1
RWC 2023 R4: All Blacks fire, Georgia close and Boks get it done
In an action-packed week 4 of Rugby World Cup 2023, Uruguay showcased their resilience with an impressive comeback, Japan kept their quarter-final hopes alive in Pool D and New Zealand entertained with a resounding victory over Italy. Elsewhere, Fiji staged a second-half rally to defeat Georgia, while Scotland thumped Romania and Portugal showed a lot of heart against the Wallabies. Finally, defending champions South Africa delivered a strong performance against courageous Tonga to lead Pool B, awaiting their quarter-final fate.
Uruguay vs Namibia 36-26
Uruguay made an impressive comeback, overcoming a 14-point deficit to defeat Namibia 36-26 in Pool A at OL Stadium. Namibia initially took the lead with early tries, but Uruguay’s forward power and composure turned the game around, capitalising on Namibia’s discipline issues, including two yellow cards and a red card. Santiago Arata, the Player of the Match, dedicated the victory to Uruguayan fans, while both teams acknowledged the significance of the match in their Rugby World Cup 2023 journey. Uruguay next face New Zealand in their final pool game, while Namibia heads home.
Japan vs Samoa 28-22
Japan’s 28-22 victory over Samoa at Stadium de Toulouse keeps their quarter-final hopes alive in Pool D. Pieter Labuschagne and Michael Leitch scored for Japan, while Samoa’s Jonathan Taumateine was yellow-carded. Despite Shota Horie’s sin-bin for Japan, Seilala Lam’s try closed the gap to 17-8 at halftime. Captain Kazuki Himeno extended Japan’s lead, but Samoa fought back with tries from Duncan Paia’aua and Christian Leali’ifano. Japan’s captain, Himeno, thanked their supporters, while coach Jamie Joseph commended his team’s efforts. Samoa face England next as they will look to go out with a bang.
New Zealand vs Italy 96-17
The All Blacks‘ dominant performance against Italy ended in a resounding 96-17 win at OL Stadium in Pool A. In an unbelievable first half, the All Blacks ran riot, scoring 35 unanswered points, with scrum-half Aaron Smith securing a hat-trick. Despite a brief response from Italy early in the second half, New Zealand continued to dominate with seven more tries, ending with 14 in total. Italy, facing a tough defeat, vowed to regroup for their next match, against hosts France.
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Match Summary 
0
Penalty Goals
1
14
Tries
2
13
Conversions
2
0
Drop Goals
0
135
Carries
98
20
Line Breaks
6
10
Turnovers Lost
13
6
Turnovers Won
1
Argentina vs Chile 59-5
Argentina secured a bonus-point 59-5 victory over Chile in Pool D, starting with flyhalf Nicolas Sanchez marking his 100th cap by scoring the opening try. Los Pumas extended their lead with tries from Juan Martín González and Agustín Creevy, while Martin Bogado secured the bonus point and they scored further tries through Isgro and González to seal the win. Sanchez became Argentina’s all-time leading Rugby World Cup points scorer, while Tomas Dussaillant scored Chile’s solo try. Argentina faces Japan for a crucial quarter-final spot next.
Fiji vs Georgia 17-12
Fiji staged a comeback to secure a 17-12 victory over Georgia in a thrilling Pool C contest at Stade de Bordeaux. Georgia took a nine-point lead into halftime, but Fiji rallied in the second half as captain Waisea Nayacalevu and Vinaya Habosi scored crucial tries and Frank Lomani added points with a penalty. Georgia gave it their all and both teams were absolutely spent at the final whistle, as we nearly saw a huge upset unfold in one of the best games of the round.
Scotland vs Romania 84-0
Scotland kept their quarter-final hopes alive with an emphatic 84-0 win over Romania in Pool B. Winger Darcy Graham scores four tries while flyhalf Ben Healy starred on his Rugby World Cup debut. Scotland must now look ahead to Ireland in a must-win match to stand a chance of progressing to the quarter finals. Coach Gregor Townsend was pleased with the momentum, while Romania said they aim to learn from their three games and improve their fitness and professionalism.
