Rugby World Cup 2023 quarterfinal draw confirmed, Australian TV times, teams, news, predictions
The Rugby World Cup 2023 quarterfinal draw is complete with all four matches pitting northern hemisphere teams against sides from the south. Check back here for teams and developing storylines as the week progresses.
QF 1: Wales vs Argentina, Sunday 2am AEDT, Marseille
How they got there: Wales topped Australia’s pool C by winning all four games including a thumping 40-6 win over the Wallabies. Argentina finished second behind England, beating Japan is a virtual sudden death game after also accounting for Samoa and Chile.
Storylines
Wales will be without No 8 Taulupe Faletau after he suffered a broken arm against Georgia. There are doubts over backup flyhalf Gareth Anscombe who suffered a groin injury in the warm up.
Argentina will have to assess star forward Pablo Matera, although coach Michael Cheika says the prognosis on his hamstring does not look good.
What they’re saying
Wales star Louis Rees-Zammit: “Argentina have got a good kicking game and they are a threat on the ball. “We are building nice momentum. We’re getting the job done and really looking forward to the quarter-finals.”
Argentina coach Michael Cheika: “What changes now is the mentality. I feel like some of our boys, if you look at the crowd here today, so many Argentineans who have put their savings together and come for this week, next week. I think they’ve felt a bit of that pressure. “Now everyone is happy, the crowd is happy, they’re into it, they’re ripe for the next stage, maybe we can just chill out and go for it, play some good footy and we’ll see where the cards fall, see how we go.”
Teams: TBC
Prediction: Wales by 5 points.
QF 2: Ireland vs New Zealand, Sunday 6am AEDT, St-Denis
How they got there: Ireland marched to a 17th-straight victory when they dominated Scotland, having laid down an early marker by beating South Africa to top pool B. New Zealand lost their opening game in pool A against France but dominated since then, including 25 tries in walloping Italy and Uruguay in their final two pool matches.
Storylines
New Zealand have doubts over props Tyrel Lomax and Fletcher Newell and are seeking revenge for a 2-1 series loss in NZ last year. Ireland have never won a knockout game at a World Cup and the world No.1 ranked team is on course for a record-breaking run of wins.
What they’re saying
Ireland captain Johnny Sexton: “We went to New Zealand [last year] and Andy [Farrell] told us he put us under the most pressure he could find. To go on a three-test tour but also do the midweek games, it was to test us and to make us learn.
“We learned so many lessons on that tour to take with us for the Six Nations, to win a Grand Slam. To put us in this situation again, to have to play them again. They have said it’s the one they want, they are hurting and they want to put it right. That is the biggest challenge in rugby, to beat them when they are in that frame of mind. Two teams will both be under pressure and it will be who copes with that the best.”
New Zealand coach Ian Foster: “It’s about treasuring each day and knowing that this is what we’ve worked for – the preparation that we’ve put in is to get us to this point – and to make sure that each day we get what we needed done at a really high level.
“It’s a phase of the tournament that we love, we love these big occasions – there’s no tomorrow to them. It just narrows down the focus, so keeping it simple like that is key for us.
“Everyone hopes they can go well in the play-offs, I guess we know that we can and we have, and we’ve got to rely on that and build on it.”
Teams: TBC
Prediction: Ireland by 7 points.
QF 3: England vs Fiji, Monday 2am AEDT, Marseille
How they got there: England were lucky to keep their perfect record intact with a one-point win over Samoa. Fiji beat Australia, Georgia and lost to Portugal, although a losing bonus point in that game was enough to get them through.
Storylines
England came into the tournament with woeful form, including a first-ever loss to Fiji at Twickenham. Sam Underhill has been called into the squad to replace injured Jack Willis. Centre Manu Tuilagi and hooker Jamie George picked up knocks in the victory over Samoa but both are expected to be fit.
Fiji were really poor before falling to to Portugal and coach Simon Rawalui will need to work on their composure this week.
What they’re saying
England coach Steve Borthwick: “There have been many times these players have been written off quite badly, there were many Ultimately there were many people that wrote that this team would not get out of the group stages and the team has progressed.”
Teams: TBC
Prediction: England by 10 points
QF 4: France vs South Africa, Monday 6am, St-Denis
How they got there: France topped their pool with a perfect record after overcoming the All Blacks impressively on opening night. They have done well to overcome the loss of Antoine Dupont, who is in contention for a return. South Africa lost a tight match to Ireland when their goal-kicking went awry and qualify as second in pool B.
Storylines
The recovery of Dupont from a facial injury suffered against Namibia is dominating French news, but Damain Penaud also limped off against Italy. South Africa have had a week off to prepare, and face a huge selection call.
What they’re saying
France assistant Karim Ghezal on the chances of Dupont playing: “His physical qualities are impressive. He’s worked hard physically, done a lot of running, a lot of speed work. Those are his strong points. The next step, is the appointment with his surgeon, who will decide. Physically, he hasn’t lost much in the week he’s been off, quite the opposite in fact. Physically, he’s in great shape.”
South Africa prop Vincent Koch: “We zoomed into our game this past week and the coaches came up with plans on where we can improve so that we are at the level we need to be for the quarterfinal and to be in a position to play our best rugby, and the players bought into it, so it was a good training week.”
Teams: TBC
Prediction: France by 3 points.
