# 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).
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 | World Rugby Rankings |
| Pos. | Team | Band | Confederation | Method of qualification | Date of qualification | Apps. | Last | Previous best performance | 1 January 2020 | 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 | Europe | Europe 1 | 10 March 2022 | 6th | 2019 | Pool stage (2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019) | 14 | 11 |
| C5 | Portugal | 5 | Europe | Final Qualifier | 18 November 2022 | 2nd | 2007 | Pool stage (2007) | 24 | 16 |
Notes
* ↑ The rankings of 1 January 2020 were used for seeding for the final draw.
* 1 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.
* 1 2 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.

## 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. 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. 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. 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.
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. 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.
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. 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.
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. 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.

## 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 | Advance to knockout stage, and qualification to the 2027 Rugby World Cup |
| 3 | Australia | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 90 | 91 | −1 | 11 | 8 | 3 | 11 | 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 | |
* 1 2 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)
| 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)
* Assistant referees:
* James Doleman (New Zealand)
* Craig Evans (Wales)
* Television match official:
* Brian MacNeice (Ireland)
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' |
* Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux, Bordeaux Attendance: 41,274 Referee: Matthew Carley (England)
| 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)
* Assistant referees:
* Wayne Barnes (England)
* Christophe Ridley (England)
* Television match official:
* Brian MacNeice (Ireland)

### 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)
| 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)
* Assistant referees:
* Luke Pearce (England)
* Andrea Piardi (Italy)
* Television match official:
* Marius Jonker (South Africa)
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.
* 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.
* 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.

### 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)
| 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)
* Assistant referees:
* Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
* Chris Busby (Ireland)
* Television match official:
* Brian MacNeice (Ireland)
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.
* This was Fiji's first victory over Australia at the Rugby World Cup, and their first since an 18–16 away win in 1954.
* This was Fiji's largest victory over Australia.

### 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)
| 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)
* Assistant referees:
* Matthew Carley (England)
* Chris Busby (Ireland)
* Television match official:
* Joy Neville (Ireland)
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.

### 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)
| 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)
* Assistant referees:
* Luke Pearce (England)
* Christophe Ridley (England)
* Television match official:
* Tom Foley (England)
Notes:
* This was Wales' largest ever victory over Australia, for both total points scored and overall winning margin.
* 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.
* Adam Beard (Wales) earned his 50th test cap.
* With this loss, Australia dropped to 10th place in the World Rugby Rankings – their lowest placement in history.

### 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)
| 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)
* Assistant referees:
* Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
* Pierre Brousset (France)
* Television match official:
* Tom Foley (England)
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)
| 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)
* Assistant referees:
* Mathieu Raynal (France)
* Andrea Piardi (Italy)
* Television match official:
* Joy Neville (Ireland)
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.

### 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)
| 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)
* Assistant referees:
* Ben O'Keeffe (New Zealand)
* Pierre Brousset (France)
* Television match official:
* Brendon Pickerill (New Zealand)
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.
* 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.

### 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)
| 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)
* Assistant referees:
* Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
* Pierre Brousset (France)
* Television match official:
* Brian MacNeice (Ireland)
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.
* 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.
* 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.