Australia vs Portugal 34-14
In Pool C action, Australia secured a crucial bonus-point victory over valiant underdogs Portugal. Despite a challenging start, Australia managed to regain momentum, scoring three tries in seven minutes. Portugal, inspired by their vocal fans, fought back with determination but fell short. Australia’s quarter-final hopes depend on Portugal beating Fiji in their next match without conceding a losing bonus point. Head coach Eddie Jones remains optimistic about their chances and commended his team’s resilience, while Portugal’s captain, Tomas Appleton, praised their fans’ unwavering support despite the loss.
South Africa vs Tonga 49-18
South Africa were made to fight hard for their seven try win over Tonga in their final Pool B match at the Rugby World Cup 2023. In a bruising contest, Tonga stood up to the defending champions and led by big Ben Tameifuna, responded with three tries of their own. South Africa currently leads Pool B, pending the outcome of the Ireland vs. Scotland match to determine their quarter-final fate. Coach Jacques Nienaber acknowledged the waiting game, while Tonga’s captain, Tameifuna, praised his team’s effort.
Attack 
138
Passes
130
117
Ball Carries
117
310m
Post Contact Metres
252m
5
Line Breaks
6
ALL THE POOLS AS IT STANDS AFTER ROUND 4
Rugby World Cup
Pool A
P
W
L
D
PF
PA
PD
BP T
BP-7
BP
Total
1
France
3
3
0
0
13
2
New Zealand
3
2
1
0
10
3
Italy
3
2
1
0
10
4
Uruguay
3
1
2
0
5
5
Namibia
4
0
4
0
0
Pool B
P
W
L
D
PF
PA
PD
BP T
BP-7
BP
Total
1
South Africa
4
3
1
0
15
2
Ireland
3
3
0
0
14
3
Scotland
3
2
1
0
10
4
Tonga
3
0
3
0
0
5
Romania
3
0
3
0
0
Pool C
P
W
L
D
PF
PA
PD
BP T
BP-7
BP
Total
1
Wales
3
3
0
0
14
2
Australia
4
2
2
0
11
3
Fiji
3
2
1
0
10
4
Georgia
3
0
2
1
3
5
Portugal
3
0
2
1
2
Pool D
P
W
L
D
PF
PA
PD
BP T
BP-7
BP
Total
1
England
3
3
0
0
14
2
Argentina
3
2
1
0
9
3
Japan
3
2
1
0
9
4
Samoa
3
1
2
0
6
5
Chile
4
0
4
0
0
Comments on RugbyPass
“Cortez Ratima is light years ahead of anyone on current form, while TJ Perenara has also skyrocketed into contention following the unfortunate injury to the talented Cam Roigard.” At last some sanity. Hitherto so many pundits have been wittering on about Finlay Christie to the point one wondered if they were observing a FC in a parallel universe where the FC they saw wasnt just the mediocre Shayne Philpott project of Fosters hapless AB reign in the real world. Ratima, Perenara and Fakatava are the ONLY logical 9s for Razor now Roigard is crocked.
2 Go to commentsThis game was just as painful as the Hurricanes game. It was real fork-in-the-eye stuff.
2 Go to commentsNow if they could just fire the Crusaders ground PA guy who likes to play his dance music and just loves the sound of his own voice the entire game, even when play is going on. And I thought their brass band thing of a few years ago was bad.
5 Go to commentsUnfortunately when you lose by far the two form players this season in Roigard and Aumua, you're left replacing two game changing Tanks with a couple of pea-shooters. Which is also about the speed of TJs pass.
2 Go to commentsBit rich coming from the guy with zero loyalty to anyone or any team, including happily taking a players place in a league world cup squad because well, SBW wanted to play in it and thus an already named player got told he was no longer going. And airing stuff like this, which may or may not be true, doesn't exactly say you're a stand up guy either SBW. Just looking to keep his name in lights as usual.
37 Go to commentsTamati Tua. …the Taniwha NPC midfielder. Ollie Sapsford, Hawkes Bay NPC midfielder…doing well
2 Go to commentsFiji deserve to be in the rugby championship, fans love seeing the Fijian national team play, the Fijian Drua is a wonderful idea but the players can still be stolen to play for NZ and AUS…
1 Go to commentsThe first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to commentsWhy cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
5 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
33 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
5 Go to comments