Wikipedia

2023 Rugby World Cup Pool B

Main article: 2023 Rugby World Cup

Pool B of the 2023 Rugby World Cup began on 9 September 2023 and concluded on 8 October 2023. The pool included holders and world-number-two ranked side South Africa, fellow automatic qualifiers and world-number-one-ranked side Ireland, and world-number-five-ranked side Scotland. They are joined by Romania and Tonga.[1] It was widely referred to as the "group of death."[2][3][4] Ireland topped the group and South Africa placed second, thus allowing both teams to progress.

Teams

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Pos. Team Band Confederation Method of
qualification 		Date of
qualification 		Apps. Last Previous best
performance 		World Rugby Rankings[5]
1 January 2020[nb 1] 4 September 2023
B1   South Africa 1 Africa Top 3 in 2019 RWC pool 8 October 2019 8th 2019 Winners (1995, 2007, 2019) 1 2
B2   Ireland 2 Europe Top 3 in 2019 RWC pool 5 October 2019 10th 2019 Quarter-finals (1987, 1991, 1995, 2003, 2011, 2015, 2019) 5 1
B3   Scotland 3 Europe Top 3 in 2019 RWC pool 12 October 2019 10th 2019 Fourth place (1991) 9 5
B4   Tonga 4[nb 2] Oceania Asia/Pacific 1 23 July 2022 9th 2019 Pool stage (1987, 1995, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019) 13[nb 2] 15
B5   Romania 5[nb 3] Europe Europe 2 27 June 2022 9th 2015 Pool stage (1987, 1991, 1995, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015) 19[nb 3] 19

Notes

  1. ^ The rankings of 1 January 2020 were used for seeding for the final draw.
  2. ^ a b As the identity of the Asia/Pacific 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.[6]
  3. ^ a b As the identity of the Europe 2 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.[6]

Overview

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Ireland, ranked 1st in the world, began Pool B with a convincing win of 82–8 over Romania. Twelve tries were scored by eight different players, with only one having not been converted.[7] The second match of the pool saw defending champions South Africa begin their defence against Scotland. South Africa won 18–3 courtesy of tries from Pieter-Steph du Toit and Kurt-Lee Arendse, along with two successful penalties from Manie Libbok.[8] After a six day break, action in the pool returned as Tonga played their first match against Ireland, where the Irish continued their impressive start with a 59–16 victory, including eight tries.[9] The next day, South Africa continued their strong start with an emphatic victory over Romania, in a 76–0 win with twelve tries, including a hat-trick of tries from Cobus Reinach and Makazole Mapimpi.[10] On 23 September, 1st and 2nd in the world rankings Ireland and South Africa went head-to-head, the first time the teams had ever met at a World Cup, and the first time two sides ranked first and second in the world had met in a pool stage match. Ireland emerged victorious with a scoreline of 13–8 in a low-scoring and brutal affair in Saint-Denis, putting the Irish in pole position to top the pool.[11] The next day, Scotland defeated Tonga in a bonus-point victory with a scoreline of 45–17 with seven tries to keep their hopes of progression to the knockout stage alive, while putting Tonga on the brink of elimination.[12]

Going into the penultimate weekend of pool stage fixtures, four teams in the group still held their fate in their own hands. Leaders Ireland faced a bye week, while both Tonga and Scotland faced possible elimination if they lost their match. On 30 September, Scotland hammered Romania with a 84–0 scoreline, a result which officially eliminated Romania from the tournament. Twelve tries were scored by the Scots, including Darcy Graham who provided four of them and Ben Healy converting eleven of them. The result was crucial for Scotland in keeping their hopes of progression from the pool alive, and it left them only trailing South Africa in the standings from the head-to-head tiebreaker. It set up a showdown on the final matchday between Scotland and Ireland for a place in the knockout stage.[13] The next day, South Africa played their final match of the pool as they moved to the brink of qualification to the quarter-finals after securing a 49–18 bonus-point victory over Tonga, a result that officially saw the elimination of the Sea Eagles from the tournament. Seven tries were scored by the Springboks, along with strong kicking from Handré Pollard and Manie Libbok. Ahead of the final matchweek, Ireland vs Scotland would be the deciding match as to who would finish in the top two and progress to the knockout stage.[14]

In the final pair of matches in Pool B, Ireland and Scotland went head-to-head in Saint-Denis in a match that would officially decide the final standings of the two along with South Africa in the pool and who would progress to the knockout stage with all three sides still able to do so. A clinical Ireland ended up coming away with a 36–14 bonus-point victory over the Scots with six tries, including a try from James Lowe inside 70 seconds, to ensure that Ireland qualified as they topped Group B, South Africa qualified in second and Scotland suffered elimination from the tournament as they finished third, but qualified for the 2027 Rugby World Cup.[15] The final match of Pool B took place the following day between Tonga and Romania in Villeneuve-d'Ascq with both sides already confirmed to finish outside of the top three. Tonga came out with a 45–24 bonus-point victory over the Romanians with two tries from Solomone Kata helping push the Tongans to the win and end their World Cup campaign with a victory as they finished fourth in the pool while ending a miserable campaign for Romania who finished fifth with no victories.[16]

