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]

Main article: 2023 Rugby World Cup

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
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 Wales1EuropeTop 3 in 2019 RWC pool9 October 201910th2019Third place (1987)410
C2 Australia2OceaniaTop 3 in 2019 RWC pool9 October 201910th2019Winners (1991, 1999)69
C3 Fiji3OceaniaTop 3 in 2019 RWC pool11 October 20199th2019Quarter-finals (1987, 2007)117
C4 Georgia4[nb 2]EuropeEurope 110 March 20226th2019Pool stage (2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019)14[nb 2]11
C5 Portugal5[nb 3]EuropeFinal Qualifier18 November 20222nd2007Pool stage (2007)24[nb 3]16

Notes

  1. The rankings of 1 January 2020 were used for seeding for the final draw.
  2. 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. 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

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

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[lower-alpha 1]
3  Australia 4 2 0 2 90 91 −1 11 8 3 11[lower-alpha 1] 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. Head-to-head: Australia 15–22 Fiji

Matches

Australia vs Georgia

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
FB15Ben Donaldson
RW14Mark Nawaqanitawase
OC13Jordan Petaia 57'
IC12Samu Kerevi 40'
LW11Marika Koroibete
FH10Carter Gordon
SH9Tate McDermott 35'
N88Rob Valetini
OF7Fraser McReight
BF6Tom Hooper
RL5Will Skelton (c) 69'
LL4Richie Arnold 62'
TP3Taniela Tupou 70'
HK2Dave Porecki 59'
LP1Angus Bell 50'
Replacements:
HK16Matt Faessler 59'
PR17Blake Schoupp 50'
PR18Zane Nonggorr 70'
FL19Rob Leota 62'
FL20Langi Gleeson 69'
SH21Nic White 35'
CE22Lalakai Foketi 40'
WG23Suliasi Vunivalu 57'
Coach:
Eddie Jones
FB15Davit Niniashvili 62'
RW14Aka Tabutsadze
OC13Demur Tapladze
IC12Merab Sharikadze (c)
LW11Mirian Modebadze 42'
FH10Luka Matkava 69'
SH9Vasil Lobzhanidze 52'
N88Beka Gorgadze
OF7Luka Ivanishvili
BF6Tornike Jalaghonia 68'
RL5Konstantin Mikautadze 59'
LL4Nodar Cheishvili
TP3Guram Papidze 40'
HK2Shalva Mamukashvili 63'
LP1Nika Abuladze 52'
Replacements:
HK16Tengiz Zamtaradze 63'
PR17Guram Gogichashvili 52'
PR18Beka Gigashvili 40'
LK19Lasha Jaiani 59'
FL20Giorgi Tsutskiridze 68'
SH21Gela Aprasidze 52'
FH22Tedo Abzhandadze 69'
CE23Giorgi 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

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
FB15Liam Williams
RW14Louis Rees-Zammit
OC13George North
IC12Nick Tompkins
LW11Josh Adams 59'
FH10Dan Biggar 67'
SH9Gareth Davies 38' 41' 52'
N88Taulupe Faletau 59'
OF7Jac Morgan (c)
BF6Aaron Wainwright 70'
RL5Adam Beard 59'
LL4Will Rowlands
TP3Tomas Francis 63'
HK2Ryan Elias 52'
LP1Gareth Thomas 63' 70'
Replacements:
HK16Elliot Dee 52'
PR17Corey Domachowski 68' 63'
PR18Dillon Lewis 63'
LK19Dafydd Jenkins 59'
FL20Tommy Reffell 59'
SH21Tomos Williams 38' 41' 52'
FH22Sam Costelow 67'
WG23Rio Dyer 59'
Coach:
Warren Gatland
FB15Ilaisa Droasese 75'
RW14Selestino Ravutaumada
OC13Waisea Nayacalevu (c)
IC12Semi Radradra
LW11Vinaya Habosi 52'
FH10Teti Tela
SH9Frank Lomani 52'
N88Viliame Mata
OF7Lekima Tagitagivalu 65'
BF6Albert Tuisue 59'
RL5Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta 70'
LL4Isoa Nasilasila
TP3Luke Tagi 67'
HK2Sam Matavesi 67'
LP1Eroni Mawi 57'
Replacements:
HK16Tevita Ikanivere 67'
PR17Peni Ravai 57'
PR18Mesake Doge 67'
LK19Temo Mayanavanua 70'
FL20Levani Botia 59'
SH21Simione Kuruvoli 52'
CE22Josua Tuisova 52'
CE23Sireli 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

