arrow 60'
OF 7 Levani Botia
BF 6 Lekima Tagitagivalu
RL 5 Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta downward-facing red arrow 65'
LL 4 Isoa Nasilasila
TP 3 Luke Tagi downward-facing red arrow 70'
HK 2 Sam Matavesi downward-facing red arrow 60'
LP 1 Eroni Mawi downward-facing red arrow 48'
Replacements:
HK 16 Tevita Ikanivere upward-facing green arrow 60'
PR 17 Peni Ravai upward-facing green arrow 48'
PR 18 Samu Tawake upward-facing green arrow 70'
LK 19 Temo Mayanavanua upward-facing green arrow 65'
N8 20 Albert Tuisue upward-facing green arrow 60'
SH 21 Frank Lomani upward-facing green arrow 48'
CE 22 Vilimoni Botitu
WG 23 Vinaya Habosi upward-facing green arrow 60'
Coach:
Fiji Simon Raiwalui
FB 15 Mirian Modebadze
RW 14 Aka Tabutsadze
OC 13 Demur Tapladze
IC 12 Giorgi Kveseladze
LW 11 Davit Niniashvili downward-facing red arrow 78'
FH 10 Luka Matkava
SH 9 Vasil Lobzhanidze downward-facing red arrow 59'
N8 8 Tornike Jalaghonia
OF 7 Beka Saghinadze downward-facing red arrow 66'
BF 6 Mikheil Gachechiladze
RL 5 Konstantin Mikautadze downward-facing red arrow 61' upward-facing green arrow 66'
LL 4 Lasha Jaiani downward-facing red arrow 17'
TP 3 Beka Gigashvili downward-facing red arrow 59'
HK 2 Tengiz Zamtaradze downward-facing red arrow 12'
LP 1 Mikheil Nariashvili (c) downward-facing red arrow 44'
Replacements:
HK 16 Luka Nioradze upward-facing green arrow 12'
PR 17 Nika Abuladze upward-facing green arrow 44'
PR 18 Irakli Aptsiauri upward-facing green arrow 59'
LK 19 Nodar Cheishvili upward-facing green arrow 17'
FL 20 Luka Ivanishvili upward-facing green arrow 61' downward-facing red arrow 71'
SH 21 Gela Aprasidze upward-facing green arrow 59'
FH 22 Tedo Abzhandadze upward-facing green arrow 78'
CE 23 Tornike Kakhoidze upward-facing green arrow 71'
Coach:
Georgia (country) 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 downward-facing red arrow 71'
RW 14 Mark Nawaqanitawase
OC 13 Izaia Perese downward-facing red arrow 56'
IC 12 Lalakai Foketi
LW 11 Marika Koroibete
FH 10 Ben Donaldson
SH 9 Tate McDermott downward-facing red arrow 71'
N8 8 Rob Valetini downward-facing red arrow 23' upward-facing green arrow 33'
OF 7 Fraser McReight downward-facing red arrow 60' upward-facing green arrow 71'
BF 6 Tom Hooper
RL 5 Richie Arnold downward-facing red arrow 78'
LL 4 Nick Frost downward-facing red arrow 41'
TP 3 James Slipper downward-facing red arrow 47' upward-facing green arrow 76'
HK 2 Dave Porecki (c) downward-facing red arrow 56' upward-facing green arrow 60' downward-facing red arrow 71'
LP 1 Angus Bell downward-facing red arrow 76'
Replacements:
HK 16 Matt Faessler Yellow card 60' upward-facing green arrow 56'
PR 17 Blake Schoupp upward-facing green arrow 76'
PR 18 Pone Fa'amausili upward-facing green arrow 47' downward-facing red arrow 76'
FL 19 Rob Leota upward-facing green arrow 23' downward-facing red arrow 33' upward-facing green arrow 41'
FL 20 Josh Kemeny upward-facing green arrow 78'
SH 21 Issak Fines-Leleiwasa upward-facing green arrow 71'
CE 22 Samu Kerevi Yellow card 62' upward-facing green arrow 56'
WG 23 Suliasi Vunivalu upward-facing green arrow 71'
Coach:
Australia Eddie Jones
FB 15 Nuno Sousa Guedes
RW 14 Raffaele Storti downward-facing red arrow 56'
OC 13 Pedro Bettencourt Yellow card 15'
IC 12 Tomás Appleton (c)
LW 11 Rodrigo Marta
FH 10 Jerónimo Portela downward-facing red arrow 76'
SH 9 Samuel Marques downward-facing red arrow 71'
N8 8 Thibault de Freitas downward-facing red arrow 41'
OF 7 Nicolas Martins
BF 6 David Wallis
RL 5 Martim Belo downward-facing red arrow 50'
LL 4 José Madeira
TP 3 Diogo Hasse Ferreira downward-facing red arrow 71'
HK 2 Mike Tadjer downward-facing red arrow 71'
LP 1 David Costa downward-facing red arrow 55'
Replacements:
PR 16 Francisco Fernandes upward-facing green arrow 55'
HK 17 Duarte Diniz upward-facing green arrow 71'
PR 18 Francisco Bruno upward-facing green arrow 71'
LK 19 Steevy Cerqueira upward-facing green arrow 50'
FL 20 Rafael Simões upward-facing green arrow 41'
SH 21 João Bello upward-facing green arrow 71'
FH 22 Joris Moura upward-facing green arrow 76'
WG 23 Manuel Cardoso Pinto upward-facing green arrow 56'
Coach:
France 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 downward-facing red arrow 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 downward-facing red arrow 60'
N8 8 Taulupe Faletau downward-facing red arrow 69'
OF 7 Tommy Reffell
BF 6 Aaron Wainwright downward-facing red arrow 69'
RL 5 Dafydd Jenkins
LL 4 Will Rowlands
TP 3 Tomas Francis downward-facing red arrow 52'
HK 2 Dewi Lake (c) downward-facing red arrow 52'
LP 1 Gareth Thomas downward-facing red arrow 52'
Replacements:
HK 16 Elliot Dee upward-facing green arrow 52'
PR 17 Nicky Smith upward-facing green arrow 52'
PR 18 Henry Thomas upward-facing green arrow 52'
LK 19 Christ Tshiunza upward-facing green arrow 69'
FL 20 Taine Basham Yellow card 71' upward-facing green arrow 69'
SH 21 Gareth Davies upward-facing green arrow 60'
FH 22 Dan Biggar
CE 23 Mason Grady upward-facing green arrow 69'
Coach:
New Zealand Warren Gatland
FB 15 Lasha Khmaladze downward-facing red arrow 41'
RW 14 Aka Tabutsadze
OC 13 Giorgi Kveseladze
IC 12 Merab Sharikadze (c)
LW 11 Davit Niniashvili Yellow card 71'
FH 10 Luka Matkava downward-facing red arrow 69'
SH 9 Vasil Lobzhanidze downward-facing red arrow 58'
N8 8 Tornike Jalaghonia
OF 7 Beka Saghinadze
BF 6 Mikheil Gachechiladze downward-facing red arrow 69'
RL 5 Konstantin Mikautadze downward-facing red arrow 49'
LL 4 Nodar Cheishvili
TP 3 Beka Gigashvili downward-facing red arrow 50'
HK 2 Shalva Mamukashvili downward-facing red arrow 41'
LP 1 Guram Gogichashvili downward-facing red arrow 41'
Replacements:
HK 16 Vano Karkadze upward-facing green arrow 41'
PR 17 Nika Abuladze upward-facing green arrow 41'
PR 18 Irakli Aptsiauri upward-facing green arrow 50'
LK 19 Lado Chachanidze upward-facing green arrow 49'
FL 20 Giorgi Tsutskiridze upward-facing green arrow 69'
SH 21 Gela Aprasidze upward-facing green arrow 58'
FH 22 Tedo Abzhandadze upward-facing green arrow 69'
CE 23 Demur Tapladze upward-facing green arrow 41'
Coach:
Georgia (country) 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 downward-facing red arrow 77'
OC 13 Waisea Nayacalevu (c) downward-facing red arrow 62'
IC 12 Josua Tuisova downward-facing red arrow 72'
LW 11 Vinaya Habosi
FH 10 Vilimoni Botitu
SH 9 Frank Lomani
N8 8 Viliame Mata downward-facing red arrow 72' upward-facing green arrow 80'
OF 7 Levani Botia Yellow card 50'
BF 6 Meli Derenalagi
RL 5 Temo Mayanavanua downward-facing red arrow 17'
LL 4 Isoa Nasilasila
TP 3 Luke Tagi downward-facing red arrow 61'
HK 2 Sam Matavesi downward-facing red arrow 61'
LP 1 Eroni Mawi downward-facing red arrow 61'
Replacements:
HK 16 Tevita Ikanivere upward-facing green arrow 61'
PR 17 Peni Ravai upward-facing green arrow 61'
PR 18 Mesake Doge upward-facing green arrow 61'
LK 19 Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta upward-facing green arrow 17' downward-facing red arrow 80'
FL 20 Albert Tuisue upward-facing green arrow 72'
SH 21 Ratu Peni Matawalu upward-facing green arrow 77'
FH 22 Teti Tela upward-facing green arrow 72'
CE 23 Iosefo Masi upward-facing green arrow 62'
Coach:
Fiji Simon Raiwalui
FB 15 Manuel Cardoso Pinto downward-facing red arrow 65'
RW 14 Raffaele Storti
OC 13 Pedro Bettencourt downward-facing red arrow 61' upward-facing green arrow 72'
IC 12 José Lima (c) downward-facing red arrow 74'
LW 11 Rodrigo Marta
FH 10 Jerónimo Portela
SH 9 Samuel Marques
N8 8 Rafael Simões
OF 7 Nicolas Martins downward-facing red arrow 69'
BF 6 David Wallis
RL 5 Steevy Cerqueira downward-facing red arrow 77'
LL 4 José Madeira
TP 3 Diogo Hasse Ferreira downward-facing red arrow 62'
HK 2 Mike Tadjer downward-facing red arrow 74'
LP 1 Francisco Fernandes downward-facing red arrow 57'
Replacements:
PR 16 David Costa upward-facing green arrow 57'
HK 17 Duarte Diniz upward-facing green arrow 74'
PR 18 Anthony Alves upward-facing green arrow 62'
LK 19 Duarte Torgal upward-facing green arrow 77'
FL 20 João Granate upward-facing green arrow 69'
SH 21 João Bello
CE 22 Tomás Appleton upward-facing green arrow 61' downward-facing red arrow 72' upward-facing green arrow 74'
WG 23 Vincent Pinto upward-facing green arrow 65'
Coach:
France 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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