Standings

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Pos Team Pld W D L PF PA PD TF TA B Pts Qualification
1   Ireland 4 4 0 0 190 46 +144 27 5 3 19 Advance to knockout stage, and
qualification to the 2027 Rugby World Cup
2   South Africa 4 3 0 1 151 34 +117 22 4 3 15
3   Scotland 4 2 0 2 146 71 +75 21 10 2 10 Qualification to the 2027 Rugby World Cup
4   Tonga 4 1 0 3 96 177 −81 13 25 1 5
5   Romania 4 0 0 4 32 287 −255 4 43 0 0
Source: World Rugby
Rules for classification: Pool stage tiebreakers

Matches

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Ireland vs Romania

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9 September 2023
15:30 CEST (UTC+2)
(1 BP) Ireland  82–8  Romania
Try: Gibson-Park 5' c
Keenan 13' c
Beirne (2) 17' m, 80+3' c
Aki (2) 34' c, 75' c
Sexton (2) 40' c, 62' c
Herring 45' c
O'Mahony (2) 50' c, 70' c
McCarthy 67' c
Con: Sexton (7/8) 6', 13', 36', 40', 46', 51', 63'
Crowley (4/4) 68', 72', 76', 80+3'		ReportTry: Rupanu 3' m
Pen: Rupanu (1/1) 21'
Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux, Bordeaux
Attendance: 41,170
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia)[17]
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ireland
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Romania
FB 15 Hugo Keenan
RW 14 Keith Earls   60'
OC 13 Garry Ringrose
IC 12 Bundee Aki
LW 11 James Lowe
FH 10 Johnny Sexton (c)   66'
SH 9 Jamison Gibson-Park   60'
N8 8 Caelan Doris   56'
OF 7 Peter O'Mahony
BF 6 Tadhg Beirne
RL 5 James Ryan   56'
LL 4 Joe McCarthy
TP 3 Tadhg Furlong   51'
HK 2 Rob Herring   51'
LP 1 Andrew Porter   51'
Replacements:
HK 16 Rónan Kelleher   51'
PR 17 Jeremy Loughman   51'
PR 18 Tom O'Toole   51'
LK 19 Iain Henderson   56'
FL 20 Josh van der Flier   56'
SH 21 Conor Murray   60'
FH 22 Jack Crowley   66'
WG 23 Mack Hansen   60'
Coach:
  Andy Farrell
 
FB 15 Marius Simionescu   31'
RW 14 Nicolas Onuțu
OC 13 Jason Tomane
IC 12 Fonovai Tangimana
LW 11 Tevita Manumua   58'
FH 10 Hinckley Vaovasa   61'
SH 9 Gabriel Rupanu   74'
N8 8 Cristi Chirică (c)
OF 7 Vlad Neculau
BF 6 Florian Roșu   61'
RL 5 Ștefan Iancu   61'
LL 4 Adrian Moțoc
TP 3 Alexandru Gordaș   52'
HK 2 Ovidiu Cojocaru   55'
LP 1 Iulian Harțig   49'
Replacements:
HK 16 Florin Bărdașu   55'
PR 17 Alexandru Savin   49'
PR 18 Gheorghe Gajion   52'
LK 19 Marius Iftimiciuc   61'
FL 20 Dragoș Ser   61'
SH 21 Alin Conache   74'
FH 22 Tudor Boldor   61'
CE 23 Taylor Gontineac   58'
Coach:
  Eugen Apjok

Player of the Match:
Peter O'Mahony (Ireland)[18]

Assistant referees:
Wayne Barnes (England)[17]
Andrea Piardi (Italy)[17]
Television match official:
Brendon Pickerill (New Zealand)[17]

Notes:

  • Robbie Henshaw was originally named among the replacements for Ireland, but withdrew before the match as an injury precaution. His place was taken by Mack Hansen.[19]
  • This was Ireland's largest ever victory in a Rugby World Cup match, for both total points scored and overall winning margin, and also their largest ever victory over Romania, surpassing the 34–point margin (44–10) set during the 2015 Rugby World Cup.[20]


South Africa vs Scotland

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10 September 2023
17:45 CEST (UTC+2)
South Africa  18–3  Scotland
Try: Du Toit 47' m
Arendse 50' c
Con: De Klerk (1/1) 51'
Pen: Libbok (2/4) 13', 25'		ReportPen: Russell (1/1) 40+1'
Stade Vélodrome, Marseille
Attendance: 63,586
Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)[17]
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
South Africa
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Scotland
FB 15 Damian Willemse
RW 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse
OC 13 Jesse Kriel
IC 12 Damian de Allende
LW 11 Cheslin Kolbe
FH 10 Manie Libbok   69'
SH 9 Faf de Klerk   75'
N8 8 Jasper Wiese   60'
BF 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit
OF 6 Siya Kolisi (c)   64'
RL 5 Franco Mostert
LL 4 Eben Etzebeth   26'
TP 3 Frans Malherbe   53'
HK 2 Malcolm Marx   48' to 53'   57'
LP 1 Steven Kitshoff   53'
Replacements:
HK 16 Bongi Mbonambi   48'   53'   57'
PR 17 Ox Nché   53'
PR 18 Trevor Nyakane   53'
LK 19 RG Snyman   26'
FL 20 Marco van Staden   64'
N8 21 Duane Vermeulen   60'
SH 22 Grant Williams   75'
FB 23 Willie le Roux   69'
Coach:
  Jacques Nienaber
 