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
FB15Leigh Halfpenny 70'
RW14Louis Rees-Zammit
OC13Mason Grady
IC12Johnny Williams 26'
LW11Rio Dyer
FH10Gareth Anscombe 65'
SH9Tomos Williams 65'
N88Taulupe Faletau
OF7Jac Morgan
BF6Dan Lydiate 54'
RL5Dafydd Jenkins 51'
LL4Christ Tshiunza
TP3Dillon Lewis 51'
HK2Dewi Lake (c) 51'
LP1Nicky Smith 51'
Replacements:
HK16Ryan Elias 51'
PR17Corey Domachowski 51'
PR18Tomas Francis 51'
LK19Adam Beard 51'
FL20Taine Basham 54'
SH21Gareth Davies 65'
FH22Sam Costelow 65'
WG23Josh Adams 70'
Coach:
Warren Gatland
FB15Nuno Sousa Guedes 70'
RW14Vincent Pinto 77'
OC13José Lima 57'
IC12Tomás Appleton (c)
LW11Rodrigo Marta
FH10Jerónimo Portela
SH9Samuel Marques 74'
N88Rafael Simões
OF7Nicolas Martins
BF6João Granate 66'
RL5Steevy Cerqueira
LL4Martim Belo 57'
TP3Anthony Alves 55'
HK2Mike Tadjer 78'
LP1Francisco Fernandes 59'
Replacements:
HK16Lionel Campergue 78'
PR17David Costa 59'
PR18Diogo Hasse Ferreira 55'
LK19Thibault de Freitas 57'
FL20David Wallis 66'
SH21Pedro Lucas 74'
FH22Joris Moura 70'
WG23Raffaele 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

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
FB15Ben Donaldson
RW14Mark Nawaqanitawase
OC13Jordan Petaia
IC12Samu Kerevi 66'
LW11Marika Koroibete
FH10Carter Gordon 50'
SH9Nic White 57'
N88Rob Valetini
BF7Fraser McReight 59'
OF6Tom Hooper
RL5Richie Arnold 65'
LL4Nick Frost
TP3James Slipper 57'
HK2Dave Porecki (c) 59' 65'
LP1Angus Bell 79'
Replacements:
HK16Jordan Uelese 59' 65'
PR17Blake Schoupp 79'
PR18Zane Nonggorr 57'
LK19Matt Philip 65'
FL20Rob Leota 59'
SH21Issak Fines-Leleiwasa 57'
CE22Lalakai Foketi 66'
WG23Suliasi Vunivalu 50'
Coach:
Eddie Jones
FB15Ilaisa Droasese
RW14Jiuta Wainiqolo 42'
OC13Waisea Nayacalevu (c)
IC12Josua Tuisova 68'
LW11Semi Radradra
FH10Teti Tela
SH9Simione Kuruvoli 47'
N88Viliame Mata
OF7Levani Botia 59'
BF6Lekima Tagitagivalu
RL5Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta
LL4Isoa Nasilasila 66'
TP3Luke Tagi 51' 59'
HK2Sam Matavesi 51'
LP1Eroni Mawi 51'
Replacements:
HK16Tevita Ikanivere 51'
PR17Peni Ravai 51'
PR18Mesake Doge 51' 59'
LK19Temo Mayanavanua 66'
FL20Albert Tuisue 59'
SH21Frank Lomani 47'
CE22Vilimoni Botitu 68'
WG23Vinaya 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

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
FB15Davit Niniashvili
RW14Aka Tabutsadze
OC13Giorgi Kveseladze
IC12Merab Sharikadze (c)
LW11Alexander Todua 67'
FH10Tedo Abzhandadze 53'
SH9Gela Aprasidze 59'
N88Beka Gorgadze
OF7Beka Saghinadze 70'
BF6Tornike Jalaghonia
RL5Konstantin Mikautadze 55'
LL4Lado Chachanidze
TP3Beka Gigashvili 59'
HK2Shalva Mamukashvili 55'
LP1Mikheil Nariashvili 51'
Replacements:
HK16Tengiz Zamtaradze 55'
PR17Guram Gogichashvili 51'
PR18Guram Papidze 59'
LK19Nodar Cheishvili 55'
FL20Giorgi Tsutskiridze 70'
SH21Vasil Lobzhanidze 59'
FH22Luka Matkava 53'
WG23Demur Tapladze 67'
Coach:
Levan Maisashvili
FB15Nuno Sousa Guedes
RW14Raffaele Storti
OC13Pedro Bettencourt
IC12Tomás Appleton (c)
LW11Rodrigo Marta
FH10Jerónimo Portela
SH9Samuel Marques 72'
N88Rafael Simões 59'
OF7Nicolas Martins
BF6João Granate 42' 45' 59'
RL5Steevy Cerqueira 66'
LL4José Madeira
TP3Diogo Hasse Ferreira 80'
HK2Mike Tadjer 69'
LP1Francisco Fernandes 37' 55' 80'
Replacements:
PR16David Costa 42' 45' 55'
HK17Lionel Campergue 69'
PR18Anthony Alves
LK19Martim Belo 66'
FL20David Wallis 59'
FL21Thibault de Freitas 59'
SH22Pedro Lucas 72'
WG23Manuel 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

