Rugby World Cup: Ireland, New Zealand headline Powerful Quarterfinal Field

 The 2023 Rugby World Cup took off in France on the 8th of September. The pool stages have been intense, with players displaying some competitive and well-expected skills. At this point, only one side has guaranteed itself a quarter-final spot straight into the finals.

The stunning performance of Wales has ensured its progression during the Rugby World Cup.

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As the Rugby World Cup draws nigh to an end, people can’t help but wonder if the reigning champions will maintain their current status. Read on as we look at the team’s performance during the 2023 World Cup.

A Brief History 

The Rugby World Cup is a union tournament that happens every four years. It involves some top international teams and is administered by World Rugby. The winners walk away with the Webb Ellis Cup.

The first tournament occurred in 1987 and was hosted by New Zealand and Australia. So far, four countries have won the trophy: South Africa and New Zealand thrice, Australia twice, and England once. South Africa is the current reigning champion, defeating England in the 2019 Rugby World Cup final.

Since its debut, 16 teams have participated in the tournament, which changed in 1999 when 20 teams started participating.

Structure of The Tournament 

The tournament has 20 nations competing for six weeks, with two stages in the tournament, which are a pool and then a knockout round. There are four pools with five countries each. The teams are seeded based on their world ranking.

The draw into the four pools comprises four of the highest-ranked countries. Four high-ranking teams are also drawn into the pools, followed by the next 4. Qualifiers fill up the remaining positions.

Each team then plays against the others in each pool, making four pool games per team. A bonus point system is used. If, by any chance, the points are drawn, supplementary criteria then determine the higher-ranked.

The knock-outs have eight teams, which include the runner-up and winner from each pool. From this stage come the quarter and semifinals before the final. The winner of each pool plays against the runner-up from a different pool in the quarter-final.

Then, the winner of each quarter-final goes into the semifinals, and the winners proceed to the final. The losers in the semifinals contest for third place, also known as the Bronze final.

What Happened With the Last Rugby World Cup?

Japan made history in 2019 by becoming the first Asian country to host a Rugby World Cup. They also reached the quarter-final stage of the tournament.

They put up an outstanding performance in the tournament by beating their entire pool, which had Russia, Ireland, Samoa, and Scotland. Unfortunately, they had to bow down to the reigning champions South Africa in the quarter-final.

How Things Are Going for the Reigning Champions

A match everyone has been talking about was the quarter-final qualifier between the reigning champions, South Africa and Ireland. South Africa wore a new kit to avoid clashing with the Irish team.

In this match, South Africa reportedly kicked the ball only 16 times, resulting in a 13-8 loss to Ireland, while the Irish kicked it 20 times. The game changed the idea of the rugby match being a kicking tournament.

This tournament sets out the two teams that are currently setting the standard. Despite the game’s intensity, the discipline displayed by both sides was intriguing. South Africa’s loss to Ireland means they will face France in one quarter-final match.

After France’s Anthony Dupont sustained a facial fracture, South Africa will start as favorites. This match is the first time the two teams meet at a Rugby World Cup. 

Some History: South Africa and Ireland 

The history dates back to 1906 when an Irish side hosted South Africans in Belfast. South Africa won 15 of the first 16 matches within 98 years to 2004.

Since then, favor has shifted to Ireland, who have won seven of the 10 most recent games, including the last two played in Dublin in November 2017 and 2022.

Memorable Fixture

The last win of the Springboks over Ireland was in Port Elizabeth in June 2016, where they had a 19-13 victory. They resisted several Irish attacks, including a 21-phase assault with four minutes remaining.

Remaining Pool Fixtures

Here are the remaining pool fixtures in the World Cup, from pools A to D.

ool A

Pool A has two of the favorites: New Zealand and France. Italy is in second place, and France is at the top with 13 points after three games. Italy and the All Blacks are behind them on 10 and 5 points, respectively. Uruguay and Namibia are pointless.

Pool B 

Pool B has been nicknamed the Pool of Death as it has some of the most experienced teams. Three teams in the pool have a chance of progressing. The three teams are Ireland, South Africa, and Scotland.

Ireland sits at the top with fourteen points but isn’t safe yet. South Africa has 10 points; a bonus-point win should be enough for the Springboks.

Pool C

Wales is through, and the only way for them to lose the top spot is if they lose to Georgia and Fiji.

Pool D

England may make it through as they sit at the top with fourteen points. The second-place battle is between Samoa, Japan, and Argentina; they all look to be the runner-up.

The Verdict

With South Africa not yet kicked out in the pool stages, there’s a possibility that they could win. Their coach, Jacques Nienaber, has also mentioned that the 13-8 defeat to Ireland was a passing phase as the Champions can still win the World Cup.

He also said that they compete to win just like everyone else. He noted that they’ve also played against a team that is number one in the world and only lost by five points.