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The pools for RWC 2023 have and some freshness and some familiarity. What are the fresh match-ups and what are the déjà vu match-ups that will take-place at the group stage?
Freshness
Pool Balance
What is RWC 2023’s Pool of Death? Is there actually one? Compared to prior RWCs the draw for RWC 2023 is notably balanced. That is to say there is a spread across the pools; more so than in the other RWCs since France last hosted the tournament in 2007. Of the Tier 1 teams Scotland has the worst draw. Yet, Scotland did miss out on the Quarter Finals of RWC 2011 and 2019. Moreover, would Scotland want to trade places with Italy or Fiji? Scotland’s pool is tough but Scotland in Pools A and C would arguably be tougher.
No Games in Cardiff
Prior to the draw beginning World Rugby Chairman Bill Beaumont noted that there will be ten venues in nine French cities. This may appear like a minor matter, though it is quite the contrary. France 2023 will be the first RWC in Europe not to feature games in Cardiff. The Welsh capital hosted the RWC 1999 final and miraculously hosted elimination games in all of RWC 1991, 2007 and 2015.
South Africa vs Ireland
South Africa and Ireland have a long history that dates back to 1908. Yet, the teams have never crossed paths in a RWC. This will change at RWC 2023. The match is, on paper, the game to determine the winner of Pool B. Whether or not that is the case, only time will tell. Scotland will certainly be out to beat both teams and target a quarter finals finish or better.
Argentina vs Japan
Los Pumas vs Japan is a rare fixture. The last time the teams met was in Tokyo in 2016. Prior to that it was in Argentina in 2005. The wait at RWCs has been even longer. The last time Argentina and Japan met was at RWC 1999.
England vs Japan
England vs Japan has been even rarer. The teams have only met once at a Rugby World Cup. That happened to be in 1987 at the first RWC. The match in RWC 2023 will thereby be a fresh match-up; something for the players and fans alike to look forward to.
Americas 1 vs Africa 1
There is now a crucial prize for the winner of the North America 1 vs South America 1 RWC qualifying series. Willy Wonka’s Golden Ticket awaits Americas 1 in the form of the most winnable pool match. Africa 1 is likely to be Namibia. The Africans are winless in 25 RWC pool matches. Uruguay toured and won a series in Namibia in 2017. Moreover, Namibia is a favored opponent compared to the probable other Band 5 teams.
Change the Record
Fiji vs Wales déjà vu
Yet Again? Yes, it has happened; yet again Fiji and Wales find themselves in the same pool. This has been a constant since the last time France hosted the Rugby World Cup. Fiji vs Wales in 2007 was a classic. Canada were in the pool with them on that occasion. Fiji and Wales were in the same pool again for RWCs 2011, 2015, and 2019. RWC 2023 will be a fifth consecutive RWC with the Dragons and Flying Fijians meeting at the pool stage.
Fiji, Wales….. and Australia… and Georgia?
But wait, there is more? Yes. Australia was in the same pool as Fiji and Wales in RWCs 2007, 2015, and 2019. 2011 is thus the one exception. Factor in that Georgia are the projected qualifiers as Europe 1 and it four of the five teams from the pool from 2019 will be repeated in 2023. In the event that Uruguay qualify as the Final Qualifying Winner then RWC 2023 Pool C would be identical to Pool D from RWC 2019.
Italy vs New Zealand
Italy and New Zealand was officially a scoreless draw at RWC 2019. Their pool match was cancelled due to Typhoon Hagibis. England vs France and Canada vs Namibia were also cancelled. The New Zealand vs Italy fixture has been a regular at RWCs. Despite not being every time like Fiji vs Wales it has happened far more often than the 25% regularity which would be the norm. Indeed, Italy vs New Zealand happened at RWCs 1987, 1991, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2019. RWC 2023 marks the seventh out of ten occasions. Indeed, 70% is far more frequent than 25%.
The Hard Luck Italians
Italy are also looking at a virtual dead end. For the fourth consecutive RWC the Italians have be drawn into a pool wherein making it to the quarter finals appears highly unlikely. Winning three out of four pool matches is the pathway to make it out of the pool. This will mean beating either France or New Zealand. Could it be much worse? Possibly. In 2019 the task was three wins including one against either New Zealand or South Africa.
Argentina vs Tonga?
Argentina await Oceania 1 in Pool D. Tonga is presently ranked as the side to qualify as Oceania 1. Results and performances in recent years do indicate that Tonga, not Samoa, is projected to qualify for this spot. That being the case then RWC 2023 will be the third consecutive RWC featuring a pool match between Los Pumas and Tonga. Their first ever meeting in any rugby test match was in Leicester, England at RWC 2015.
South Africa vs Samoa?
In prior RWCs Wales vs Fiji has arguably been overshadowed by another rivalry. RWC 2019 was the first RWC involving South Africa and Samoa wherein they did not play each other in a match. Samoa’s first RWC was 1991 and South Africa’s was 1995. The teams crossed paths in the 1995 Quarter Finals. Since then they have been in the same pool at RWCs 2003, 2007, 2011, and 2015. If Samoa qualify as projected as Asia / Pacific 1 then South Africa vs Samoa pool matches will resume in 2023 after a one tournament rest.
