2023 Rugby World Cup knockout stage
Second and final stage of the competition
The knockout stage of the 2023 Rugby World Cup is the second and final stage of the competition, following the pool stage. Played from 14 to 28 October, the knockout stage will end with the final, held at Stade de France in Saint-Denis.[1] The top two teams from each pool advanced to the knockout stage to compete in a single-elimination tournament. There will be 8 matches in the knockout stage, including a third-place play-off played between the two losing teams of the semi-finals.
Format
The knockout stage of the 2023 Rugby World Cup will be contested by the eight teams that qualified from the pool stage, the top two teams from each of the four pools. Matches in the knockout stage are played to a result; if the scores are tied at the end of 80 minutes, a 10-minute period of extra time is played; if scores remain level after extra time, an additional 10-minute "sudden death" period will be played, and the first team to score any points wins. If the score still remains tied, a kicking competition will ensue. All times listed are local in Central European Summer Time (UTC+2).
Qualified teams
Wales were the first side to secure qualification to the knockout stage after their record breaking victory over Australia in the pool stage.[2] England became the next side to qualify for the quarter-finals four days later after Japan's victory over Samoa in Pool D. This result also meant England were the first team to be guaranteed top seed.[3] New Zealand secured their place in the knockout stage after their pool match win over Uruguay.[4] Hosts France also confirmed their place the following day after their victory over Italy.[5] Ireland and South Africa both qualified from Pool B simultaneously following Ireland's victory over Scotland.[6] Argentina edged Japan to progression from Pool D following their victory over the Brave Blossoms in their final match.[7] In the last match of the pool stage, Fiji were narrowly defeated by Portugal in Pool C but still qualified for the knockout stage ahead of Australia based on their head-to-head record against the Wallabies who suffered elimination from the World Cup at the pool stage for the first time.[8]
| Pool | Winners | Runners-up |
|---|---|---|
| A |  France |  New Zealand |
| B |  Ireland |  South Africa |
| C |  Wales |  Fiji |
| D |  England |  Argentina |
Bracket
| Quarter-finals | Semi-finals | Final | ||||||||
| 14 October – Marseille | ||||||||||
| Wales | 17 | |||||||||
| 20 October – Saint-Denis | ||||||||||
| Argentina | 29 | |||||||||
| Argentina | 6 | |||||||||
| 14 October – Saint-Denis | ||||||||||
| New Zealand | 44 | |||||||||
| Ireland | 24 | |||||||||
| 28 October – Saint-Denis | ||||||||||
| New Zealand | 28 | |||||||||
| New Zealand | 11 | |||||||||
| 15 October – Marseille | ||||||||||
| South Africa | 12 | |||||||||
| England | 30 | |||||||||
| 21 October – Saint-Denis | ||||||||||
| Fiji | 24 | |||||||||
| England | 15 | |||||||||
| 15 October – Saint-Denis | ||||||||||
| South Africa | 16 | Bronze final | ||||||||
| France | 28 | |||||||||
| 27 October – Saint-Denis | ||||||||||
| South Africa | 29 | |||||||||
| Argentina | 23 | |||||||||
| England | 26 | |||||||||
Quarter-finals
Wales vs Argentina
| 14 October 2023 17:00 CEST (UTC+2) |
| Wales | 17–29 | Argentina |
| Try: Biggar 14' c T. Williams 57' c Con: Biggar (2/2) 16', 58' Pen: Biggar (1/2) 21' | Report | Try: Sclavi 68' c Sánchez 77' c Con: Boffelli (2/2) 69', 78' Pen: Boffelli (4/5) 39', 45', 44', 48' Sánchez (1/1) 80' |
| Stade Vélodrome, Marseille Attendance: 62,576 Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)[9] Karl Dickson (England)[a] |
          Wales |     Argentina |
|  |
