RWC 2023 – Three things we learned from week 4
The penultimate round of pool fixtures saw exhilarating high-scores, brutal high-tackles, and indisputable high-quality. As the quarter-final matchups begin to reveal themselves, and a blistering World Cup ups its pace once more, let’s look at the key moments from this weekend’s round of matches.
Scotland’s Darcy Graham scores the team’s sixth try against Romania
Resilient Japan set up a ‘winner takes all’ showdown against Argentina in Pool D.
Japan, bidding to reach the quarter-final for the second consecutive World Cup, persevered against a late surge from a physical and gutsy 14-man Samoan side winning by a slim 6-point margin – 28-22. Japan’s victory secured England a place in the last eight. Japan have not necessarily performed in the exciting, dynamic fashion that Tokyo witnessed in 2019, where they bowed out to eventual winners South Africa.
Kotaro Matsushima fends off off a tackle from Samoa’s right wing Ed Fidow
The Pumas boosted their quarter-final hopes, thrashing Chile on Saturday, as the RWC saw two South American teams face each other for the first time in the tournament’s history. Argentina head coach, Michael Cheika told the Guardian “Japan are a great team – they were quarter-finalists last time (in 2019) and we weren’t. We’ll take a couple of days off and get ready for a great game next week.”
As the only two teams who can progress from Pool D, and with the bookmakers conflicted, the Stade de la Beaujoire, Nantes awaits an entertaining tie next Sunday.
The All Blacks mean business.
The All Blacks have duly silenced any doubters after having thumped the Azzurri in a one-sided affair in Lyon, their second highest ever win at a World Cup. They likely set up a thrilling quarter-final against Ireland, currently brimming with confidence after emerging victors against the reigning champions South Africa, in what was the best advert for Rugby Union since Antoine Dupont sporting that yellow dressing gown.
Will Jordan celebrates scoring New Zealand’s twelfth try against Italy
History warns us of Ireland’s woes in RWC quarter-finals and while having never failed to make the final eight, each and every time a semi-final match has eluded them. Only requiring a single point from their final pool game against Scotland to top the group, the stage feels set for a fiery quarter-final match-up, with the winners surely marking themselves out to be the favourites to lift the trophy.
Ireland will enter the game feeling optimistic not least because of their recent successes against the All Blacks having won three out of four of their previous meetings. After New Zealand’s opening round defeat to hosts France, many considered them out of the running – a fool’s game. Their magnificent, fluid, punishing performance against Italy has made them impossible to ignore as they bulldozed themselves back into the conversation. Disregard the All Blacks at your own peril.
Australian dismay continues despite bonus point victory against Portugal.
A relatively straight-forward victory for the Wallabies will provide limited comfort for Australian fans, as they prepare to crash out at the group stage for the first time ever. Despite securing the full five points, leaving the Wallabies sat in second place, their fate feels sealed with neighbours Fiji only needing a point to eliminate Australia, as they take on Portugal, who are yet to register a World Cup win, next Sunday.
As the camera panned to head coach Eddie Jones after Sunday’s victory, jeers and boos chorused around the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard in Saint-Étienne. A torrid tournament for Jones leaves his position precarious, with pressure and rage continuing to build as his uninspired Wallabies team prepare for a long journey home where a frosty reception awaits.
Eddie Jones in pre-match press conference before Australia take on Portugal
“We’re committed to Eddie” said Phil Waugh, chief executive of Rugby Australia to BBC Sport this morning. Jones is under contract until 2027, and his sacking would not only be premature and reactionary but would not fix Australian Rugby. Jones has inherited a team that has clearly outlined itself as fundamentally broken and exhausted. Despite a truly miserable tournament in France, during his second spell as Wallabies head coach, he must be trusted to rebuild the squad and restore a famous rugby nation.
