2023 RWC Buildup, Squads, Fixtures 'etc'

ionadnapokot

Warm-up Matches

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2023_Rugby_World_Cup_warm-up_matches

Squads

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2023_Rugby_World_Cup_squads

2023 RWC

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2023_Rugby_World_Cup

POOL A – New Zealand, France, Italy, Uruguay, Namibia

POOL B – South Africa, Ireland, Scotland, Romania, Tonga

POOL C – Wales, Australia, Fiji, Georgia, Portugal

POOL D – England, Japan, Argentina, Samoa, Chile

Pool Matches:

Friday, Sept 8 - France v New Zealand, Stade de France, 8.15pm RTE

Saturday, Sept 9 - Italy v Namibia, Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, 12.00pm ITV1

Saturday, Sept 9 - Ireland v Romania, Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux, 2.30pm Fuzzy Vision & ITV1

Saturday, Sept 9 - Australia v Georgia, Stade de France, 5pm RTE

Saturday, Sept 9 - England v Argentina, Stade Vélodrome, 8pm RTE

Sunday, Sept 10 - Japan v Chile, Stadium Municipal, 12pm RTE

Sunday, Sept 10 - South Africa v Scotland, Stade Vélodrome, 4.45pm ITV1

Sunday, Sept 10 - Wales v Fiji, Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux, 8pm ITV1

Thursday, Sept 14 - France v Uruguay, Stade Pierre-Mauroy, 8pm RTE

Friday, Sept 15 - New Zealand v Namibia, Stadium Municipal, 8pm ITV1

Saturday, Sept 16 - Samoa v Chile, Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux, 2pm ITV1

Saturday, Sept 16 - Wales v Portugal, Allianz Riviera, 4.45pm ITV1

Saturday, Sept 16 - Ireland v Tonga, Stade de la Beaujoire, 8pm RTE

Sunday, Sept 17 - South Africa v Romania, Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux, 2pm RTE

Sunday, Sept 17 - Australia v Fiji, Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, 4.45pm RTE

Sunday, Sept 17 - England v Japan, Allianz Riviera, 8pm ITV1

Wednesday, Sept 20 - Italy v Uruguay, Allianz Riviera, 4.45pm RTE

Thursday, Sept 21 - France v Namibia, Stade Vélodrome, 8pm ITV1

Friday, Sept 22 - Argentina v Samoa, Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, 4.45pm RTE

Saturday, Sept 23 - Georgia v Portugal, Stadium Municipal, 1pm ITV1

Saturday, Sept 23 - England v Chile, Stade Pierre-Mauroy, 4.45pm ITV1

Saturday, Sept 23 - South Africa v Ireland, Stade de France, 8pm RTE

Sunday, Sept 24 - Scotland v Tonga, Allianz Riviera, 4.45pm RTE

Sunday, Sept 24 - Wales v Australia, Parc Olympique Lyonnais, 8pm ITV1

Wednesday, Sept 27 - Uruguay v Namibia, Parc Olympique Lyonnais, 4.45pm ITV1

Thursday, Sept 28 - Japan v Samoa, Stadium Municipal, 8pm RTE

Friday, Sept 29 - New Zealand v Italy, Parc Olympique Lyonnais, 8pm ITV1

Saturday, Sept 30 - Argentina v Chile, Stade de la Beaujoire, 2pm RTE

Saturday, Sept 30 - Fiji v Georgia, Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux, 4.45pm RTE

Saturday, Sept 30 - Scotland v Romania, Stade Pierre-Mauroy, 8pm ITV1

Sunday, Oct 1 - Australia v Portugal, Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, 4.45pm ITV1

Sunday, Oct 1 - South Africa v Tonga, Stade Vélodrome, 8pm RTE

Thursday, Oct 5 - New Zealand v Uruguay, Parc Olympique Lyonnais, 8pm ITV1

Friday, Oct 6 - France v Italy, Parc Olympique Lyonnais, 8pm RTE

Saturday, Oct 7 - Wales v Georgia, Stade de la Beaujoire, 2pm RTE

Saturday, Oct 7 - England v Samoa, Stade Pierre-Mauroy, 4.45pm RTE

Saturday, Oct 7 - Ireland v Scotland, Stade de France, 8pm Fuzzy Vision & ITV1

Sunday, Oct 8 - Japan v Argentina, Stade de la Beaujoire, 12pm ITV1

Sunday, Oct 8 - Tonga v Romania, Stade Pierre-Mauroy, 4.45pm RTE

Sunday, Oct 8 - Fiji v Portugal, Stadium Municipal, 8pm RTE

Quarter-finals – Fuzzy Vison will ‘show’ Ireland match

Saturday, Oct 14 - Winner Pool C v Runner-up Pool D, Stade Vélodrome, 4pm ITV4 & tbc

