The 2023 Rugby World Cup kicks off on Saturday (AEST) with a blockbuster opening match between hosts France and three-time champions New Zealand in Paris.
The tournament promises to be the most competitive in history and Australia opens its campaign against Georgia on Sunday (AEST).
Nine and Stan Sport will bring you exclusive and comprehensive coverage and an all-star cast have provided their fearless predictions as well as all the key players and games to watch.
Watch all the action from Rugby World Cup 2023 on the home of rugby, Stan Sport. Every match ad free, live and on demand in 4K UHD from September 9
MICHAEL HOOPER
RWC record: 9 games, 2015 (finalist), 2019 (quarter-finalist, captain)
Favourite RWC moment/memory: I went to the semi-final of the 2003 World Cup, Australia v New Zealand. I was in the corner where Stirling Mortlock took the intercept against the All Blacks and goes 80m on them. How exciting that was as a 12-year-old boy. Epic.
Pool game that can’t be missed: The opener (September 10, coverage from 4am AEST) is hard to go past. The home nation, France, playing New Zealand, that’s really exciting and should get the ball rolling for a huge World Cup.
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RWC dark horse: Fiji could be strong. They’ve got the ability to do some damage.
Why can the Wallabies win? No baggage, young, hungry, fit and a really good draw. We can create some huge momentum and I’ve been in the squad so I’ve seen the type of talent that’s in that team. We’re capable of going really deep in the competition.
Why can the All Blacks win? They’re always there or thereabouts. They’ve got amazing depth and are going to be hard to beat.
Final prediction: Australia v South Africa
RWC winner: Australia v South Africa
Player of the tournament? Marika Koroibete (Australia)
Wallabies key player? Samu Kerevi
ANDREW MEHRTENS
RWC record: 10 games, 1995 (finalist), 1999 (semi-finalist)
Favourite RWC moment/memory: Watching local hero Craig Green score four tries at Lancaster Park against Fiji in 1987. We skipped school for the afternoon to go and see our heroes in the first ever World Cup. And the first half hour against England in the 1995 semi-final. Jonah was unstoppable but when No.8 Zinzan Brooke dropped a goal from 50m on the angle I was genuinely pinching myself.
Pool game that can’t be missed: Can’t really go past the opening match but I think the matches between South Africa, Scotland and Ireland will be great viewing as three into two doesn’t go.
RWC dark horse: England have been rubbish in the build-up but they still have the players who on their day can beat anybody. You discount them at your peril.
Why can the Wallabies win? If they stay injury free then they still have genuine world class talent, particularly Valetini, Petaia, Koroibete and the entire midfield.
Why can the All Blacks win? Because they’re supposed to win every tournament right?! Their tempo and skill level is their biggest trump card and the depth of the squad is very good too.
Final prediction: Ireland v New Zealand
RWC winner: Ireland have belief, confidence and a simple and effective game plan that gets the best out of their resources. And the habit of winning.
Player of the tournament? Sam Whitelock (New Zealand)
Wallabies key player? Carter Gordon. Unfortunately a huge amount of responsibility rests on his shoulders, both as play manager and goal kicker.
MAT ROGERS
RWC record: 7 games, 2003 (finalist)
Favourite RWC moment/memory: David Campese’s try against Ireland in 1991 was a magic moment. Feeling like we’re done and then going on to win our first World Cup. I was at boarding school, jumping up and down with a heap of mates, just blown away with what we’ve seen. And of course beating the All Blacks as a player in the 2003 semi-final at home was special.
Pool game that can’t be missed: The opening game between the All Blacks and France (September 10, coverage from 4am AEST) is going to be special. There’s something about a home World Cup that just brings the best out in you and it certainly did for us in 2003. France will be up for it and II think it’ll be an amazing game of rugby.
RWC dark horse: Argentina worry me a bit. A team that plays with a lot of passion and they could be a smokey to go deep.
Why can the Wallabies win? They’ve got a lot of talent and can beat anyone on their day if they show up with the right attitude. Eddie, without a doubt, will be breathing that belief into him. We went into a World Cup in 2003 off the back of the most horrendous form and what he did for us in terms of strategy and planning and belief – I feel he can do the same with this squad.
Why can the All Blacks win? Because they’re the All Blacks and they believe that they should win everything. It’s a psyche that I’ve lived with through the rugby league world, playing for the Kangaroos, you just don’t get beat. it’s something that’s inherent within the squad. They’ll go over there believing they’re the best team in the world and they’re going to win the World Cup. It’s something that a lot of other sporting sides and codes can learn from.
Final prediction: France v Australia
RWC winner: Australia. Just like the 2003 World Cup, the home side getting beaten in a tight match on their home field.
Player of the tournament? Beauden Barrett (New Zealand)
Wallabies key player? Will Skelton
ALLANA FERGUSON
Favourite RWC moment/memory: George Gregan’s flick pass to Owen Finegan to seal the 1999 win.
