2023 Rugby World Cup Pool C
Pool C of the 2023 Rugby World Cup began on 9 September 2023. The pool includes two-times Champions Australia, and automatic qualifiers Wales and Fiji. They are 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
| 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
- ^ The rankings of 1 January 2020 were used for seeding for the final draw.
- ^ 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]
- ^ 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
Pool C went 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]
Standings
Template:2023 Rugby World Cup Pool C
In the quarter-finals:
- The winners of Pool C will advance to play the runners-up of Pool D.
- The runners-up of Pool C will advance to play England, the winners of Pool D.
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' | Report | Try: 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)[10] |
         Australia
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    Georgia
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Player of the Match:
Assistant referees:
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Notes:
- Taniela Tupou (Australia) earned his 50th test cap.
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' | Report | Try: Nayacalevu 14' c Tagitagivalu 17' c Tuisova 73' c Doge 78' m Con: Lomani (2/2) 15', 18' Tela (1/2) 73' |
| Stade de Bordeaux, Bordeaux Attendance: 41,274 Referee: Matthew Carley (England)[10] |
  Wales
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    Fiji
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Player of the Match:
Assistant referees:
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Wales vs Portugal
| 16 September 2023 17:45 CEST (UTC+2) |
| (1 BP) Wales | 28–8 | Portugal |
| Try: Rees-Zammit 9' c Lake 43' c Morgan 56' c Faletau 83' c Con: Halfpenny (3/3) 10', 44', 57' Costelow (1/1) 83' | Report | Try: Martins 63' m Pen: Marques (1/3) 37' |
| Stade de Nice, Nice Attendance: 28,700 Referee: Karl Dickson (England)[10] |
     Wales
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   Portugal
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Player of the Match:
Assistant referees:
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Notes:
- This was the first ever meeting between these two sides at a World Cup. However, they did previously meet in a World Cup qualifying competition.
- Tomos Williams (Wales) earned his 50th test cap.[14]
- Tommy Reffell (Wales) was originally named in the starting line-up, but he withdrew during the match-day warm-up, to be replaced by Jac Morgan.[15]
- José Madeira (Portugal) was originally named in the starting line-up, but he was replaced the day before the game by Martim Belo, whose place on the bench was taken by Thibault de Freitas.[16]
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' | Report | Try: 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)[10] |
Australia
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Fiji
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Player of the Match:
Assistant referees:
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Notes:
- Captain Will Skelton was originally named at lock for Australia, but failed a fitness test before the game and was replaced in the starting line-up by Richie Arnold, whose place on the bench was taken by Matt Philip. Dave Porecki replaced Skelton as captain.[18]
- This was Fiji's first victory over Australia at the Rugby World Cup, and their first since an 18–16 away win in 1954.[19]
- This was Fiji's largest victory over Australia.[20]
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' | Report | Try: 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)[10] |
Georgia
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Portugal
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Player of the Match:
Assistant referees:
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Notes:
- This was the first ever meeting between these two sides at a World Cup.
- This was the first draw in a World Cup match since Canada and Japan drew 23–all in 2011.
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' | Report | Pen: Donaldson (2/2) 9', 14' |
| Parc Olympique Lyonnais, Décines-Charpieu Attendance: 55,296 Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)[10] |
 Wales
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Australia
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Player of the Match:
Assistant referees:
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Notes:
- This was Wales' largest ever victory over Australia, for both total points scored and overall winning margin.[23]
- This was Australia's largest defeat in a World Cup match (by margin). It was also the first time they had lost two matches in the World Cup pool stages.[24]
- Adam Beard (Wales) earned his 50th test cap.[25]
- With this loss, Australia dropped to 10th place in the World Rugby Rankings – their lowest placement in history.[26]
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' | Pen: Matkava (2/2) 5', 80' Niniashvili (2/2) 19', 31' |
| Stade de Bordeaux, Bordeaux Referee: Karl Dickson (England)[10] |
Fiji
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Georgia
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Player of the Match:
Assistant referees:
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Notes:
- Irakli Aptsiauri (Georgia) made his international debut.