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| Player of the Match: Assistant referees: |
Notes:
- Referee Jaco Peyper was forced to withdraw from the match in the 16th minute, after sustaining a calf injury. He was replaced by assistant referee Karl Dickson. Reserve official Jordan Way took Dickson's place as an assistant.[10]
Ireland vs New Zealand
| 14 October 2023 21:00 CEST (UTC+2) |
| Ireland | 24–28 | New Zealand |
| Try: Aki 27' c Gibson-Park 39' c Penalty try 64' Con: Sexton (2/2) 29', 40' Pen: Sexton (1/2) 22' | Report | Try: Fainga'anuku 19' c Savea 33' m Jordan 53' c Con: Mo'unga (1/2) 21' J. Barrett (1/1) 54' Pen: Mo'unga (1/1) 8' J. Barrett (2/3) 14', 69' |
| Stade de France, Saint-Denis Attendance: 78,845 Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)[9] |
    Ireland |  New Zealand |
|  |
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| Player of the Match: Assistant referees: |
England vs Fiji
| 15 October 2023 17:00 CEST (UTC+2) |
| England | 30–24 | Fiji |
| Try: Tuilagi 14' m Marchant 23' c Con: Farrell (1/2) 23' Pen: Farrell (5/6) 11', 34', 38', 54', 78' Drop: Farrell (1/1) 72' | Report | Try: Mata 28' c Ravai 64' c Botitu 68' c Con: Lomani (1/1) 29' Kuruvoli (2/2) 65', 70' Pen: Lomani (1/3) 20' |
| Stade Vélodrome, Marseille Attendance: 61,863 Referee: Mathieu Raynal (France)[9] |
 England |   Fiji |
|  |
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| Player of the Match: Assistant referees: |
France vs South Africa
| 15 October 2023 21:00 CEST (UTC+2) |
| France | 28–29 | South Africa |
| Try: Baille (2) 4' c, 31' c Mauvaka 22' m Con: Ramos (2/3) 5', 32' Pen: Ramos (3/4) 40+1', 54', 73' | Report | Try: Arendse 8' c De Allende 18' m Kolbe 27' c Etzebeth 67' c Con: Libbok (2/3) 10', 28' Pollard (1/1) 67' Pen: Pollard (1/1) 69' |
| Stade de France, Saint-Denis Attendance: 79,486 Referee: Ben O'Keeffe (New Zealand)[9] |
     France |     South Africa |
| Player of the Match: Assistant referees: |
Semi-finals
Argentina vs New Zealand
| 20 October 2023 21:00 CEST (UTC+2) |
| Argentina | 6–44 | New Zealand |
| Pen: Boffelli (2/2) 5', 35' | Report | Try: Jordan (3) 11' c, 62' m, 73' m J. Barrett 17' m Frizell (2) 40+2' m, 49' c Smith 42' c Con: Mo'unga (3/7) 12', 43', 50' Pen: Mo'unga (1/1) 38' |
| Stade de France, Saint-Denis Attendance: 77,653 Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)[15] |
Argentina | New Zealand |
|  |
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| Player of the Match: Assistant referees: |
Notes:
- With this victory, New Zealand advanced to a fifth World Cup final – a new record for final appearances at the tournament.[17]
- Facundo Isa (Argentina) earned his 50th test cap.[18]
- Will Jordan (New Zealand) equalled the World Cup record of 8 tries scored at a single tournament (shared with Bryan Habana, Jonah Lomu and Julian Savea).[19]
- After receiving a yellow card in the 66th minute, Scott Barrett did not return to the field, despite the sin bin period elapsing with 4 minutes still remaining on the clock. This meant that New Zealand finished the match with 14 players.[20]
England vs South Africa
| 21 October 2023 21:00 CEST (UTC+2) |
| England | 15–16 | South Africa |
| Pen: Farrell (4/4) 3', 10', 24', 39' Drop: Farrell (1/1) 53' | Report | Try: Snyman 69' c Con: Pollard (1/1) 70' Pen: Libbok (1/1) 21' Pollard (2/2) 35', 78' |
| Stade de France, Saint-Denis Attendance: 78,098 Referee: Ben O'Keeffe (New Zealand)[15] |
England | South Africa |
|  |
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| Player of the Match: Assistant referees: |
Notes:
- Owen Farrell became the second highest all-time points scorer in test rugby (including points scored for both England and the British & Irish Lions), surpassing Jonny Wilkinson (1,246) and moving behind top scorer Dan Carter (1,598).