FB 15 Blair Kinghorn
RW 14 Darcy Graham   64'
OC 13 Huw Jones
IC 12 Sione Tuipilotu   67'
LW 11 Duhan van der Merwe
FH 10 Finn Russell
SH 9 Ben White   67'
N8 8 Jack Dempsey
OF 7 Rory Darge   64'
BF 6 Jamie Ritchie (c)
RL 5 Grant Gilchrist   56'
LL 4 Richie Gray
TP 3 Zander Fagerson   56'
HK 2 George Turner   56'
LP 1 Pierre Schoeman   56'
Replacements:
HK 16 Dave Cherry   56'
PR 17 Jamie Bhatti   56'
PR 18 WP Nel   56'
LK 19 Scott Cummings   56'
FL 20 Matt Fagerson   64'
SH 21 Ali Price   67'
CE 22 Cameron Redpath   67'
FB 23 Ollie Smith   64'
Coach:
  Gregor Townsend

Player of the Match:
Manie Libbok (South Africa)[21]

Assistant referees:
Nika Amashukeli (Georgia)[17]
Jordan Way (Australia)[17]
Television match official:
Ben Whitehouse (Wales)[17]

Notes:


Ireland vs Tonga

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16 September 2023
21:00 CEST (UTC+2)
(1 BP) Ireland  59–16  Tonga
Try: Beirne 21' c
Doris 27' c
Hansen 33' c
Sexton 38' c
Lowe 59' c
Aki (2) 63' c, 69' c
Herring 80' c
Con: Sexton (4/4) 22', 28', 34', 39'
Byrne (4/4) 60', 64', 70', 80+2'
Pen: Sexton (1/1) 7'		ReportTry: V. Fifita 40+8' c
Con: Havili (1/1) 40+9'
Pen: Havili (3/3) 16', 25', 43'
Stade de la Beaujoire, Nantes
Attendance: 31,673
Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)[17]
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ireland
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tonga
FB 15 Hugo Keenan
RW 14 Mack Hansen
OC 13 Garry Ringrose   50'
IC 12 Bundee Aki
LW 11 James Lowe
FH 10 Johnny Sexton (c)   41'
SH 9 Conor Murray   56'
N8 8 Caelan Doris   52'
OF 7 Josh van der Flier
BF 6 Peter O'Mahony   40+3'
RL 5 James Ryan   50'
LL 4 Tadhg Beirne
TP 3 Tadhg Furlong   41'   50'
HK 2 Rónan Kelleher   41'
LP 1 Andrew Porter   41'
Replacements:
HK 16 Rob Herring   41'
PR 17 Dave Kilcoyne   41'
PR 18 Finlay Bealham   41'   50'
LK 19 Iain Henderson   50'
FL 20 Ryan Baird   52'
SH 21 Craig Casey   56'
FH 22 Ross Byrne   41'
CE 23 Robbie Henshaw   50'
Coach:
  Andy Farrell
 
FB 15 Salesi Piutau
RW 14 Afusipa Taumoepeau
OC 13 Malakai Fekitoa
IC 12 Pita Ahki
LW 11 Solomone Kata   71'
FH 10 William Havili
SH 9 Augustine Pulu   41'
N8 8 Vaea Fifita   60'
OF 7 Sione Havili Talitui
BF 6 Tanginoa Halaifonua   50'
RL 5 Leva Fifita   71'
LL 4 Sam Lousi
TP 3 Ben Tameifuna (c)   60'
HK 2 Paul Ngauamo   50'
LP 1 Siegfried Fisi'ihoi   60'
Replacements:
HK 16 Sam Moli   50'
PR 17 Tau Koloamatangi   60'
PR 18 Joe Apikotoa   60'
LK 19 Semisi Paea   71'
FL 20 Solomone Funaki   52'
N8 21 Sione Vailanu   60'
SH 22 Sonatane Takulua   41'
CE 23 Fine Inisi   71'
Coach:
  Toutai Kefu

Player of the Match:
Bundee Aki (Ireland)[23]

Assistant referees:
Matthew Carley (England)[17]
Craig Evans (Wales)[17]
Television match official:
Tom Foley (England)[17]

Notes:


South Africa vs Romania

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17 September 2023
15:00 CEST (UTC+2)
(1 BP) South Africa  76–0  Romania
Try: Reinach (3) 2' m, 8' c, 23' c
Mapimpi (3) 6' c, 63' m, 67' c
Willemse 11' c
Fourie 42' m
Penalty try 52'
Williams (2) 54' c, 61' c
Le Roux 73' m
Con: Willemse (5/7) 7', 9', 11', 24', 55'
De Klerk (2/4) 62', 68'		Report
Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux, Bordeaux
Attendance: 38,789
Referee: Mathieu Raynal (France)[17]
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
South Africa
 
 
 
 
 