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
FB15Liam Williams
RW14Louis Rees-Zammit 71'
OC13George North
IC12Nick Tompkins
LW11Josh Adams
FH10Dan Biggar 12'
SH9Gareth Davies 60'
N88Taulupe Faletau
OF7Jac Morgan (c)
BF6Aaron Wainwright 71'
RL5Adam Beard
LL4Will Rowlands 71'
TP3Tomas Francis 67'
HK2Ryan Elias 67'
LP1Gareth Thomas 67'
Replacements:
HK16Elliot Dee 67'
PR17Corey Domachowski 67'
PR18Henry Thomas 67'
LK19Dafydd Jenkins 71'
FL20Taine Basham 71'
SH21Tomos Williams 60'
FH22Gareth Anscombe 12'
WG23Rio Dyer 71'
Coach:
Warren Gatland
FB15Andrew Kellaway 60'
RW14Mark Nawaqanitawase
OC13Jordan Petaia
IC12Samu Kerevi
LW11Marika Koroibete
FH10Ben Donaldson 53'
SH9Tate McDermott 68'
N88Rob Valetini
OF7Tom Hooper
BF6Rob Leota 50'
RL5Richie Arnold 66'
LL4Nick Frost
TP3James Slipper 41'
HK2Dave Porecki (c) 60'
LP1Angus Bell 68'
Replacements:
HK16Matt Faessler 60'
PR17Blake Schoupp 68'
PR18Pone Fa'amausili 41'
LK19Matt Philip 66'
FL20Fraser McReight 50'
SH21Nic White 68'
FH22Carter Gordon 53'
WG23Suliasi 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

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
FB15Ilaisa Droasese
RW14Selestino Ravutaumada
OC13Waisea Nayacalevu (c)
IC12Josua Tuisova 80'
LW11Semi Radradra 41' 60'
FH10Teti Tela
SH9Simione Kuruvoli 48'
N88Viliame Mata 60'
OF7Levani Botia
BF6Lekima Tagitagivalu
RL5Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta 65'
LL4Isoa Nasilasila
TP3Luke Tagi 70'
HK2Sam Matavesi 60'
LP1Eroni Mawi 48'
Replacements:
HK16Tevita Ikanivere 60'
PR17Peni Ravai 48'
PR18Samu Tawake 70'
LK19Temo Mayanavanua 65'
N820Albert Tuisue 60'
SH21Frank Lomani 48'
CE22Vilimoni Botitu
WG23Vinaya Habosi 60'
Coach:
Simon Raiwalui
FB15Mirian Modebadze
RW14Aka Tabutsadze
OC13Demur Tapladze
IC12Giorgi Kveseladze
LW11Davit Niniashvili 78'
FH10Luka Matkava
SH9Vasil Lobzhanidze 59'
N88Tornike Jalaghonia
OF7Beka Saghinadze 66'
BF6Mikheil Gachechiladze
RL5Konstantin Mikautadze 61' 66'
LL4Lasha Jaiani 17'
TP3Beka Gigashvili 59'
HK2Tengiz Zamtaradze 12'
LP1Mikheil Nariashvili (c) 44'
Replacements:
HK16Luka Nioradze 12'
PR17Nika Abuladze 44'
PR18Irakli Aptsiauri 59'
LK19Nodar Cheishvili 17'
FL20Luka Ivanishvili 61' 71'
SH21Gela Aprasidze 59'
FH22Tedo Abzhandadze 78'
CE23Tornike 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