Bronze final: Argentina vs England
| 27 October 2023 21:00 CEST (UTC+2) |
| Argentina | 23–26 | England |
| Try: Cubelli 36' c S. Carreras 42' c Con: Boffelli (2/2) 37', 43' Pen: Boffelli (2/2) 24', 50' Sánchez (1/2) 68' | Report | Try: Earl 8' c Dan 44' c Con: Farrell (2/2) 9', 45' Pen: Farrell (4/4) 3', 13', 30', 65' |
| Stade de France, Saint-Denis Attendance: 77,674 Referee: Nic Berry (Australia)[23] |
   Argentina | England |
|  |
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| Player of the Match: Assistant referees: |
Notes:
- England finished as bronze medallists for the first time in World Cup history.[25]
- Tom Curry (England) earned his 50th test cap.[26]
Final: New Zealand vs South Africa
| 28 October 2023 21:00 CEST (UTC+2) |
| New Zealand | 11–12 | South Africa |
| Try: B. Barrett 58' m Pen: Mo'unga (2/2) 17', 38' | Report | Pen: Pollard (4/4) 3', 13', 19', 34' |
| Stade de France, Saint-Denis Attendance: 80,065 Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)[27] |
New Zealand | South Africa |
|  |
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| Player of the Match: Assistant referees: |
Notes:
- South Africa became the first team to win a fourth World Cup title.[29]
- South Africa became the first team to win successive World Cup titles away from home.[29]
- South Africa became the second team (after New Zealand in 2015) to retain the World Cup.[30]
- This was the third time that the World Cup final winner earned their victory without scoring a try – a feat previously achieved by South Africa in 1995 and 2007.[31]
- Sam Cane (New Zealand) became the first player to receive a red card in a World Cup final.[32]
- The four cards issued in the match (one red and three yellows) set a new record for most cards issued in a World Cup final. There had been just one card issued across the previous nine finals – a yellow card against New Zealand's Ben Smith in 2015.[33]
- This was the first World Cup final in which both finalists had lost a match during the pool stages.[34]
- This was the first World Cup final in which all four match officials were appointed from the same union (England).[35]
- Brothers Beauden Barrett, Jordie Barrett and Scott Barrett all started for New Zealand – the first time that three siblings played in a World Cup final.[36]
Notes
- ^ a b Referee Jaco Peyper (South Africa) was forced to withdraw in the 16th minute of the quarter final between Wales and Argentina, after sustaining a calf injury. He was replaced by assistant referee Karl Dickson (England). Reserve official Jordan Way (Australia) took Dickson's place as an assistant.[10]
References
- ^ "Rugby World Cup Fixtures 2023". www.rugbyworld.com. Rugby World. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
- ^ Griffiths, Gareth (24 September 2023). "Warren Gatland's side hammer Wallabies to seal World Cup quarter-final spot". www.bbc.co.uk/sport. BBC Sport. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
- ^ Smith, Emma (28 September 2023). "Brave Blossoms' win puts England into Rugby World Cup quarter-finals". www.bbc.co.uk/sport. BBC Sport. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
- ^ Telfer, Alastair (5 October 2023). "All Blacks reach quarter-finals with 11-try win". www.bbc.co.uk/sport. BBC Sport. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
- ^ Smith, Emma (6 October 2023). "Hosts earn crushing win to reach World Cup quarter-finals". www.bbc.co.uk/sport. BBC Sport. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
- ^ English, Tom (7 October 2023). "Imperious Irish crush Scots to reach quarter-finals". www.bbc.co.uk/sport. BBC Sport. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
- ^ Smith, Emma (8 October 2023). "Pumas set up Wales quarter-final with thrilling win". www.bbc.co.uk/sport. BBC Sport. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
- ^ Cartwright, Phil (8 October 2023). "England to face Fiji in Rugby World Cup quarter-final". www.bbc.co.uk/sport. BBC Sport. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p "Emirates Match Official appointments confirmed for RWC". world.rugby. World Rugby. 10 October 2023. Retrieved 10 October 2023.
- ^ a b "Wales v Argentina referee forced off pitch as English official steps in". www.independent.co.uk/sport. The Independent. 14 October 2023. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
- ^ "WAL 17-29 ARG: Argentina edge past Wales to reach semi-finals". www.rugbyworldcup.com. Rugby World Cup. 14 October 2023. Retrieved 15 October 2023.