 
Romania
FB 15 Willie le Roux
RW 14 Grant Williams
OC 13 Canan Moodie
IC 12 André Esterhuizen
LW 11 Makazole Mapimpi
FH 10 Damian Willemse   57'
SH 9 Cobus Reinach   46'
N8 8 Duane Vermeulen
BF 7 Kwagga Smith
OF 6 Marco van Staden
RL 5 Marvin Orie   41'
LL 4 Jean Kleyn
TP 18 Trevor Nyakane   60'
HK 2 Bongi Mbonambi (c)   40'
LP 1 Ox Nché   60'
Replacements:
HK 16 Deon Fourie   40'
PR 17 Steven Kitshoff   60'
PR 28 Frans Malherbe   60'
LK 19 RG Snyman   41'
N8 20 Jasper Wiese
SH 21 Jaden Hendrikse   46'
SH 22 Faf de Klerk   57'
CE 23 Jesse Kriel
Coach:
  Jacques Nienaber
 
FB 15 Marius Simionescu
RW 14 Tevita Manumua
OC 13 Jason Tomane   60'
IC 12 Taylor Gontineac   67'
LW 11 Nicolas Onuțu
FH 10 Hinckley Vaovasa
SH 9 Gabriel Rupanu
N8 8 Cristi Chirică (c)
OF 7 Vlad Neculau   41'
BF 6 André Gorin   55'
RL 5 Marius Iftimiciuc   52'
LL 4 Adrian Moțoc
TP 3 Alexandru Gordaș   51'
HK 2 Ovidiu Cojocaru   60'
LP 1 Iulian Harțig   57'
Replacements:
HK 16 Robert Irimescu   60'
PR 17 Alexandru Savin   57'
PR 18 Thomas Crețu   51'
LK 19 Ștefan Iancu   52'
FL 20 Damian Strătilă   55'
FL 21 Cristi Boboc   41'
SH 22 Alin Conache   67'
FH 23 Gabriel Pop   60'
Coach:
  Eugen Apjok

Player of the Match:
Makazole Mapimpi (South Africa)[27]

Assistant referees:
Angus Gardner (Australia)[17]
Pierre Brousset (France)[17]
Television match official:
Brett Cronan (Australia)[17]

Notes:

  • South Africa secured the fastest ever try bonus point (earned by scoring four tries) in a World Cup match, achieving this feat 11 minutes and 13 seconds after kick-off.[28]
  • Vincent Koch was originally named in the starting line-up for South Africa, but withdrew during the match-day warm-up due to injury. He was replaced by Trevor Nyakane, whose place on the bench was taken by Frans Malherbe. Nyakane continued to wear the number 18 shirt, while Malherbe wore 28.[29]


South Africa vs Ireland

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23 September 2023
21:00 CEST (UTC+2)
(1 BP) South Africa  8–13  Ireland
Try: Kolbe 51' m
Pen: Libbok (1/2) 6'		ReportTry: Hansen 33' c
Con: Sexton (1/1) 35'
Pen: Sexton (1/1) 59'
Crowley (1/1) 77'
Stade de France, Saint-Denis
Attendance: 78,542
Referee: Ben O'Keeffe (New Zealand)[17]
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
South Africa
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ireland
FB 15 Damian Willemse
RW 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse
OC 13 Jesse Kriel
IC 12 Damian de Allende
LW 11 Cheslin Kolbe
FH 10 Manie Libbok
SH 9 Faf de Klerk   75'
N8 8 Jasper Wiese   48'
BF 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit
OF 6 Siya Kolisi (c)   51'
RL 5 Franco Mostert   48'
LL 4 Eben Etzebeth   48'
TP 3 Frans Malherbe   62'
HK 2 Bongi Mbonambi   64'
LP 1 Steven Kitshoff   48'
Replacements:
HK 16 Deon Fourie   64'
PR 17 Ox Nché   48'
PR 18 Trevor Nyakane   62'
LK 19 Jean Kleyn   48'
LK 20 RG Snyman   48'
FL 21 Marco van Staden   51'
FL 22 Kwagga Smith   48'
SH 23 Cobus Reinach   75'
Coach:
  Jacques Nienaber
 
FB 15 Hugo Keenan
RW 14 Mack Hansen
OC 13 Garry Ringrose   22' to 35'   64'
IC 12 Bundee Aki
LW 11 James Lowe
FH 10 Johnny Sexton (c)   73'
SH 9 Jamison Gibson-Park   66'
N8 8 Caelan Doris
OF 7 Josh van der Flier
BF 6 Peter O'Mahony   64'
RL 5 James Ryan   53'
LL 4 Tadhg Beirne
TP 3 Tadhg Furlong   64'
HK 2 Rónan Kelleher   53'
LP 1 Andrew Porter   75'
Replacements:
HK 16 Dan Sheehan   53'
PR 17 Dave Kilcoyne   75'
PR 18 Finlay Bealham   64'
LK 19 Iain Henderson   53'
FL 20 Ryan Baird   64'
SH 21 Conor Murray   66'
FH 22 Jack Crowley   73'
CE 23 Robbie Henshaw   22'   35'   64'
Coach:
  Andy Farrell

Player of the Match:
Bundee Aki (Ireland)[30]

Assistant referees:
Mathieu Raynal (France)[17]
James Doleman (New Zealand)[17]
Television match official:
Brendon Pickerill (New Zealand)[17]

