How to watch the Wallabies at the 2023 Rugby World Cup

Eddie Jones’ Wallabies are under huge pressure as the 2023 Rugby World Cup prepares to kick-off in France.

South Africa is the defending champion, while Australian coach Eddie Jones (top right) and All Blacks captain Sam Cane (bottom right) have their eyes on the prize. Photos: Getty Images/AFP

You would be forgiven if the upcoming instalment of the Rugby World Cup is catching you a little by surprise in Australia.

A reflection of the fall of grace of the 15-man code in this country, underlined by the slumping fortunes of the once-mighty Wallabies, the build-up to the 2023 World Cup has been more of a whimper than a bang.

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Still, it will no doubt prove another colourful spectacle packed with highlights and skill as the best rugby players in the world converge on France.

Here is your complete guide to watching the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

South Africa is the defending champion, while Australian coach Eddie Jones (top right) and All Blacks captain Sam Cane (bottom right) have their eyes on the prize. Photos: Getty Images/AFP

When is the 2023 Rugby World Cup?

This year’s edition of the quadrennial event is being held in nine venues across France. A full seven-week festival of rugby, it crosses Australia’s switch to daylight saving time on 1 October.

Commencing on Friday, 8 September (AEST), it runs right through to the final on Sunday, 29 October (AEDT).

It is the second time France has hosted the tournament on its own, following the 2007 edition won by South Africa.

France also co-hosted the second World Cup back in 1991 alongside England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

How to watch the 2023 Rugby World Cup

Stan Sport and Channel 9 have the rights to this year’s event. If you have a subscription to Stan Sport, you can watch every match of the tournament live and on-demand.

For those only looking for free-to-air options, the 9 Network will show all of the Wallabies matches and the final on Nine and 9Now.

Wallabies coach Eddie Jones has had a disastrous lead-up to this year’s World Cup. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

Can I stream the 2023 RWC?

If you have a Stan Sport subscription, which requires signing up to Stan first and then adding the sports package, you can watch all games however you please. The only other streaming option is 9Now for Wallabies matches and the decider on 28 October.

Who is Australia playing at the Rugby World Cup?

The Wallabies are in Pool C alongside Wales, Fiji, Georgia and Portugal. Their first match is against Georgia in the early hours of Sunday, 10 September AEST.

With the top two teams progressing from each group to the quarter-finals, clashes against the Welsh and an in-form Fijian team will be Australia’s hardest and most important tests of the first round.

Warm-up matches all done and dusted.

Up next = Rugby World Cup 2023 🏆🇿🇦#StrongerTogether#Springbokspic.twitter.com/nmU6i2fd4P

— Springboks (@Springboks) August 30, 2023

There are five groups all up, with the group winners taking on a group runner-up in the quarter-finals.

Winners then progress to the semi-finals, before a third-place playoff and the final on 27 and 28 October respectively.

Hosts France, perennial contenders New Zealand and defending champions South Africa are among the favourites to lift the Webb Ellis Cup this year.

What time are Wallabies matches at the World Cup?

10/9/23: Australia vs Georgia, Stade de France, Saint-Denis, 2am

17/9/23: Australia vs Fiji, Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, Saint-Etienne, 1.45am

25/9/23: Australia vs Wales, OL Stadium, Lyon, 5am

2/10/23: Australia vs Portugal, Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, Saint-Etienne, 2.45am

Rugby World Cup - Australian time zones

Australia’s opening match against Georgia will kick-off at 2am AEST. These are the kick-off time zones for that fixture across the country:

12am: Perth

1.30am: Adelaide, Darwin

2am: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra, Hobart

(L-R) Quade Cooper and Michael Hooper were controversial omissions from the Wallabies World Cup squad.

Who is in Australia’s Rugby World Cup squad?

Former captain Michael Hooper and veteran playmaker Quade Cooper were shock omissions when Eddie Jones named his 33-man World Cup squad in August.

Here’s the full squad:

FORWARDS

Hookers: Dave Porecki, Jordan Uelese, Matt Faessler

Props: Angus Bell, James Slipper, Blake Schoupp, Taniela Tupou, Pone Fa’amausili, Zane Nonggorr

Locks: Richie Arnold, Nick Frost, Will Skelton, Matt Philip

Back-row: Tom Hooper, Rob Leota, Fraser McReight, Rob Valetini, Langi Gleeson

BACKS

Halfbacks: Tate McDermott, Nic White, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa

Fly-halves: Carter Gordon

Centres: Samu Kerevi, Jordan Petaia, Izaia Perese, Lalakai Foketi,

Outside backs: Mark Nawaqanitawase, Suliasi Vunivalu, Marika Koroibete, Andrew Kellaway, Max Jorgensen

Utility: Ben Donaldson, Josh Kemeny

Ireland, led by head coach Andy Farrell (left) and fly-half Jonathan Sexton, are among the favourites to win a first Rugby World Cup. (Photo by GUILLAUME SOUVANT / AFP)

Who will win the 2023 Rugby World Cup?

Australia.

OK, sorry, just kidding. Even the most ardent, one-eyed, biased, desperate Wallabies supporter would have to concede it will take some miracle for them to add a third trophy to the collection and first since way back in 1999.

Since Eddie Jones took over the helm for a second time in July, his record is five matches coached, five defeats.

We suspect that will soon change at the World Cup, but not enough to win the whole thing. Escaping the group will be hard enough.

France has been in ominous form of late and has a distinct home advantage, so we’re leaning towards Les Bleus, although a French rugby racism scandal ahead of the tournament isn’t what they needed.

Ireland is also a decent chance to finally win the tournament for the first time.