Saturday, Oct 14 - Winner Pool B v Runner-up Pool A, Stade de France, 8pm ITV4 & tbc

Sunday, Oct 15 - Winner Pool D v Runner-up Pool C, Stade Vélodrome, 4pm ITV4 & tbc

Sunday, Oct 15 - Winner Pool 4 v Runner-up Pool B, Stade de France, 8pm ITV4 & tbc

Semi-finals – RTE will show Ireland match

Friday, Oct 20 - Winner QF 1 v Winner QF 2, Stade de France, 8pm ITV4 & tbc

Saturday, Oct 21 - Winner QF 3 v Winner QF 4, Stade de France, 8pm ITV4 & tbc

Bronze final

Friday, Oct 27 - Runner-up SF 1 v Runner-up SF 2, Stade de France, 8pm ITV4

Final

Saturday, Oct 28 - Winner SF 1 v Winner SF 2, Stade de France, 8pm RTE

ionadnapokot

NZ (18 Forwards / 15 Backs) 4 Locks, 5 BR, 3 SH, 3 OH

Argentina (18 Forwards / 15 Backs) 3 Locks, 7 BR, 3 SH, 2 OH

Fiji (18 Forwards / 15 Backs) 5 Locks, 4 BR, 3 SH, 2 OH

England (19 Forwards / 14 Backs) 4 Locks, 6 BR, 3 SH, 3 OH

Samoa (19 Forwards / 14 Backs)* 4 Props, 4 Locks, 7 BR, 3 SH, 2 OH

SA naming their squad today

Rumours flying that Pollard, Lukhanyo Am and Lood de Jager will not make the squad

Massive!

Buer

For context, they're all injured/ill. But yeah, being posted widely that all three are out.

ionadnapokot

I repeat. Massive!

sydthebeat

i have seen a squad released that didnt have DDA or Mapimpi in it, but i wont at all believe that until i see it.

Former Former Former

I see that Scotland released Adam Hastings due to injury, leaving Russell and Ben Healy as the only out-halves (unless you count Kinghorn), so looks like Healy is on the plane, fair play to him.

sydthebeat

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120952116#Comment_120952116

with Hoggs retirement, Kinghorn was their immediate replacement for him at 15, so at this case Healy is nailed in.

Former Former Former

In other news, our pool opponents Romania got beaten - at home - by the USA Eagles over the weekend. Nick McCarthy made his debut for the USA, partnering Luke Carty at half-back, with a couple more ex-AIL players in the XV.

Not a good omen for Romania's RWC chances

Shehal

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120952022#Comment_120952022

Knowing how brainless some punters have been over the rugby championship SA odds will probably shorten even more now!

ionadnapokot

I was quietly confident that Ireland would beat SA. They are knackered from so much rugby.

We saw the limitations of Willemse at 10 v Ire in Nov and again v NZ.

SA have tried evolving their attack (a few more fluid pods) and Libbok is the only one who fits that system BUT he also needs Le Roux as the other playmaker for it to work.

DNA of Springboks attack is to have the direct power up front and a driving 10.

Pollard was crucial for them on and off the ball, guiding the big units around the field and using the flat options to create space for the runners behind.

Now they are also loosing massive power in pack and pods in de Jager and their key player in attack and defense in Am. Goosed.

Its never going to be easy v's SA. And Ireland struggled to get any decent ball v Boks blitz in Nov. Sexton was continually lit up by DdA and Kriel in the opening 30mins. But there are severely limited now in attack. Just tackle Kolbe. Easy!

Could be the ideal game for Stu McCloskey at 12 and Aki/Henshaw from bench.

Shehal

Pollard and SA are probably SA's most important backs, both of them being is detrimental to SA's chances of winning the RWC.

sydthebeat

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120952203#Comment_120952203

interestly an irish player scored 4 of the 5 USA tries that day...

and in romania news, they brought in Vern Cotter as consultant for the RWC

sydthebeat

after all of Englands chopping and changing over the last 4 years, with 18 different backs capped in the mean time....

Englands starting back line in RWC 23 could very easily be the one that started the RWC 2019 final, with one single change

15 Daly, 14 Watson, 13 Tuilagi, 12 Farrell, 11 May, 10 Ford, 9 Youngs

versus

15 Stewart, 14 Watson, 13 Tuilagi, 12 Farrell, 11 Daly, 10 Ford, 9 Youngs

 

Dubinusa

DDA has been very poor. Esterhuisen has looked a lot better, imo. But S.A need Pollard. Libbock is poor off the tee. I would not write them off but, they really are struggling to find an out half.