Pool game that can’t be missed: Australia v Wales (September 25, coverage from 4.30am AEST).
RWC dark horse: Scotland.
Why can the Wallabies win? Favourable draw, with powerhouses on the other side. And Samu Kerevi is a game changer.
Why can the All Blacks win? Good combination between talent and experience. Variety of styles.
Final prediction: Australia v France
RWC winner: Wallabies
Player of the tournament: Samu Kerevi (Australia)
Wallabies key player: Carter Gordon
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MICHAEL ATKINSON
Favourite RWC moment/memory: Stephen Larkham’s drop goal in the 1999 semi-final and Rupeni Caucaunibuca’s try vs France in 2003.
Pool game that can’t be missed: The opener – France v New Zealand (September 10, coverage from 4am AEST).
RWC dark horse: Wallabies
Why can the Wallabies win? Eddie Jones
Why can the All Blacks win? They’ve done it three times before and everyone is writing them off.
Final prediction: Australia v France
RWC winner: Wallabies
Player of the tournament: Antoine Dupont (France)
Wallabies key player: Angus Bell
JUSTIN HARRISON
RWC record: 5 games, 2003 (finalist)
Favourite RWC moment/memory: Watching the 1999 final with Nathan Sharpe at Millenium Stadium with green and gold face paint on, fully kitted in Wallabies supporters gear, telling each other we’d both play in the next final.
Pool game that can’t be missed: Scotland v South Africa (September 11, coverage from 1.30am AEST).
RWC dark horse: Scotland
Why can the Wallabies win? They’re on the ideal side of the draw which gives them a ramp to build momentum as they advance through the tournament. Squad has the capacity to learn. Eddie gets the best out of every player.
Why can the All Blacks win? Depth of squad.
Final prediction: South Africa v New Zealand
RWC winner: South Africa
Player of the tournament: Siya Kolisi (South Africa)
Wallabies key player: Samu Kerevi
JAMES HORWILL
RWC record: 6 games, 2011 (semi-finalist, captain)
Favourite RWC moment/memory: Stephen Larkham’s drop goal in 1999 and beating South Africa in New Zealand in 2011.
Pool game that can’t be missed: South Africa v Ireland (September 24, coverage from 4.45am AEST).
RWC dark horse: Ireland, in great form but never made it past the quarter-final.
Why can the Wallabies win? If all our big name players are fit and in form, we have the team to win it.
Why can the All Blacks win? Unrivalled squad depth.
Final prediction: New Zealand v France
RWC winner: France
Player of the tournament: James Slipper (Australia)
Wallabies key player: James Slipper
MORGAN TURINUI
RWC record: 1 game, 2003 (finalist), 2007 (quarter-finalist)
Favourite RWC moment/memory: David Campese in the 1991 semi-final v New Zealand, turning John Kirwan inside and out to score in the corner.
Pool game that can’t be missed: Ireland v Scotland (October 8, coverage from 5.45am AEDT).
RWC dark horse: Scotland
Why can the Wallabies win? Good draw. Good coach. Flying under the radar.
Why can the All Blacks win? The best at playing all styles, in any conditions.
Final prediction: Australia v France
RWC winner: France
Player of the tournament: Aaron Smith (New Zealand)
Wallabies key player: Samu Kerevi
NICK MCARDLE
Pool game that can’t be missed: Uruguay v Namibia (September 28, coverage from 1.30am AEST). We’re seeing the gap continue to close between the best and worst. Produces the best storylines, amateurs happy to be there.
RWC dark horse: Scotland
Why can the Wallabies win? There is a crop of players who have had a taste of 2-3 years in the set up who are maturing into world class players at the right time. The bounce associated with a new coaching voice and set-up can do wonders, as we saw with Michael Cheika in 2015.
Why can the All Blacks win? The belief that comes from having won it three times. To win the RWC, you need to have a number of players that would comfortably be selected in a world’s best XV, which they have.
Final prediction: New Zealand v France
RWC winner: France
Player of the tournament? Caelan Doris (Ireland)
Wallabies key player? Taniela Tupou
SONNY BILL WILLIAMS
RWC record: 19 games, 2011 (champion), 2015 (champion), 2019 (semi-finalist)
Favourite RWC moment/memory: The 2015 final v Wallabies and Ma’a Nonu’s try. And the hurt and tears from losing the 1995 final in South Africa watching as a 10-year-old.
Pool game that can’t be missed: France v New Zealand opener (September 10, coverage from 4am AEST).
RWC dark horse: Argentina
Why can the Wallabies win? On their day, they can beat anyone. The hardship they have been through with Dave Rennie has created depth and resilience in the squad. The forwards need to step up to be the best in their positions and unlock their strengths on the outside.
Why can the All Blacks win? Because they’re the All Blacks.
