Rugby World Cup 2023 Week Four Review – Scotland Set Up Key Clash With Ireland

If the third week of Rugby World Cup action saw some massive games, the fourth week saw minnows pitched against the big guns in a number of games.

Predictably, there weren’t any shocks and indeed a number of teams suffered a comprehensive thrashing at the hands of more experienced opposition.

New Zealand scored the most points, rattling in 96 against Italy to put themselves second in Pool A and leaving the Italians needing to beat France in their final game to stand any chance of making it into the knockout phase.

Scotland racked up 84 unanswered points against Romania who played most of the first half with 14 men due to a number of players being sin-binned for a variety of offenses. The win means Scotland must beat Ireland in their final group game to stand any chance of progressing into the knockout phase.

Australia defeated Portugal as expected but Fiji’s narrow win over Georgia means that the Aussies are now reliant on Fiji losing their final game against Portugal and even then, if they manage to score a bonus point, that would likely be enough for them to go through.

In Pool D wins for Argentina and Japan sets up a winner takes all clash between the two on the final week as England can secure the group with a win over Samoa.

You can bet on all those matches at bet365 Sport. Odds shown were correct but may change in the time since publication.

I did predict all the winners correctly in last week’s predictions, which isn’t too shabby!

Rugby World Cup – Week 4 Results

• Uruguay 36-26 Namibia

Namibia stormed into a 14-0 lead early in this game and then added two more penalties before the half to lead Uruguay 20-12 at the break. However, the Uruguayans bounced back with three second half tries, all of which were converted and a penalty to register a 36-26 victory over the Africans in front of almost 50,000 in Lyon.

• Japan 28-22 Samoa

This Pool D clash was always likely to be the closely contested game in this set of games and so it proved, but it was Japan who upset the odds by defeating Samoa 28-22. In truth, the Japanese held control of this game for over an hour as they scored three tries, two converted and two penalties to lead comfortably 25-8. Samoa did fight back scoring two tries late on, but a penalty from Matsuda five minutes from time kept the Japanese in front.

• New Zealand 96-17 Italy

Talk of a huge upset was whispered before this game. New Zealand put those thoughts to bed with a dominant performance in this thrashing of Italy. They ran in 14 tries, converting 13 of them to leave the Italians pulverised. It was a clear statement of intent from the All Blacks after their opening night loss to France and it puts them in second spot in Pool A behind the French and ahead of Italy.

• Argentina 59-5 Chile

Argentina’s big win over South American rivals Chile moved them into second place in Pool D behind England, who have already qualified, but ahead of Japan. The Argentineans will face the Japanese in a winner-takes-all clash on the final week of action in the Group Stage with the winner guaranteed a place in the knockout phase, likely taking on Wales.

• Fiji 17-12 Georgia

Fiji didn’t want to ruin their win over Australia by failing to back it up with wins over the two group minnows and they completed the first stage of that here with a nervy 17-12 win over a plucky Georgia. It wasn’t a fluent performance by Fiji, who played much better against Wales and Australia, but they got the job done, leaving them one win away from the quarterfinals and knockout out Australia.

• Scotland 84-0 Romania

Scotland needed a bonus point win and got it against a Romania side that contributed greatly to the size of the defeat with some clueless rugby that saw three men sin-binned in the first half. The Scots were impressive in victory though and it gives them a chance of progressing into the quarterfinals, if they can beat Ireland in Paris later this week.

• Australia 34-14 Portugal

Eddie Jones beleaguered Wallabies earned a win over Portugal, but it was hardly an inspiring performance from a team that are now set to be eliminated from the tournament at the group stages for the very first time. The damage was done in the losses to Fiji and Wales, which leaves Australian rugby wondering what the future holds for the team and the manager.

• South Africa 49-18 Tonga

South Africa moved to the top of Pool B with a big win over Tonga, but they may only be there temporarily depending on the outcome of the Ireland v Scotland game this weekend. The Springboks far outclassed their Tongan opponents and it was something of a surprise that Tonga ran in 18 points against them.