Notes:

  • This was the first ever meeting between these two sides at a World Cup, or at any neutral venue.[31]
  • Peter O'Mahony earned his 100th international test cap, having played 99 times for Ireland and once for the British & Irish Lions.[32]
  • Bundee Aki earned his 50th test cap for Ireland.[33]


Scotland vs Tonga

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24 September 2023
17:45 CEST (UTC+2)
(1 BP) Scotland  45–17  Tonga
Try: Turner 5' c
Van der Merwe 27' m
Steyn 30' m
Darge 40+2' c
Horne 54' c
Kinghorn 68' c
Graham 80+2' c
Con: Russell (5/7) 6', 40+3', 55', 70', 80+3'		ReportTry: Kata 20' c
Tameifuna 44' c
Con: Havili (2/2) 21', 45'
Pen: Havili (1/1) 10'
Allianz Riviera, Nice
Attendance: 33,189
Referee: Karl Dickson (England)[17]
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Scotland
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tonga
FB 15 Blair Kinghorn
RW 14 Kyle Steyn   48'
OC 13 Chris Harris   48'
IC 12 Sione Tuipilotu
LW 11 Duhan van der Merwe
FH 10 Finn Russell
SH 9 Ben White   48'
N8 8 Jack Dempsey
OF 7 Rory Darge
BF 6 Jamie Ritchie (c)   34'
RL 5 Scott Cummings
LL 4 Richie Gray   65'
TP 3 Zander Fagerson   59'
HK 2 George Turner   59'
LP 1 Rory Sutherland   48'
Replacements:
HK 16 Ewan Ashman   59'
PR 17 Pierre Schoeman   48'
PR 18 WP Nel   59'
LK 19 Sam Skinner   65'
FL 20 Matt Fagerson   34'
SH 21 George Horne   48'
CE 22 Huw Jones   48'
WG 23 Darcy Graham   48'
Coach:
  Gregor Townsend
 
FB 15 Salesi Piutau
RW 14 Solomone Kata
OC 13 Malakai Fekitoa
IC 12 Pita Ahki
LW 11 Afusipa Taumoepeau   34'
FH 10 William Havili   77'
SH 9 Augustine Pulu   55'
N8 8 Vaea Fifita   77'
OF 7 Sione Havili Talitui   70'
BF 6 Tanginoa Halaifonua   55'
RL 5 Sam Lousi   55'
LL 4 Leva Fifita
TP 3 Ben Tameifuna (c)   65'
HK 2 Paul Ngauamo   52'
LP 1 Siegfried Fisi'ihoi   70'
Replacements:
HK 16 Sam Moli   52'
PR 17 Tau Koloamatangi   70'
PR 18 Joe Apikotoa   65'
LK 19 Adam Coleman   55'
FL 20 Semisi Paea   70'
N8 21 Sione Vailanu   55'
SH 22 Sonatane Takulua   55'
FH 23 Patrick Pellegrini   77'
Coach:
  Toutai Kefu

Player of the Match:
Duhan van der Merwe (Scotland)[34]

Assistant referees:
Nika Amashukeli (Georgia)[17]
Craig Evans (Wales)[17]
Television match official:
Ben Whitehouse (Wales)[17]

Notes:


Scotland vs Romania

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30 September 2023
21:00 CEST (UTC+2)
(1 BP) Scotland  84–0  Romania
Try: Watson 9' c
Price 17' c
Graham (4) 21' c, 34' c, 40' c, 77' c
Fagerson 38' c
Harris 45' c
Smith 53' c
Healy 58' c
Matthews 71' c
Darge 73' c
Con: Healy (11/11) 10', 18', 22', 35', 39', 40', 47', 55', 59', 72', 77'
Horne (1/1) 73'		Report
Stade Pierre-Mauroy, Villeneuve-d'Ascq
Attendance: 46,516
Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)[17]
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Scotland
 
 
 
 
 
 
Romania
FB 15 Ollie Smith   59'
RW 14 Darcy Graham
OC 13 Chris Harris   65'
IC 12 Cameron Redpath
LW 11 Kyle Steyn
FH 10 Ben Healy
SH 9 Ali Price   55'
N8 8 Matt Fagerson
OF 7 Hamish Watson   65'
BF 6 Luke Crosbie
RL 5 Grant Gilchrist (c)   59'
LL 4 Sam Skinner
TP 3 Javan Sebastian   59'
HK 2 Ewan Ashman   59'
LP 1 Jamie Bhatti   59'
Replacements:
HK 16 Johnny Matthews   59'
PR 17 Rory Sutherland   59'
PR 18 WP Nel   59'
LK 19 Scott Cummings   59'
FL 20 Rory Darge   65'
SH 21 George Horne   55'
FB 22 Blair Kinghorn   59'
CE 23 Huw Jones   65'
Coach:
  Gregor Townsend
 
