Check out our team-by-team preview for Pool C of the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
Portugal
Portugal can be proud at qualifying for what is just their second ever Rugby World Cup, though they won’t find it easy against their pool opponents. Hopefully the 16th-ranked Europeans can find a way to hold their own.
Last RWC finish: Fifth in Pool C, 2007
Predicted pool finish: Fifth
Iconic RWC player: Pedro Leal
Coach: Patrice Lagisquet
Captain: Tomás Appleton
Player to watch: Mike Tadjer
Youngster to watch: José Madeira
Portugal became the 20th team to qualify for Rugby World Cup 2023 as they secured a 16-16 draw in a nail-biting deciding match of the Final Qualification Tournament against USA.
— RHABULA ☕️🐻 | Rugby World Cup 2023 (@Rugby_Scoop) November 18, 2022
pic.twitter.com/eXTy14SgM4
Georgia
Georgia will definitely be eyeing a quarterfinal spot considering the underwhelming recent performances of the likes of Australia and Wales. That said, their clash with Fiji on 30 September will potentially be their biggest in terms of setting up last eight qualification.
Last RWC finish: Fourth in Pool D, 2019
Predicted pool finish: Fourth
Iconic RWC player: Mamuka Gorgodze
Coach: Levan Maisashvili
Captain: Merab Sharikadze
Player to watch: Beka Gigashvili
Youngster to watch: Davit Niniashvili
On tomorrow’s Squidge Rugby World Cup Retrospective: Georgia down Namibia in their first ever RWC win, and we have some deep discussions on corruption and bull fighting. pic.twitter.com/rOjAm4Lv4G
— Will Owen (@will_owen9) July 6, 2023
Fiji
Like Georgia, the Pacific Islanders will be out to earn quarterfinal qualification for only the third time and the first since 2007. Having defeated Wales in the pool stages in the latter tournament, they’ll be hoping history repeats itself in France.
Last RWC finish: Third in Pool D, 2019
Predicted pool finish: Third
Iconic RWC player: Leone Nakarawa
Coach: Simon Raiwalui
Captain: Waisea Nayacalevu
Player to watch: Josua Tuisova
Youngster to watch: Jiuta Wainiqolo
This week on the Squidge Rugby World Cup Retrospective pod: myself and @SquidgeRugby watch the Fiji vs Wales from the 2007 Rugby World Cup for the first time ever, and talk out the trauma at length. We discuss the impacts of the game, from coffee tables to car parks.
— Will Owen (@will_owen9) August 8, 2023
Out Friday. pic.twitter.com/8IMu2XVi4R
Australia
With all and sundry having already written them off, Eddie Jones has remained convinced that his Wallabies outfit has what it takes to go all the way. Although their fellow pool opposition will be far from pushovers, they are certainly seeded on the right side of the draw as far as knockout qualification goes. Could they spring the greatest of surprises this year?
Last RWC finish: Quarterfinals, 2019
Predicted pool finish: First
Iconic RWC player: John Eales
Coach: Eddie Jones
Captain: Will Skelton
Player to watch: Fraser McReight
Youngster to watch: Carter Gordon
Like lightning ⚡
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) August 13, 2023
Marika Koroibete put on a show in Australia's #RWC2019 opener against Fiji 🇦🇺#RWC2023 pic.twitter.com/tXQhoYz8oD
Wales
Without a plethora of experienced heads to rely on, Warren Gatland’s youthful Welsh side will need to learn fast if they are to hold off the likes of Georgia and Fiji, as well as best Australia. Like the Wallabies, Wales at least have the advantage of flying under the radar somewhat.
Last RWC finish: Fourth, 2019
Predicted pool finish: Second
Iconic RWC player: Adam Jones
Coach: Warren Gatland
Co-captains: Dewi Lake and Jac Morgan
Player to watch: Adam Beard
Youngster to watch: Rio Dyer
🏴 Dyma’r 33 chwaraewr fydd yn cynrychioli tair miliwn o bobl Cymru.
— Welsh Rugby Union 🏴 (@WelshRugbyUnion) August 21, 2023
🏴 The 33 players ready to represent the 3 million people of Wales#WelshRugby | #ViveLeCymru pic.twitter.com/H3ry1ZLAsZ
Verdict: Wallabies and Wales to progress
Fiji and Georgia will be pushing hard for some upset wins, but ultimately Wales and Australia will have too much.