Current Group Standings (after Week 4)

Pool A
Pos	Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts	Bonus
1	France	3	3	0	0	150	25	13	1
2	New Zealand	3	2	0	1	180	47	10	2
3	Italy	3	2	0	1	107	121	10	2
4	Uruguay	3	1	0	2	65	91	5	1
5	Namibia	4	0	0	4	37	255	0	0

Pool B
Pos	Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts	Bonus
1	South Africa	4	3	0	1	151	34	15	3
2	Ireland	3	3	0	0	154	32	14	2
3	Scotland	3	2	0	1	132	35	10	2
4	Tonga	3	0	0	3	51	153	0	0
5	Romania	3	0	0	3	8	242	0	0

Pool C
Pos	Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts	Bonus
1	Wales	3	3	0	0	100	40	14	2
2	Australia	4	2	0	2	90	91	11	3
3	Fiji	3	2	0	1	65	59	10	2
4	Georgia	3	0	1	2	45	70	3	1
5	Portugal	3	0	1	2	40	80	2	0

Pool D
Pos	Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts	Bonus
1	England	3	3	0	0	132	22	14	2
2	Argentina	3	2	0	1	88	42	9	1
3	Japan	3	2	0	1	82	68	9	1
4	Samoa	3	1	0	2	75	57	6	2
5	Chile	4	0	0	4	27	215	0	0

Rugby World Cup 2023 – Week 4 Fixtures

5^th October

• New Zealand v Uruguay (Lyon) – 7.00pm

Tip – New Zealand must win to be assured of a place in the quarterfinals and it would be a huge surprise if they didn’t achieve that goal very comfortably. I’d expect a win by at least 40 points for the All Blacks in this one which is why they are the 1/1000 price with bet365. You won’t get rich with this bet, but it is pretty much a nailed on certainty to come in.

6^th October

• France v Italy (Lyon) – 7.00pm

Tip – A quick look at Italy’s record against France makes worrying reading for Italian fans, in 47 matches, France have won 44 and Italy’s last win over the French came back in February 2013. Italy battled hard in the Six Nations back in February, losing 24-29, but that was in Rome. In Paris their record is even worse with their sole win in France coming back in 1997. France are 1/100 to win this and that is about right on the money. Take France for a big win here to top Pool A.

7^th October

• Wales v Georgia (Nantes) – 3.00pm

Tip – Wales have already qualified for the quarter finals so this is a chance for them to rest some key players ahead of that game. Georgia though are not a bad side as they showed against Fiji but you would think even with some players rested Wales would take the win. Back the Welsh at 1/20 to claim the win here.

• England v Samoa (Lille) – 5.45pm

Tip – England have defied some terrible pre-world cup form to play pretty well in the tournament so far. A good win with 14-men against Argentina set up the team nicely and wins over Japan and Chile followed. Samoa will be big and strong but England, even if they elect to rest some key players ahead of the quarterfinals, should be far too strong here. Take England to win at 1/18.

• Ireland v Scotland (Paris) – 7.00pm

Tip – This is the game that will have the two gallic cousins on their feet. A win for Scotland by 21 points would actually qualify Scotland and Ireland. So can you imagine what would happen if the Irish trail late in the game? There are so many permutations here it is hard to figure out. However, one thing sticks fresh in my mind. Ireland are the best team in the world and that’s why I am backing them to win this one at 1/6 with bet365.

The near impossible result that is required in the Ireland v Scotland game, that would see South Africa knocked out. pic.twitter.com/IsJ9rPMa6g

— Deadname Stan (@JosephAnthonyj) October 3, 2023

8^th October

• Japan v Argentina (Nantes) – 1.00pm

Tip – The big game of the weekend sees Argentina take on Japan in what is a decider to see who finishes behind England in Pool D. Argentina are the bookmakers favourites, but Japan have a track record of upsets, such as when they beat South Africa in 2015. The Japanese do have a chance, but I think Argentina will land the win so back them at 1/8.

• Tonga v Romania (Lille) – 3.00pm

Tip – Romania have been the weakest team in this World Cup and they have suffered with a lack of discipline at times, which has led to them being beaten by some heavy scorelines. Tonga are strong and powerful at any time of the tournament and I’d expect them to claim the win here. Back Tonga at 1/250.

• Fiji v Portugal (Toulouse) – 7.00pm

Tip – A win for Fiji would put them into the quarterfinals at the expense of Australia, as will them securing any form of bonus point on head to head record over the Aussies. Portugal have not disgraced themselves at all in this tournament and they’ll give Fiji a test, but you would expect the Pacific islanders to claim the win here. Take Fiji to win at 1/50.