England may struggle to get out of the group. Borthwick has a lot of pressure on him.

Buer

Whilst Am would be a loss, he hasn't come close to reaching the form of previous years in 2023 to the extent that some SA publications and supporters were questioning his spot in the team.

Pollard is a huge loss for them. He's robotic in his kicking both from hand and the tee. Libbok doesn't come close. I think Libbok was less than 70% this season in the URC so they may rely on FDK or Kolbe to take their kicks at goal.

LDJ is another significant loss. Little enough information on what his situation is but supposedly his issue is more severe than the originally reported chest infection that was keeping him out of their 23.

Dillonb3

Elton Jantjies is been brought back into the Springboks team after been kicked out few months back

ionadnapokot

SA Squad (19 Forwards / 14 Backs) 2 Hookers*, 5 Props, 8 BR, 2 OH, 4 SH*

Forwards:

Props: Steven Kitshoff (Ulster – 74 caps, 10 points), Vincent Koch (Cell C Sharks – 45 caps, 0 points), Frans Malherbe (DHL Stormers – 61 caps, 5 points), Ox Nche (Cell C Sharks – 19 caps, 0 points), Trevor Nyakane (Racing 92 – 61 caps, 5 points).

Hookers: Bongi Mbonambi (Cell C Sharks – 60 caps, 60 points), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears – 61 caps, 75 points).

Locks: Eben Etzebeth (Cell C Sharks – 112 caps, 25 points), Jean Kleyn (Munster – 2 caps, 0 points), Marvin Orie (Perpignan – 14 caps, 0 points), RG Snyman (Munster – 26 caps, 5 points).

Loose Forwards: Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz – 69 caps, 30 points), Siya Kolisi (captain – Racing 92 – 75 caps, 45 points), Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs – 33 caps, 25 points), Marco van Staden (Vodacom Bulls – 12 caps, 0 points), Duane Vermeulen (SA Rugby – 68 caps, 15 points), Jasper Wiese (Leicester – 22 caps, 5 points).

Utility Forwards: *Deon Fourie (DHL Stormers – 7 caps, 0 points), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat – 65 caps, 15 points).

Backs:

Scrumhalves: Faf de Klerk (Canon Eagles – 48 caps, 44 points), Jaden Hendrikse (Cell C Sharks – 12 caps, 12 points), *Cobus Reinach (Montpelllier – 25 caps, 45 points), Grant Williams (Cell C Sharks – 4 caps, 0 points).

Flyhalves: Manie Libbok (DHL Stormers – 7 caps, 45 points), Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers – 31 caps, 36 points).

Centres: Damian de Allende (Panasonic Wild Knights – 72 caps, 50 points), Andre Esterhuizen (Harlequins – 13 caps, 0 points), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles – 61 caps, 60 points).

Outside Backs: Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls – 9 caps, 50 points), Cheslin Kolbe (Suntory Sungoliath – 25 caps, 81 points), Willie le Roux (Vodacom Bulls – 86 caps, 65 points), Makazole Mapimpi (Cell C Sharks – 38 caps, 115 points), Canan Moodie (Vodacom Bulls – 6 caps, 10 points).

Rugbymad2020

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120952704#Comment_120952704

No he’s not!

sydthebeat

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120952704#Comment_120952704

lay off the hard stuff dillon ;)

ionadnapokot

Flyhalf Handre Pollard (calf), Lukhanyo Am (knee) and Lood de Jager (chest problem) have been placed on standby with six other players. The Springbok coaches were hopeful that they may return to full training before the start of the tournament and be available for call-up in the event of injury.

................................................................................................

Nienaber also announced that nine players would be placed on standby – five of whom will travel with the team to Cardiff and London for their last two World Cup warm-up matches against Wales (19 August) and New Zealand (25 August).

The nine players are Am (centre), Joseph Dweba (hooker), De Jager (lock), Jean-Luc du Preez (utility forward), Thomas du Toit (prop), Herschel Jantjies (scrumhalf), Pollard (flyhalf), Evan Roos (No 8) and Gerhard Steenekamp (prop). The five travelling to the UK on Saturday are Dweba, Du Toit, Du Preez, Pollard and Am.

https://www.springboks.rugby/news-features/articles/2023/08/08/nienaber-names-youth-and-experience-in-exciting-rwc-squad/

I wonder will Cobus Reinach be the Kevin O’Callaghan of this squad - “Try and make it a clean break, will ya?”

Nothing would be beyond Michael Caine Erasmus

1st Sep is the official deadline for the Squad to be formally summited.

