With the Australian Wallabies out of the group stage for the first time in Rugby World Cup (RWC) history and four Northern Hemisphere teams on top of every pool, also for the first time in history, the 2023 edition in France has given fans all over the globe a fantabulous time. In the RWC in 2007, yet again in France, four Southern Hemisphere teams were pool winners for the first time.
With just 19 days until the biggest game in Paris, it’s time for the road-to-finals with the quarter-final clashes set to begin from Saturday (14) onwards.
Here are some details on the best games of the last group stage
Portugal 24-23 Fiji
The final game of the group stages proved to be one of the most entertaining games ever seen in Rugby World Cup history as clear-cut underdogs, world No. 16 Portugal defeated the No. 8-ranked team in the world, Fiji, with a mere single point. It was much more of a historic affair for the Portuguese as this became their maiden win at a Rugby World Cup match. At the end of the long full-time whistle at exactly 02.20 a.m. SL time, it was 24-23 with the Flying Fijians falling down to their knees.
This win for Portugal proves the true spirit of the Rugby World Cup where anyone can dare to take up any strong team and prove that the up-and-coming nations in the sport are a force to be reckoned with. This also shows and teaches the so-called top-tier elite nations that the tier 2 up-and-coming teams deserve more playing opportunities with the top teams.
Argentina 39-27 Japan
Los Pumas set up a Rugby World Cup quarter-final date with Wales after a thrilling and mouthwatering end-to-end rugby clash with Asia’s only hope Japan.
It was the hat-trick of tries from Mateo Carreras that carried Argentina with the big “W” in their winner-takes-all Pool D encounter. The Pumas also sported a very unique flashy jersey this time around consisting of a mix of blue, white, and red.
According to Stuff.co.nz, Argentina have only beaten Wales once in their last seven tussles and Wales coach Warren Gatland has won six out of six against the team standing between him and a third semi-final in four World Cups (he was on Lions sabbatical when Argentina won in Cardiff in 2012).
RWC QUARTER-FINALS
Wales vs. Argentina – Sat. Oct. 14 at 8.30 p.m.
Ireland vs. New Zealand – Sun. Oct. 15 at 12.30 a.m.
England vs. Fiji Sun. – Oct. 15 at 8.30 p.m.
France vs. South Africa – Mon. Oct. 16 at 12.30 a.m.
(All times are in Sri Lanka time)