Australia vs Portugal
| 1 October 2023 17:45 CEST (UTC+2) |
| Australia | v | Portugal |
| Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, Saint-Étienne Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia)[10] |
Australia
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   Portugal
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Assistant referees:
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Notes:
- This is the first ever meeting between these two sides at a World Cup.
Wales vs Georgia
| 7 October 2023 15:00 CEST (UTC+2) |
| Wales | v | Georgia |
| Stade de la Beaujoire, Nantes Referee: Mathieu Raynal (France)[10] |
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Assistant referees:
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Fiji vs Portugal
| 8 October 2023 21:00 CEST (UTC+2) |
| Fiji | v | Portugal |
| Stadium de Toulouse, Toulouse Referee: Luke Pearce (England)[10] |
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Assistant referees:
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Notes:
- This is the first ever meeting between these two sides at a World Cup.
References
- ^ "Hosts France to face New Zealand in blockbuster RWC 2023 opening match". 26 February 2021. Retrieved 17 July 2021.
- ^ "Men's Ranking". World Rugby. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
- ^ a b "Stage set for Rugby World Cup 2023 Draw". World Rugby. 2 October 2020. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
- ^ Henson, Mike (9 September 2023). "Wallabies begin World Cup bid with first win since Eddie Jones' return". BBC Sport. Retrieved 12 September 2023.
- ^ Griffiths, Gareth (10 September 2023). "Warren Gatland's side survive late fightback". BBC Sport. Retrieved 12 September 2023.
- ^ Griffiths, Gareth (16 September 2023). "Warren Gatland's side struggle to World Cup win against impressive Portugal". BBC Sport. Retrieved 16 September 2023.
- ^ Rindl, Joe (17 September 2023). "Flying Fijians beat the Wallabies for the first time at Rugby World Cup". BBC Sport. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
- ^ Rostance, Tom (23 September 2023). "Portugal miss out on historic Rugby World Cup win in dramatic finish". BBC Sport. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
- ^ Griffiths, Gareth (24 September 2023). "Warren Gatland's side hammer Wallabies to seal World Cup quarter-final spot". BBC Sport. Retrieved 24 September 2023.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Donaldson stars as Australia beat Georgia 35-15 in Pool C opener". rugbyworldcup.com. Rugby World Cup. 9 September 2023. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
- ^ "WAL 32-26 FIJ: Wales hold on to edge Fiji in classic". rugbyworldcup.com. Rugby World Cup. 10 September 2023. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
- ^ "Wales v Portugal - Catch up on all the action _ Rugby World Cup 2023". rugbyworldcup.com. Rugby World Cup. 16 September 2023. Retrieved 16 September 2023.
- ^ "Tomos Williams set to win 50th Wales cap against Portugal". Cardiff Rugby. 13 September 2023. Retrieved 16 September 2023.
- ^ "Wales forced into late change against Portugal". Reuters. 16 September 2023. Retrieved 16 September 2023.
- ^ "UPDATED: Lagisquet makes two late changes - Portugal name team to play Wales". rugbyworldcup.com. Rugby World Cup. 15 September 2023. Retrieved 16 September 2023.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Simione Kuruvoli inspires Fiji to landmark World Cup win over Australia". The Guardian. 17 September 2023. Retrieved 18 September 2023.
- ^ Decent, Tom (18 September 2023). "Wallabies' World Cup campaign in crisis as Fiji beat Australia for first time since 1954". The Sydney Morning Herald. Saint-Étienne: Nine Entertainment. Archived from the original on 17 September 2023. Retrieved 18 September 2023.
- ^ "GEO 18-18 POR: Portugal and Georgia serve up thriller". rugbyworldcup.com. Rugby World Cup. 23 September 2023. Retrieved 24 September 2023.
- ^ "WAL 40-6 AUS: Wales crush Australia to book quarter-final berth". rugbyworldcup.com. Rugby World Cup. 24 September 2023. Retrieved 24 September 2023.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Wallabies sink to new rankings low after dismal Rugby World Cup campaign". www.theguardian.com. The Guardian. 27 September 2023. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
- ^ "Emirates World Rugby Match Official appointment amendments". World Rugby. Retrieved 28 September 2023.