Interesting squad from the one pumpers. If they've to rely on Jantjies in any significant fixture I'd be concerned.

Quin_Dub

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120954277#Comment_120954277

1 genuine out-half ,2 genuine hookers, 1 genuine outside centre and 4 Scrum-halves of all things?

Really odd combination of positional coverage.

A poorly timed injury to Libbock inside the 48hr replacement window before a big game and they are in big trouble, somewhat less so if they had an injury to one of Marx/Bonambi but still a significant risk overall.

Buer

An injury to Libbok and Willemse plays 10. I don't think he's great at 10 but he has plenty of experience there. He was their starting outhalf last November.

I'm also half expecting Pollard to magically be part of their squad after the pool stage. There will be several guys who are likely to be surplus to requirements come the knock outs, most likely a scrum half.

Quin_Dub

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120955804#Comment_120955804

And he was very poor and has even less control than Libbok when put under pressure.

Without Pollard , Outhalf is a significant weakness for South Africa.

Clegg

Australia squad has been named. Michael Hooper is out and Quade Cooper appears to have been dropped too. Will Skelton is the new captain. They've only selected one recognised 10 in Carter Gordon.

Feel awful for Hooper. He's the one consistently great player they've had over the last decade. Deserved the make the World Cup.

https://twitter.com/wallabies/status/1689557194096672768?t=nyURf__d7LKBUj8t4dKH8Q&s=09

leakyboots

Eddie Jones doing Eddie Jones things

Quin_Dub

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120959335#Comment_120959335

Has Skelton ever been Captain for any team he has played for up to now??

I assume the star beside the name means that this is their 1st world cup?

If so there aren't very many guys who've been to a WC before.

Agree on Hooper , always liked him as a player - A genuinely world-class backrow.

Larbre34

It astounds me that you still hear people in Rugby say 'I have all the respect in the World for Eddie Jones'.

sydthebeat

absolutely MENTAL squad by Jones.

carter gordon as their sole specialist out half, with ben Donaldson (of all players) as their back up out half... a guy with 1 start at 10 for the wallabies)

no quade cooper, no michael hooper, no reece hodge (which is just a surprising imo)

ikitau didnt overcome his injury so thats understandable, he will seriously be missed at 13 for them.

max jorgenson brought in with zero test experience and only 800mins of pro rugby behind him. good player but extremely green.

blake schoupp with even less experience with 3, yes 3 professional rugby starts in his career. 425 mins of pro rugby and hes now a test RWC player.... and hes a loose head! where they have loads of cover already. its tighthead they are screwed in. That mean that Angus Bell will move over to TH in my opinion, with nonggoor and fa'amilsli.

its really a pretty callow squad

Clegg

^

Yeah the online reaction to the Australia has been pretty mixed. From what I've read, they're bringing more inexperienced players than anticipated and some who are excellent athletes, but unproven at the top level.

Yeah_Right

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120959421#Comment_120959421

Yeah the star means its their first RWC. I think Eddie has told the ARU that this squad is all about the 2027 RWC (which is in Aus I think) and he's building to win that.

Agreed that its harsh on Hooper.

Clegg

Eddie Jones sacrificing results in the medium term in order to build towards a World Cup?

What could go wrong?

Quin_Dub

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120959511#Comment_120959511

Feels like Eddie buying himself breathing room for the rest of his contract.

"I'm building for the 2027 WC in Australia" ,"Judge me on my results there" etc.

So that's two Southern Hemisphere teams picking only one outhalf in a panel of 33.

And both going in without a genuine front line goal kicker either.

ionadnapokot

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120959425#Comment_120959425

I think he's a good coach. Insufferable. Dislikable and an awful selector.

Total madness of a squad. 1 OH!!!

Donaldson as cover? Kemeny before Samu?

Vunivalu selection is a joke.

Nobody would have selected Skelton as Captain. So many strange calls.

Good news is that Ireland will smash that team in the Semi-Final!

TheRona

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120959568#Comment_120959568

If Ireland play like they did last November, Aussie is definitely still capable of a win.

sydthebeat

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120959615#Comment_120959615

Australia are without 13 of that 23 from that game !!

certainly not the same Australia.

TheRona

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120959629#Comment_120959629

Yeah, I mainly meant that Ireland didn't play well the last time they met. They can't afford to be complacent, although I'm sure the squad won't do that in the way some supporters seem to.

sydthebeat

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120959644#Comment_120959644

agreed, we were poor enough.

though i certainly think if that aussie 23 from last november were to play the pick of this 33 squad they would win with a distance.

ionadnapokot

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120959615#Comment_120959615

Maybe! Crowley was parachuted in very late for his first start and JG-P had to take all the ball early. No Lowe either that day!

