Check out our team-by-team preview for Pool A of the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
Namibia
Although the Welwitschias have played 22 games at the last six World Cups, they are yet to win a game with their best result coming in a 16-17 defeat to Georgia at Sandy Park in 2015. While the likes of New Zealand and France may realistically be too strong for the Southern Africans, a win over Uruguay – and even Italy – could be within reach at this year’s event.
Last RWC finish: Fourth in Pool B, 2019
Predicted pool finish: Fourth
Iconic RWC player: Jacques Burger
Coach: Allister Coetzee
Captain: Johan Deysel
Player to watch: Aranos Coetzee
Youngster to watch: Jay-Cee Nel
7 Rugby World Cups for Namibia!
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) July 11, 2022
Namibia coach @AllisterCoetzee guides the side to #RWC2023 after beating Kenya in the @RugbyAfrique Cup! pic.twitter.com/8pgxr1cOvl
Uruguay
Los Teros will enter their fifth World Cups this term looking to avoid a wooden spoon finish in Pool A. They’ll be targeting their matches against Namibia and Italy and looking to add to their three WC wins. Having famously beaten Fiji 30-27 at the Kamaishi Recovery Memorial Stadium in 2019, they’ll be quietly confident this time round.
Last RWC appearance: Fifth in Pool D, 2019
Predicted pool finish: Fifth
Iconic RWC player: Diego Ormaechea
Coach: Esteban Meneses
Captain: Andrés Vilaseca
Player to watch: Agustín Ormaechea
Youngster to watch: Carlos Deus
At the age of 40, Diego Ormaechea scored Uruguay's first ever try at Rugby World Cup level in 1999, becoming the oldest player in history to score at an RWC. pic.twitter.com/200ZdggRQl
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) May 25, 2019
Italy
Despite the Azzurri having featured in every World Cup since 1987, they are yet to make out of a pool; finishing third at every event bar the 1999 edition. They’ve claimed 13 scalps in 31 matches at the global showpiece and will be aiming for an upset or two in France. Could Kieran Crowley’s men possibly knock over the All Blacks or the tournament hosts?
Last RWC appearance: Third in Pool B, 2019
Predicted pool finish: Third
Iconic RWC player: Sergio Parisse
Coach: Kieran Crowley
Captain: Michelle Lamaro
Player to watch: Paolo Garbisi
Youngster to watch: Ange Capuozzo
Due caps ☑ una meta ☑
— Italrugby (@Federugby) August 5, 2023
Lorenzo #Pani vola ⚡
📺 Sky Sport ▪️ TV8 ▪️ NOW#IREvITA #SummerNationsSeries#insieme #rugbypassioneitaliana pic.twitter.com/UcEPjLIGF8
France
France have never looked this good, in fact there’s reason to believe this current Les Bleus outfit is the best ever. While the losses of flyhalf Romain Ntamack and loosehead Cyril Baille are a big blow to the side’s chances, there’s enough quality in the rest of the squad to compensate as the three-time runners-up look to become world champs for the very first time.
Last RWC appearance: Second in Pool B, 2019
Predicted pool finish: First
Iconic RWC player: Thierry Dusautoir
Coach: Fabien Galthié
Captain: Antoine Dupont
Player to watch: Greg Alldritt
Youngster to watch: Matthieu Jalibert
Le plus grand moment du XV de France #RWC2007 pic.twitter.com/RCqhG8EAbm
— Rugby World Cup (@RugbyWorldCupFR) August 11, 2023
New Zealand
Although the All Blacks have been far from their all-conquering selves over the past four years, they seem to have shifted into another gear in 2023, producing some vintage performances that have made the rugby world sit up and take notice again. They are a shoo-in for a place in the last eight where they will tackle either the Springboks or Ireland. On current form, they’d be very confident of knocking either side over.
Last RWC appearance: First in Pool B, 2019
Predicted pool finish: Second
Iconic RWC player: Jonah Lomu
Coach: Ian Foster
Captain: Sam Cane
Player to watch: Scott Barrett
Youngster to watch: Tamaiti Williams
One of the most iconic kicks in RWC history 😍
— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) August 9, 2023
1️⃣ month till the 2023 Rugby World Cup kicks off…#RWC2023 pic.twitter.com/yq2WulMGJD
Verdict: France and NZ to qualify
This one is a pretty easy call to make given the gulf in class between France, the Kiwis and the rest of Pool A. There won’t be any upsets here.