FB 15 Marius Simionescu   38'
RW 14 Sioeli Lama
OC 13 Jason Tomane
IC 12 Fonovai Tangimana   57'
LW 11 Taliaʻuli Sikuea
FH 10 Alin Conache   53'
SH 9 Gabriel Rupanu   32'   39'   61'
N8 8 Cristi Chirică (c)   39'
OF 7 Dragoș Ser
BF 6 Florian Roșu   31'
RL 5 Ștefan Iancu
LL 4 Adrian Moțoc
TP 3 Gheorghe Gajion   57'
HK 2 Robert Irimescu   29'   59'
LP 1 Alexandru Savin   61'
Replacements:
HK 16 Florin Bărdașu   32'   39'   59'
PR 17 Iulian Harțig   61'
PR 18 Costel Burțilă   57'
LK 19 Marius Iftimiciuc
FL 20 Damian Strătilă   39'
SH 21 Florin Surugiu   61'
FH 22 Tudor Boldor   53'
WG 23 Nicolas Onuțu   57'
Coach:
  Eugen Apjok

Player of the Match:
Darcy Graham (Scotland)[37]

Assistant referees:
Angus Gardner (Australia)[38]
James Doleman (New Zealand)[38]
Television match official:
Brendon Pickerill (New Zealand)[17]

Notes:

  • This was Scotland's biggest ever victory over Romania, surpassing the 42–point margin (42–0) set during the 2007 Rugby World Cup.
  • Scotland kept their opponents scoreless for the sixth time in a World Cup match – the first nation to achieve this feat.
  • Johnny Matthews (Scotland) made his international debut.[39]


South Africa vs Tonga

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1 October 2023
21:00 CEST (UTC+2)
(1 BP) South Africa  49–18  Tonga
Try: Reinach 5' c
Moodie 20' c
Fourie 32' c
Kriel 49' c
Le Roux 58' c
Van Staden 63' c
Smith 80+1' c
Con: Pollard (4/4) 6', 21', 33', 51'
Libbok (3/3) 59', 65', 80+2'		ReportTry: Tameifuna 38' m
Inisi 54' m
Pellegrini 73' m
Pen: Havili (1/1) 3'
Stade Vélodrome, Marseille
Attendance: 60,387
Referee: Luke Pearce (England)[17]
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
South Africa
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tonga
FB 15 Willie le Roux
RW 14 Grant Williams
OC 13 Canan Moodie
IC 12 André Esterhuizen
LW 11 Makazole Mapimpi   29'
FH 10 Handré Pollard   51'
SH 9 Cobus Reinach   51'
N8 8 Jasper Wiese   51'
BF 7 Duane Vermeulen
OF 6 Siya Kolisi (c)   59'
RL 5 Marvin Orie   62'
LL 4 Eben Etzebeth
TP 3 Vincent Koch   45'
HK 2 Deon Fourie
LP 1 Ox Nché   45' to 55'   59'
Replacements:
HK 16 Marco van Staden   59'
PR 17 Steven Kitshoff   45'   55'   59'
PR 18 Trevor Nyakane   45'
LK 19 Franco Mostert   62'
FL 20 Kwagga Smith   51'
SH 21 Jaden Hendrikse   51'
FH 22 Manie Libbok   51'
CE 23 Jesse Kriel   29'
Coach:
  Jacques Nienaber
 
FB 15 Salesi Piutau
RW 14 Fine Inisi
OC 13 Malakai Fekitoa   68'
IC 12 Pita Ahki
LW 11 Anzelo Tuitavuki
FH 10 William Havili   71'
SH 9 Augustine Pulu   52'
N8 8 Semisi Paea   59'
OF 7 Sione Havili Talitui
BF 6 Tanginoa Halaifonua
RL 5 Sam Lousi   51'
LL 4 Leva Fifita
TP 3 Ben Tameifuna (c)   55'
HK 2 Paul Ngauamo   51'   64'
LP 1 Siegfried Fisi'ihoi   71'
Replacements:
HK 16 Sam Moli   51'   64'
PR 17 Tau Koloamatangi   71'
PR 18 Joe Apikotoa   55'
LK 19 Adam Coleman   51'
N8 20 Sione Vailanu   59'
SH 21 Sonatane Takulua   52'
FH 22 Patrick Pellegrini   71'
CE 23 Afusipa Taumoepeau   68'
Coach:
  Toutai Kefu

Player of the Match:
Deon Fourie (South Africa)[40]

Assistant referees:
Matthew Carley (England)[17]
Christophe Ridley (England)[17]
Television match official:
Brett Cronan (Australia)[17]


Ireland vs Scotland

edit
7 October 2023
21:00 CEST (UTC+2)
(1 BP) Ireland  36–14  Scotland
Try: Lowe 2' m
Keenan (2) 26' c, 39' c
Henderson 32' c
Sheehan 44' m
Ringrose 58' m
Con: Sexton (3/5) 27', 33', 40'		ReportTry: Ashman 64' c
Price 66' c
Con: Russell (2/2) 65', 66'
Stade de France, Saint-Denis
Attendance: 78,459[41]
Referee: Nic Berry (Australia)[17]
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ireland
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Scotland
FB 15 Hugo Keenan
RW 14 Mack Hansen   21' to 32'   35'
OC 13 Garry Ringrose
IC 12 Bundee Aki
LW 11 James Lowe   41'
FH 10 Johnny Sexton (c)   45'
SH 9 Jamison Gibson-Park
N8 8 Caelan Doris
OF 7 Josh van der Flier
BF 6 Peter O'Mahony   48'
RL 5 Iain Henderson
LL 4 Tadhg Beirne   48'
TP 3 Tadhg Furlong   48'
HK 2 Dan Sheehan   48'
LP 1 Andrew Porter   48'
Replacements:
HK 16 Rónan Kelleher   48'
PR 17 Dave Kilcoyne   48'
PR 18 Finlay Bealham   48'
LK 19 James Ryan   48'
N8 20 Jack Conan   48'
SH 21 Conor Murray   41'
FH 22 Jack Crowley   45'
CE 23 Stuart McCloskey   21'   32'   35'
Coach:
  Andy Farrell
 