To put that match and EJ selection into perspective only 7 players from the starting XV have made the 33:

LH: James Slipper (34, ACT Brumbies, Bond Pirates, 131 Tests)

Hooker: David Porecki (30, NSW Waratahs, Seaforth Raiders, 14 Tests)

Lock: Nick Frost (23, ACT Brumbies, Hornsby Lions, 12 Tests)

BR: Rob Valetini (24, ACT Brumbies, Melbourne Harlequins, 34 Tests)

SH: Nic White (33, ACT Brumbies, Muswellbrook Healers, 63 Tests)

Wing: Mark Nawaqanitawase (22, NSW Waratahs, Wests Juniors, 6 Tests)*

FB: Andrew Kellaway (27, Melbourne Rebels, Hunters Hill Rugby Club, 23 Tests)

And 3 Players from the bench:

Taniela Tupou (27, Queensland Reds, Brothers Rugby Club, 48 Tests)

Will Skelton (c) (31, La Rochelle, Wentworth Magpies, 28 Tests)

Jordan Petaia (23, Queensland Reds, Wests Rugby Club, 27 Tests)

And these 2 prob would have started:

Samu Kerevi (29, Urayasu D-Rocks, Souths Magpies, 45 Tests)

Marika Koroibete (31, Saitama Wild Knights, Nasinu Secondary School, 55 Tests)

There are at least 20 (maybe 10!) players that are 'debatable' selections. The maddest selection I've ever seen for a WC.

All of the Irish 23 that day will make the WC squad

AdamD

Eddie's buying himself excuses

Shehal

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120959615#Comment_120959615

If Australia couldnt win that game considering how Ireland played and the circumstances Ireland faced then they will never win.

TheRona

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120960397#Comment_120960397

The number one ranked team in the world at home to the team ranked 8th in the world at the time, and Aussie should have won? I think Australia would've had a decent shout at this world cup if they'd stuck with Rennie, considering their draw. I still wouldn't be surprised if they pull a big performance out when it gets to the knockout stages of the World Cup.

Shehal

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120960977#Comment_120960977

I think you know very well what I meant when I mentioned circumstances. They would to be fair as they would only have gotten better with more continuity in the coaching staff. I think with Eddie they took a big risk by potentially sacrificing the progress Rennie made to potentially increase their chances of RWC glory, at the moment it's not looking likely to pay off but with Eddie you never know.

Quin_Dub

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120960977#Comment_120960977

Australia will need to beat England or Argentina to get to a SF - Hardly a massive challenge based on current form.

That side of the draw is a complete pisstake up to the Semi-Finals.

Shehal

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120961219#Comment_120961219

But any team that makes the semi will get a massive reality check when they reach that stage. The winner of the A/B Qf's will contest the final imo.

Pete_Cavan

So England have Youngs and Care in their squad, amazing to think that they haven't produced a decent scrum half in the last decade. JvP is there too but I'm not convinced he's particularly good (yet). Doak would walk into their squad but can't get a look in with Ireland.

They are still flogging Dan Cole too I see.

ionadnapokot

England have shot themselves in the foot with a bazooka. Jones made it ALL about this WC. Mad to get rid of him.

I think they will loose to Argentina in the first game. Then they play Japan. I wouldn't be totally shocked if their WC is over after game 2.

Now Jones has made it ALL about the next WC with Australia!

There are 20 players in the Wallaby squad that will be under the age of 31 at the 2027 RWC.

England's squad will have 13 players

Ireland's(tbc) will have 9 players

Kelleher, Hansen, Dorris, Sheehan, O’Toole, Casey, Baird, Crowley, McCarthy

And SA will have just 4!

Ireland will have 4 players (Sexton, Earls, Healy, Murray) in the squad playing in their 4th WC! Would that be a record?

Ireland v SA will be the 'Dads army' game of this WC. Ireland with 15 players over the age of 31 and SA will have 16.

Hopefully Doak delivers on his promise and will be the starting 9 in the next few years. Ireland will also need a few of those U20's to come through soon.

pickarooney

Ireland always seem to have one of the oldest sides at the WC. Anyone know the average/median age of all the winners?

Quin_Dub

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120965695#Comment_120965695

With the possible exception of the '91 Australian team I'd say all the winning teams were on the older end of the scale.

aloooof

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120965695#Comment_120965695

I know SA were definitely very much on the upper end of the average age distribution of teams at the last RWC, at least. (Possibly highest Tier 1 team).

Iamabeliever

New Zealand have the most balanced squad picked so far. It's very difficult to bet against the home nation in the opening gane but I can see new Zealand winning that one