RWC 2023 Pool C matches might be a case that ‘it’s anyone’s game to lose’. The pool promises to be exhilarating, as most of the teams have had mixed results in their recent test matches, making for somewhat of an unknown factor.
The Rugby World Cup (RWC) is a different environment though.
Fiji who have had a rather perfect run [four wins and one loss] leading up to this point, and are the form team to top the pool. Not that Wales or Australia will back down at the pinnacle World Rugby account. Georgia will also feel confident that they might be able to progress to the playoffs for the first time ever.
Winners of pool C will face the runners-up team from pool D, while winners in pool D face the runners-up in pool C, in what will be exciting match-ups before progressing further in the tournament.
The rankings of all teams were provided by World Rugby
RWC 2023 Pool C overview
Pool C consists of very competitive teams. Two-time RWC winners Australia, RWC 2019 semi-finalists Wales, Fiji, Georgia, and highly improving Portugal.
Low key Pool C is going to be a great pool with Georgia and Fiji real chances of upsetting Aus and Wales
I understand people are upset with the draw overall but I think these are the best pools ever for RWC from an entertainment/competitiveness perspective
— BallymoreKing (@BallymoreKing) August 19, 2023
How teams will line up in Pool C
Fiji (Ranked 7th)
The Flying Fijians head to the RWC 2023 with confidence having had a successful run in their test matches. Fiji has won four of their test matches and their solitary loss coming from RWC 2023 hosts France.
Fiji has proved that they are a force to reckon with since the 2019 event and look positively to top pool C. Coach Raiwalui settled on 24 debutants with no World Cup experience, and nine capped players to complement his 33-man squad.
Forwards: Eroni Mawi, Peni Ravai, Jone Koroiduadua, Mesake Doge, Luke Tagi, Samu Tawake, Tevita Ikanivere, Sam Matavesi, Zuriel Togiatama, Isoa Nasilasila, Temo Mayanavanua, Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, Albert Tuisue, Lekima Tagitagivalu, Levani Botia, Vilive Miramira, Meli Derenalagi, Viliame Mata.
Backs: Frank Lomani, Simi Kuruvoli, Peni Matawalu, Caleb Muntz, Teti Tela, Josua Tuisova, Semi Radradra, Waisea Nayacalevu (captain), Iosefo Masi, Selesitino Ravutaumada, Vinaya Habosi, Jiuta Wainiqolo, Kalaveti Ravouvou, Sireli Maqala, Ilaisa Droasese.
Australia (Ranked 9th)
The two-time RWC winners enter the competition in the wake of losing all their 2023 test matches. Wallabies coach Eddie Jones; who sent a shock wave following his inexperienced squad announcement, is ‘ever confident’ in his selection.
The Wallabies enter the competition with the hope of restoring their World rugby status. Jones has settled for a highly inexperienced squad for the Wallabies side with major omission. They consist of 25 debutants and 8 players who featured for the side in the previous RWC 2019.
READ MORE: Eddie Jones’ RWC squad includes a number of inexperienced Wallabies
Forwards: Angus Bell, Pone Fa’amausili, Zane Nonggorr, Blake Schoupp, James Slipper, Taniela Tupou, Matt Faessler, Dave Precki, Jordan Uelese, Richie Arnold, Nick Frost, Matt Philip, Will Skelton (captain), Langi Gleeson, Tom Hooper, Josh Kemeny, Rob Leota, Fraser McReight, Rob Valetini.
Backs: Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Tate McDermott, Nic White, Carter Gordon, Lalakai Foketi, Samu Kerevi, Izaia Perese, Jordan Petaia, Max Jorgensen, Andrew Kellaway, Marika Koroibete, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Suliasi Vunivalu, Ben Donaldson.
Wales (Ranked 10th)
RWC 2019 semifinalists and fourth-place finishers Wales head to this year’s competition in the wake of mixed results. Wales finished their Summer Series test matches with a record 52-16 loss to the hands of the Springboks.
Wales will be weary of their fellow Pool C rivals, though have little to lose by targeting to top their pool. Additionally, they will hope to replicate their performance in RWC 2019.
Head coach Warren Gatland has selected his 33-man squad who will be in action against Fiji in the opening clash for this Welsh group.
Forwards: Nicky Smith, Gareth Thomas, Corey Domachowski, Tomas Francis, Dillon Lewis, Henry Thomas, Dewi Lake (co-captain), Elliot Dee, Ryan Elias, Adam Beard, Dafydd Jenkins, Will Rowlands, Christ Tshiunza, Taine Basham, Dan Lydiate, Tommy Reffell, Jac Morgan (co-captain), Taulupe Faletau, Aaron Wainwright.