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
FB15Andrew Kellaway 71'
RW14Mark Nawaqanitawase
OC13Izaia Perese 56'
IC12Lalakai Foketi
LW11Marika Koroibete
FH10Ben Donaldson
SH9Tate McDermott 71'
N88Rob Valetini 23' 33'
OF7Fraser McReight 60' 71'
BF6Tom Hooper
RL5Richie Arnold 78'
LL4Nick Frost 41'
TP3James Slipper 47' 76'
HK2Dave Porecki (c) 56' 60' 71'
LP1Angus Bell 76'
Replacements:
HK16Matt Faessler 60' 56'
PR17Blake Schoupp 76'
PR18Pone Fa'amausili 47' 76'
FL19Rob Leota 23' 33' 41'
FL20Josh Kemeny 78'
SH21Issak Fines-Leleiwasa 71'
CE22Samu Kerevi 62' 56'
WG23Suliasi Vunivalu 71'
Coach:
Eddie Jones
FB15Nuno Sousa Guedes
RW14Raffaele Storti 56'
OC13Pedro Bettencourt 15'
IC12Tomás Appleton (c)
LW11Rodrigo Marta
FH10Jerónimo Portela 76'
SH9Samuel Marques 71'
N88Thibault de Freitas 41'
OF7Nicolas Martins
BF6David Wallis
RL5Martim Belo 50'
LL4José Madeira
TP3Diogo Hasse Ferreira 71'
HK2Mike Tadjer 71'
LP1David Costa 55'
Replacements:
PR16Francisco Fernandes 55'
HK17Duarte Diniz 71'
PR18Francisco Bruno 71'
LK19Steevy Cerqueira 50'
FL20Rafael Simões 41'
SH21João Bello 71'
FH22Joris Moura 76'
WG23Manuel 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

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
FB15Liam Williams 69'
RW14Louis Rees-Zammit
OC13George North
IC12Nick Tompkins
LW11Rio Dyer
FH10Sam Costelow
SH9Tomos Williams 60'
N88Taulupe Faletau 69'
OF7Tommy Reffell
BF6Aaron Wainwright 69'
RL5Dafydd Jenkins
LL4Will Rowlands
TP3Tomas Francis 52'
HK2Dewi Lake (c) 52'
LP1Gareth Thomas 52'
Replacements:
HK16Elliot Dee 52'
PR17Nicky Smith 52'
PR18Henry Thomas 52'
LK19Christ Tshiunza 69'
FL20Taine Basham 71' 69'
SH21Gareth Davies 60'
FH22Dan Biggar
CE23Mason Grady 69'
Coach:
Warren Gatland
FB15Lasha Khmaladze 41'
RW14Aka Tabutsadze
OC13Giorgi Kveseladze
IC12Merab Sharikadze (c)
LW11Davit Niniashvili 71'
FH10Luka Matkava 69'
SH9Vasil Lobzhanidze 58'
N88Tornike Jalaghonia
OF7Beka Saghinadze
BF6Mikheil Gachechiladze 69'
RL5Konstantin Mikautadze 49'
LL4Nodar Cheishvili
TP3Beka Gigashvili 50'
HK2Shalva Mamukashvili 41'
LP1Guram Gogichashvili 41'
Replacements:
HK16Vano Karkadze 41'
PR17Nika Abuladze 41'
PR18Irakli Aptsiauri 50'
LK19Lado Chachanidze 49'
FL20Giorgi Tsutskiridze 69'
SH21Gela Aprasidze 58'
FH22Tedo Abzhandadze 69'
CE23Demur 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

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
FB15Sireli Maqala
RW14Selestino Ravutaumada 77'
OC13Waisea Nayacalevu (c) 62'
IC12Josua Tuisova 72'
LW11Vinaya Habosi
FH10Vilimoni Botitu
SH9Frank Lomani
N88Viliame Mata 72' 80'
OF7Levani Botia 50'
BF6Meli Derenalagi
RL5Temo Mayanavanua 17'
LL4Isoa Nasilasila
TP3Luke Tagi 61'
HK2Sam Matavesi 61'
LP1Eroni Mawi 61'
Replacements:
HK16Tevita Ikanivere 61'
PR17Peni Ravai 61'
PR18Mesake Doge 61'
LK19Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta 17' 80'
FL20Albert Tuisue 72'
SH21Ratu Peni Matawalu 77'
FH22Teti Tela 72'
CE23Iosefo Masi 62'
Coach:
Simon Raiwalui
FB15Manuel Cardoso Pinto 65'
RW14Raffaele Storti
OC13Pedro Bettencourt 61' 72'
IC12José Lima (c) 74'
LW11Rodrigo Marta
FH10Jerónimo Portela
SH9Samuel Marques
N88Rafael Simões
OF7Nicolas Martins 69'
BF6David Wallis
RL5Steevy Cerqueira 77'
LL4José Madeira
TP3Diogo Hasse Ferreira 62'
HK2Mike Tadjer 74'
LP1Francisco Fernandes 57'
Replacements:
PR16David Costa 57'
HK17Duarte Diniz 74'
PR18Anthony Alves 62'
LK19Duarte Torgal 77'
FL20João Granate 69'
SH21João Bello
CE22Tomás Appleton 61' 72' 74'
WG23Vincent 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
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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.
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  10. Mann, Mantej (30 September 2023). "Below-par Pacific Islanders close in on World Cup quarter-finals". BBC Sport. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
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  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.
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  27. "Georgia bemoan second-half collapse against Portugal". Reuters. 23 September 2023. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
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  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.
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