FB 15 Blair Kinghorn   8'
RW 14 Darcy Graham   50'
OC 13 Huw Jones
IC 12 Sione Tuipilotu
LW 11 Duhan van der Merwe
FH 10 Finn Russell
SH 9 Ali Price
N8 8 Jack Dempsey
OF 7 Rory Darge   65'
BF 6 Jamie Ritchie (c)   20'
RL 5 Grant Gilchrist   45'
LL 4 Richie Gray
TP 3 Zander Fagerson   60'
HK 2 George Turner   59'
LP 1 Pierre Schoeman   53'
Replacements:
HK 16 Ewan Ashman   59'
PR 17 Rory Sutherland   53'
PR 18 WP Nel   60'
LK 19 Scott Cummings   45'
FL 20 Matt Fagerson   20'
FL 21 Luke Crosbie   65'
SH 22 George Horne   50'
FB 23 Ollie Smith   42'   8'
Coach:
  Gregor Townsend

Player of the Match:
Jamison Gibson-Park (Ireland)[42]

Assistant referees:
Wayne Barnes (England)[17]
Jordan Way (Australia)[17]
Television match official:
Brett Cronan (Australia)[17]

Notes:


Tonga vs Romania

edit
8 October 2023
17:45 CEST (UTC+2)
(1 BP) Tonga  45–24  Romania
Try: Kata (2) 11' c, 66' m
Moala 15' c
Taumoepeau 22' c
Vailanu 49' c
Ahki 62' c
Taumoefolau 71' m
Con: Havili (5/7) 13', 17', 23', 51', 63'		ReportTry: Boboc 30' c
Surugiu 36' c
Simionescu 55' c
Con: Conache (3/3) 32', 37', 57'
Pen: Conache (1/2) 19'
Stade Pierre-Mauroy, Villeneuve-d'Ascq
Attendance: 45,042
Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)[17]
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tonga
 
 
 
 
 
 
Romania
FB 15 Salesi Piutau   71'
RW 14 Solomone Kata   67'
OC 13 George Moala
IC 12 Pita Ahki
LW 11 Afusipa Taumoepeau
FH 10 William Havili
SH 9 Sonatane Takulua (c)   64'
N8 8 Sione Vailanu   59'
OF 7 Sione Havili Talitui
BF 6 Semisi Paea
RL 5 Adam Coleman
LL 4 Leva Fifita   32'   72'
TP 3 Ben Tameifuna   71'
HK 2 Paul Ngauamo   75'
LP 1 Siegfried Fisi'ihoi   72'
Replacements:
HK 16 Sione Anga'aelangi   75'
PR 17 Paula Latu   72'
PR 18 Siate Tokolahi   71'
LK 19 Sitiveni Mafi   72'
FL 20 Penitoa Finau   59'
SH 21 Manu Paea   64'
FH 22 Patrick Pellegrini   71'
WG 23 Kyren Taumoefolau   67'
Coach:
  Toutai Kefu
 
FB 15 Marius Simionescu
RW 14 Nicolas Onuțu
OC 13 Tevita Manumua
IC 12 Fonovai Tangimana   70'
LW 11 Taliaʻuli Sikuea   64'
FH 10 Alin Conache   70'
SH 9 Florin Surugiu   52'
N8 8 André Gorin   60'
OF 7 Cristi Boboc   61'
BF 6 Florian Roșu   33' to 41'
RL 5 Marius Iftimiciuc
LL 4 Adrian Moțoc   61'
TP 3 Alexandru Gordaș   64'
HK 2 Ovidiu Cojocaru (c)   59'
LP 1 Alexandru Savin   60'
Replacements:
HK 16 Robert Irimescu   59'
PR 17 Iulian Harțig   60'
PR 18 Costel Burțilă   64'
LK 19 Ștefan Iancu   33'   41'   61'
FL 20 Damian Strătilă   60'
SH 21 Gabriel Rupanu   64'
CE 22 Alexandru Bucur   52'
CE 23 Mihai Graure   70'
Coach:
  Eugen Apjok

Player of the Match:
George Moala (Tonga)[45]

Assistant referees:
Mathieu Raynal (France)[17]
Christophe Ridley (England)[17]
Television match official:
Ben Whitehouse (Wales)[17]

Notes:

