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

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. 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'	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) [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:

• Taniela Tupou (Australia) earned his 50th test cap. ^[16]

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'

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

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'	Report	Try: 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

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) [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:

• Captain Will Skelton was originally named at lock for Australia, but failed a fitness test prior to the match. He was replaced in the starting line-up by Richie Arnold, whose place on the bench was taken by Matt Philip. The Wallabies captaincy was handed over to Dave Porecki. ^[23]
• This was Fiji's first victory over Australia at the Rugby World Cup, and their first since an 18–16 away win in 1954. ^[24]
• This was Fiji's largest victory over Australia. ^[25]

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) [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

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) [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:

• This was Wales' largest ever victory over Australia, for both total points scored and overall winning margin. ^[29]
• 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. ^[30]
• Adam Beard (Wales) earned his 50th test cap. ^[31]
• With this loss, Australia dropped to 10th place in the World Rugby Rankings – their lowest placement in history. ^[32]

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'	Report	Pen: 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:

• Irakli Aptsiauri (Georgia) made his international debut.

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'	Report	Try: 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

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'	Report	Try: 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

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'	Report	Try: 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]

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