- ^ "IRE 24-28 NZL: New Zealand edge Ireland in classic to book Argentina semi-final". www.rugbyworldcup.com. Rugby World Cup. 14 October 2023. Retrieved 15 October 2023.
- ^ "ENG 30-24 FJI: England end Fiji dreams in Marseille". www.rugbyworldcup.com. Rugby World Cup. 15 October 2023. Retrieved 15 October 2023.
- ^ "FRA 28-29 RSA: South Africa beat France in seven-try thriller". www.rugbyworldcup.com. Rugby World Cup. 15 October 2023. Retrieved 15 October 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Gardner and O'Keeffe to referee Rugby World Cup 2023 semi-finals". www.rugbyworldcup.com. Rugby World Cup. 17 October 2023. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
- ^ "ARG 6-44 NZL: New Zealand beat Argentina to reach final". www.rugbyworldcup.com. Rugby World Cup. 20 October 2023. Retrieved 20 October 2023.
- ^ "Argentina 6-44 New Zealand: All Blacks cruise into record fifth final". www.bbc.co.uk/sport. BBC Sport. 20 October 2023. Retrieved 20 October 2023.
- ^ "Isa set for 50th Pumas cap in World Cup showdown with New Zealand". supersport.com. Super Sport. 18 September 2023. Retrieved 18 September 2023.
- ^ "Will Jordan makes Rugby World Cup history with semi-final hat-trick". www.independent.co.uk/sport. The Independent. 20 September 2023. Retrieved 20 September 2023.
- ^ "All Blacks 'alpha move' in the latter stages of World Cup win over Argentina". www.planetrugby.com. Planet Rugby. 21 October 2023. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
- ^ "ENG 15-16 RSA: South Africa edge England to book final v New Zealand". www.rugbyworldcup.com. Rugby World Cup. 21 October 2023. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
- ^ "Referee change confirmed for England and South Africa semi-final". www.rugbypass.com. 20 October 2023. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
- ^ a b c d "Rugby World Cup 2023 bronze final preview: Argentina v England". www.rugbyworldcup.com. Rugby World Cup. 23 October 2023. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
- ^ "ARG 23-26 ENG: England claim third place with hard-fought win". www.rugbyworldcup.com. Rugby World Cup. 27 October 2023. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
- ^ "Argentina 23-26 England: England overcome Pumas to win Rugby World Cup bronze-medal match". www.bbc.co.uk/sport. BBC Sport. 27 October 2023. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
- ^ "England make wholesale changes for Argentina as Tom Curry hits 50". www.planetrugby.com. Planet Rugby. 25 October 2023. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
- ^ a b c d "Wayne Barnes to referee Rugby World Cup 2023 final". www.rugbyworldcup.com. Rugby World Cup. 23 October 2023. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
- ^ "NZL 11-12 RSA: South Africa win tense final to claim fourth Rugby World Cup". www.rugbyworldcup.com. Rugby World Cup. 28 October 2023. Retrieved 28 October 2023.
- ^ a b "Rugby World Cup 2023: Why does victory mean more to South Africa?". BBC Sport. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
- ^ "South Africa beat New Zealand to win men's Rugby World Cup final". www.theguardian.com. The Guardian. 28 October 2023. Retrieved 28 October 2023.
- ^ "South Africa become kings of rugby with dramatic World Cup win over greatest rivals". independent.co.uk. The Independent. 29 October 2023. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
- ^ "Sam Cane becomes first player to be red carded in Rugby World Cup final". www.planetrugby.com. Planet Rugby. 28 October 2023. Retrieved 28 October 2023.
- ^ "Rugby World Cup 2023 final, South Africa beat New Zealand, yellow cards, history, news, reacton, Sam Cane red card". www.foxsports.com.au. Fox Sports Australia. 28 October 2023. Retrieved 28 October 2023.
- ^ "Springboks defending Rugby World Cup title against All Blacks in rare final showdown". www.apnews.com. AP. 26 October 2023. Retrieved 28 October 2023.
- ^ "Rugby World Cup final referee and match officials confirmed". www.planetrugby.com. Planet Rugby. 23 October 2023. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
- ^ "Rugby World Cup 2023 final: New Zealand v South Africa - the incredible Barrett brothers". www.bbc.co.uk/sport. BBC Sport. 26 October 2023. Retrieved 28 October 2023.