Final prediction: New Zealand v France
RWC winner: New Zealand
Player of the tournament: Antoine Dupont (France)
Wallabies key player: Marika Koroibete
SEAN MALONEY
Favourite RWC moment/memory: Uruguay beating Fiji in 2019, in the stadium that had been destroyed by the 2011 tsunami. The locals formed a 500m tunnel for all the visiting fans to thank them for coming on the way out of the ground.
Pool game that can’t be missed: Australia v Fiji (September 18, coverage from 1.15am AEST).
RWC dark horse: Italy
Why can the Wallabies win? The Wallabies have an uncanny ability to time their run at a World Cup. Timing is everything and I reckon they’ll be minute perfect in France.
Why can the All Blacks win? They’ve got such a deep squad. Almost every AB picked would start for almost every other team at the tournament
Final prediction: Australia v France
RWC winner: Australia
Player of the tournament: Marika Koroibete (Australia)
Wallabies key player: Rob Valetini
STEPHEN HOILES
RWC record: 5 games, 2007 (quarter-finalist)
Favourite RWC moment/memory: Owen Finegan’s try at the death of the 1999 final. Playing Wales in Cardiff in 2007.
Pool game that can’t be missed: Australia v Fiji (September 18, coverage from 1.15am AEST).
RWC dark horse: Argentina
Why can the Wallabies win? Experienced coach who knows how to time the run into the tournament with a playing group in the honeymoon period eager to work under him.
Why can the All Blacks win? Less expectation, with a proven track record. Had a lull in 2022, on the up this year.
Final prediction: Ireland v France
RWC winner: Ireland
Player of the tournament? Antoine Dupont (France)
Wallabies key player? Carter Gordon
TIM HORAN
RWC record: 14 games, 1991 (champion) 1995 (quarter-finalist), 1999 (champion)
Favourite RWC moment/memory: The 1999 semi-finals – the best weekend of World Cup rugby at Twickenham ever. The Wallabies beat the Boks on Saturday and the French beat the All Blacks on the Sunday. Have to mention Siya Kolisi and Jonah Lomu’s four tries against England – they took rugby to a global audience.
Pool game that can’t be missed: Ireland v Scotland (October 8, coverage from 5.45am AEDT).
RWC dark horse: Scotland
Why can the Wallabies win? Because a fit Samu Kerevi can be unstoppable. Bigger bodies in the back row compared to Japan four years ago
Why can the All Blacks win? They should be competition favourites. Have the Barrett brothers and the average squad age is late 20s – perfect for RWC.
Final prediction: New Zealand v Ireland
RWC winner: New Zealand
Player of the tournament: Richie Mo’unga (New Zealand)
Wallabies key player: Rob Valetini
SERA NAIQAMA
Favourite RWC moment/memory: Japan’s historic defeat of South Africa at the 2015 RWC. A try by Karne Hesketh in the final minute etched his name into the history books forever. The post-match scenes of Japanese fans wiping tears from their face and embracing each other shows just how much it meant to the nation.
Pool game that can’t be missed: New Zealand v France (September 10, coverage from 4am AEST). The opener is set to be an absolute cracker. It’s the launchpad of the tournament and who better than the All Blacks against the in-form hosts. The All Blacks have always been dubbed as favourites and it’s not misplaced considering their rich history of winning. But over the last two cycles France haven’t made it past the quarter-finals and will have their minds set on proving a point early in the tournament. Two Goliaths locked in the coliseum, ready to battle it out. You don’t want to miss this.
RWC dark horse: My beloved Fiji. Dominated the Pacific Nations Cup, fell short against France but finished their warmup prep with a historic win over England. There’s a lot of confidence in that camp and on their day, no-one can live with the flair of their attack.
Why can the Wallabies win? Why couldn’t they? The majority have written the Wallabies off based on their losses this year but we tend to forget come World Cup the slate is wiped clean and it becomes an equal level playing field for all. A young squad. Seasoned campaigners out. Eddie Jones reappointed. One specialist fly-half and Will Skelton as captain. No-one could script these things but that could be their superpower. With pressure being placed on higher ranked teams to perform, it provides the Wallabies the opportunity to be underdogs.
Why can the All Blacks win? Despite their indifferent finish in 2022 and recent loss to the Springboks, they have dominated this Test season. The All Blacks know how to win and they’re no stranger to going all the way on the World Cup stage. The depth in their squad shows they got the goods to respond to the situation. The match against Australia in Dunedin was proof of that.
Final prediction: Australia v France
RWC winner: Australia
Player of the tournament? Marika Koroibete. A world class finisher but it’s his work off the ball and defence that make him stand out. I think we’ll see plenty more of the Fijian speedster throughout the World Cup.
Wallabies key player? Fraser McReight. The 24-year-old openside flanker has a real opportunity to make the jersey his own with Michael Hooper missing World Cup selection. His time is now.