  • This was the first ever meeting between these two sides at a World Cup.
  • Vlad Neculau was originally named in the starting line-up for Romania, but withdrew prior to the match due to injury. He was replaced by Florian Roșu, whose place on the bench was taken by Ștefan Iancu.
  • This was Tonga's largest points total in a World Cup match, surpassing the 35 points they scored against Namibia in 2015, and their biggest victory at the tournament (by margin), surpassing their 29–11 win over Ivory Coast in 1995.[46]
  • Romania finished the pool stage with 287 points and 43 tries conceded – the highest number of points and tries scored against one team in a single World Cup campaign, surpassing Namibia's concession of 266 points in 2011.[47]


References

edit
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  3. ^ Raleigh, David (1 September 2023). "Rugby World Cup: Fans believe Ireland's biggest problem is getting out of 'group of death'". Irish Examiner.
  4. ^ "Rugby World Cup 2023: Iain Henderson and Dan Sheehan come into Ireland team for Scotland clash". Sky Sports.
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  8. ^ Duncan, Thomas (10 September 2023). "Springboks too strong for Scots in Rugby World Cup opener". BBC Sport. Retrieved 12 September 2023.
  9. ^ "Johnny Sexton breaks record as Irish claim bonus-point World Cup win". BBC Sport. 16 September 2023. Retrieved 16 September 2023.
  10. ^ Rindl, Joe (17 September 2023). "Cobus Reinach scores second-fastest World Cup hat-trick". BBC Sport. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
  11. ^ Gault, Matt (23 September 2023). "Irish earn statement World Cup win over holders in Paris". BBC Sport. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
  12. ^ Moffat, Colin (24 September 2023). "Scots run in seven tries to stay alive in Pool B". BBC Sport. Retrieved 24 September 2023.
  13. ^ English, Tom (30 September 2023). "Darcy Graham scores four tries as Scots set up Ireland decider". BBC Sport. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  14. ^ Telfer, Alastair (1 October 2023). "World champions edge towards quarter-finals with bonus-point win". BBC Sport. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  15. ^ English, Tom (7 October 2023). "Imperious Irish crush Scots to reach quarter-finals". BBC Sport. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  16. ^ Mather, Steve (8 October 2023). "Tonga triumph in entertaining contest with Romania". BBC Sport. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
  17. ^ 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 "Rugby World Cup 2023 pool stage". World Rugby. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
  18. ^ "Ireland beat Romania 82-8 in Pool B opener". rugbyworldcup.com. World Rugby. 9 September 2023. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
  19. ^ Tracey, Cian (9 September 2023). "Robbie Henshaw ruled out of Romania clash as Mack Hansen comes in". independent.ie. Irish Independent. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
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  21. ^ "Ruthless South Africa 'grind out' 18-3 win over Scotland in Pool B". rugbyworldcup.com. Rugby World Cup. 10 September 2023. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
  22. ^ "Faf de Klerk hits 50-cap milestone for Springboks against Scotland". www.thesouthafrican.com. The South African. 9 September 2023. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
  23. ^ "Ireland 59-16 Tonga: Rugby World Cup Pool B – as it happened". The Guardian. 16 September 2023. Retrieved 16 September 2023.
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  25. ^ "Ireland vs Tonga 1987". www.world.rugby. World Rugby. Retrieved 14 September 2023.
  26. ^ "Johnny Sexton passes Ronan O'Gara as all-time leading Irish points scorer". www.independent.co.uk. The Independent. 16 September 2023. Retrieved 16 September 2023.
  27. ^ "RSA 76-0 ROU: South Africa dominate Romania in Bordeaux". rugbyworldcup.com. Rugby World Cup. 17 September 2023. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
  28. ^ "South Africa's break record for FASTEST ever try bonus point!". www.ultimaterugby.com. Ultimate Rugby. 19 September 2023. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
  29. ^ "Nienaber provides Koch injury update after late withdrawal". www.rugbypass.com. Rugby Pass. 17 September 2023. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
  30. ^ "RSA 8-13 IRE: Ireland beat Boks in battle of titans". rugbyworldcup.com. Rugby World Cup. 23 September 2023. Retrieved 24 September 2023.
  31. ^ "Sexton steers Ireland to victory as South Africa pay penalty for poor kicking". The Guardian. 23 September 2023. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
  32. ^ "Ireland 13 South Africa 8: Andy Farrell's men claim famous victory over reigning Rugby World Cup champions". independent.ie. Irish Independent. 23 September 2023. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
  33. ^ "50 not out: praise for Bundee Aki as he hits milestone in Saint-Denis epic". www.irishexaminer.com. Irish Examiner. 23 September 2023. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
  34. ^ "SCO 45-17 TGA: Scotland secure vital bonus-point win against spirited Tonga". rugbyworldcup.com. Rugby World Cup. 24 September 2023. Retrieved 24 September 2023.
  35. ^ "Former Wallaby Coleman set to make Tonga debut against Scotland". www.reuters.com. Reuters. 22 September 2023. Retrieved 24 September 2023.
  36. ^ "The incredible journey of Pat Pellegrini: From level 5 club rugby to playing for Tonga at World Cup". www.telegraph.co.uk. The Telegraph. 24 September 2023. Retrieved 24 September 2023.
  37. ^ "SCO 84-0 ROU: Scotland tee up Pool B decider against Ireland". rugbyworldcup.com. Rugby World Cup. 30 September 2023. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
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