Backs: Gareth Davies, Tomos Williams, Gareth Anscombe, Dan Biggar, Sam Costelow, Johnny Williams, Nick Tompkins, Mason Grady, George North, Josh Adams, Rio Dyer, Louis Rees-Zammit, Leigh Halfpenny, Liam Williams.
Georgia (Ranked 11th)
The Lelos will be seeking to advance past the pool stage in this year’s RWC 2023. Georgia whose best finish was in RWC 2015 where they won only two pool matches are seeking to outdo their 2023 RWC Pool C opponents.
Head coach Maisashvili has settled on 19 forwards and 14 backs to represent the Lelos in the tournament. 15 of these players featured for the side in the previous World cup while 18 of them are debutants.
Forwards: Nika Abuladze, Beka Gigashvili, Guram Gogichashvili, Luka Japaridze, Mikheil Nariashvili, Guram Papidze, Shalva Mamukashvili, Luka Nioradze, Tengiz Zamtaradze, Vladimer Chachanidze, Nodar Cheishvili, Lasha Jaiani, Konstantine Mikautadze, Mikheil Gachechiladze, Beka Gorgadze, Luka Ivanishvili, Tornike Jalagonia, Beka Saginadze, Giorgi Tsutskiridze.
Backs: Gela Aprasidze, Vasil Lobzhanidze, Tengiz Peranidze, Tedo Abzhandadze, Luka Matkava, Demur Tapladze, Aleksandre Todua, Merab Sharikadze (captain), Tornike Kakhoidze, Modebadze Mirian, Akaki Tabutsadze, Davit Niniashvili, Lasha Khmaladze, Giorgi Kveseladze.
Portugal (Ranked 16th)
The Oslobos qualified for the 20th and final position for the RWC 2023 in France after winning the World Rugby repechage in Dubai. The 33-man squad is made up entirely of debutants, as there is a 16-year gap since they last took part in the tournament [2007].
Despite being viewed as the underdogs, the Oslobos will be keen to pull up some upsets to their fellow pool C opponents.Patrice Lagisquet has settled on his 33 man squad with 17 of them playing in France and hopes they will bring a different shift to the team.
Forwards: António Machado Santos, David Costa, Diogo Hasse Ferreira, Francisco Fernandes, Francisco Bruno, Anthony Alves, Duarte Diniz, Lionel Campergue, Mike Tadjer, Duarte Torgal, José Madeira, José Maria Rebelo Andrade, Steevy Cerqueira, Martim Belo, Nicolas Martins, Rafael Simões, João Granate, Thibault de Freitas, David Wallis.
Backs: João Belo, Pedro Lucas, Samuel Marques, Jerónimo Portela, Joris Moura, José Lima, Tomás Appleton (captain), Pedro Bettencourt, Rodrigo Marta, Vincent Pinto, Manuel Cardoso Pinto, Raffaele Storti, Nuno Sousa Guedes, Simão Bento.
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Teams within this group are currently ranked closely in the World Rugby table, showing how competitive the pool will be. It is hard to determine who will proceed from the pool stage with each team trying to make a statement.
READ MORE: RWC 2023 Pool D: All system go as they announce their squads
The pool C opening match is a mouth-watering clash between Australia and Georgia followed by Wales against the Flying Fijians on the following day. This will set the tempo for the ‘top-position battle’ for the pool.
RWC 2023 Pool C fixtures list:
De belles surprises à prévoir dans la Poule C de la #RWC2023 ?
—
Nice surprises to be expected in Pool C of Rugby World Cup France 2023 ? pic.twitter.com/eHweYQoKPa— Rugby World Cup France 2023 (@France2023) May 12, 2023
9 September Australia v Georgia Stade de France, Paris
10 September Wales v Fiji Stade de Bordeaux, Bordeaux
16 September Wales v Portugal Stade de Nice, Nice
17 September Australia v Fiji Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, Saint-Étienne
23 September Georgia v Portugal, Stadium de Toulouse, Toulouse
24 September Wales v Australia Parc OL, Lyon
30 September Fiji v Georgia Stade de Bordeaux, Bordeaux
1 October Australia v Portugal Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, Saint-Étienne
7 October Wales v Georgia Stade de la Beaujoire, Nantes
8 October Fiji v Portugal Stadium de Toulouse, Toulouse
The 2023 Rugby World Cup knockout matches begin October 15, with the Cup final scheduled for Sunday, October 29 at Stade de France, in Paris.
Photo credit: PAULMAXWELL on Wikimedia, CC BY-SA 4.0
