RWC 2023: Quarter Final Fixtures Finalised As Australia Exits in Group Stages

• Fiji grabbed the final place in the quarter-finals of the Rugby World Cup 2023 in France
• Australia's elimination in the group stage came as the biggest surprise of the tournament
• Ireland and New Zealand will face off in the pick of the quarter-finals of the World Cup

The business stage of the Rugby World Cup will get underway soon, as the group stages have officially wrapped up.

The tournament now enters the knockout phases, with four big quarter-finals ready to take centre stage.

The group stage provided some thrilling action, big surprises and massive scores, with Australia’s elimination serving as the biggest shock.

The Wallabies failed to get out of Pool C, finishing in third place behind Wales and Fiji. With Eddie Jones’ men out of the running, only three teams who previously won the tournament are still in contention for another trophy.

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With the group stages officially done and dusted, Sports Brief looks at the upcoming quarter-final fixtures.

Wales vs Argentina

In the first knockout game, the Dragons will take on Argentina.

Wales finished at the top of Pool C, easily winning all their games. They take on a Pumas side that started the tournament with a defeat at the hands of the English.

Argentina bounced back with wins against Chile and Samoa and then took on Japan in a classic for the runner-up spot in Pool D.

Ireland vs New Zealand

The number-one ranked side in the world continued their dominance as they topped Pool B. The Irish beat everyone in their path, including the defending champions, to set up a clash with New Zealand.

France beat the All Blacks in the tournament's opening game, but the defeat sparked something in them. The three-time champions beat Namibia 71-3, Italy 96-17, and Uruguay 73-0.

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Ireland won’t be as easy a task, and the game promises to be the highlight game of the quarters.

England vs Fiji

At the start of the tournament, many expected this to either be Wales vs England or Australia vs England.

The Welsh topped their group, avoiding a clash against the former champions, while the Wallabies failed to qualify. England were unbeaten in the group stages and should be too strong for the Fijians.

Fiji had to fight for their place in the final eight and were given a scare by Portugal in their final group game. Os Lobos won 24-23, but the Flying Fijians grabbed a losing bonus point.

The Fijians finished level on points with the Wallabies but pipped the Aussies to the runner-up spot due to the head-to-head rule.

France vs South Africa

The host nation went unbeaten in Pool A, and their reward is a clash against the defending champions.

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South Africa are looking to win their fourth World Cup and defend their title in the process but will have to face a French side with tons of home support.

As noted by RugbyPass, the French side could also be boosted by the return of captain, Antoine Dupont.

Official rankings ahead of Rugby World Cup

The Springboks are looking to defend their Rugby World Cup title in France but will face stiff competition.

South Africa head into the tournament as one of the favourites but are not the number-one ranked side.

Sports Brief looked at the top five ranked teams before France 2023 and their rankings at the 2019 edition.