RUGBY WORLD CUP FRANCE 2023

5th September 2023

EVERY WALLABIES GAME FOR FREE IN RUGBY WORLD CUP ON CHANNEL 9HD 
WALLABIES GAMES AND FINALS LIVE & FREE ON CHANNEL 9HD FROM SUNDAY MORNING, SEPTEMBER 10

The Wallabies commence their Rugby World Cup campaign in France on Sunday and all their games will be shown live and free on Channel 9HD and 9Now. 

Under coach Eddie Jones, a new-generation Wallabies side captained by Will Skelton will be out to silence the doubters in their quest to bring glory back to the green and gold on the international stage.

They face a stiff field featuring the titans of world rugby, South Africa and New Zealand, tournament favourites and hosts France, alongside fellow northern hemisphere threats Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales, plus the flamboyant style of Argentina and the unpredictable Fiji in a field of 20 countries all fighting to win the William Webb Ellis trophy.

Wide World of Sports’ rugby expert Drew Mitchell provided the lowdown on the competing nations ahead of the beginning of the Rugby World Cup this weekend.

Wallabies: Haven’t had the preparation fans wanted to see, but in Eddie Jones we trust! He has a proven track record at RWCs and he’s sure to spring a few surprises. They’re our national team and it’s time to get behind them.

New Zealand: Weird to say about the All Blacks, but they’re somewhat going under the radar. Strong build-up to the RWC aside from their record loss against South Africa. Is that the loss they needed? Time will tell. Expect them to go deep.

South Africa: They have the squad and play the type of game that wins World Cups. Set-piece dominance, kick their goals, have X-factor out wide. Can they go back to back? I think they can. Captain Siya Kolisi’s incredible early return from injury is a huge boost.

France: The host nation with plenty of expectations to win it. Can they harness the pressure? Losing fly-half Romain Ntamack is a huge blow, but having elite scrum-half Antoine Dupont is a massive advantage.

England: It hasn’t been a great build-up for England. Captain Owen Farrell and Billy Vunipola suspended to start the tournament isn’t ideal, along with pre-tournament injuries. Will history repeat and see England face the Wallabies at Marseille in the quarter-finals?

Ireland: Arguably the form team over the past two years. Johnny Sexton returning from suspension could be the boost they need.

Argentina: Do not write the Los Pumas off. Former Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has this team full of confidence and they are more than capable of going deep in the tournament.

Wales: Not much is going right for the Welsh. But they’re on the favourable side of the draw and may surprise.

Scotland: The Scots are in great form. Finn Russell is pulling the strings and has them playing a high attacking style. They’re in a tough pool but may cause an upset and progress into the knockouts.

The best of the rest: The Pacific nations are looking stronger than ever.

Fiji recently defeated England for the first time in history. X-factor across the park, and with the experience gained through the Fiji Drua in Super Rugby, mixed with their European contingent, Fiji will be a problem. Joshua Tuisova is granite, a winger who breaks tackles for fun. 

Samoa and Tonga are also bolstered with players returning to their cultural heritage. Players who have previously represented other Tier 1 nations are now suiting up for Samoa and Tonga and both squads look formidable.

Tonga’s Charles Piatau will be dangerous in the back field for the men in red, and will definitely feature in highlight reels for RWC 2023.

Samoa’s UJ Seuteni represented Australia in under 20s, has been playing in France for over five years, and has developed into a world-class centre. He recently won the European championship with La Rochelle.

RUGBY WORLD CUP 2023 BROADCAST SCHEDULE
WALLABIES RWC23 LIVE AND FREE ON CHANNEL 9HD AND 9NOW



RUGBY WORLD CUP FRANCE 2023
LIVE AND FREE ON THE 9 NETWORK AND 9NOW 
FROM SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 10