Following some of the most amazing international rugby matches you are likely to see following the RWC 2023 quarterfinals in France, Tournament Director Michel Poussau and Chairman of France 2023 Jacques Rivoal provided the latest updates on the success of the tournament to date as we head into the Rugby World Cup 2023 semifinals week.
With the four teams England, New Zealand, South Africa and Argentina reaching the final four, the RWC Tournament Committee says it has no concerns over a dip of interest with the host nation and Ireland (as well as Wales and Fiji) heading home following their losses last weekend.
Poussau said, “France’s role as host is now more important than ever, as hosts and as fans. The stage is set for two compelling semi-finals. Three teams from the south a one from the north.”
How Engaged Were Rugby Fans – RWC 2023 Quarterfinals
Chairman of France 2023 Jacques Rivoal provided the latest stats on the success of this Rugby World Cup, which continues to break all sorts of records.
- 240 million viewers of the four QF RWC 2023 matches – 194% higher than the 2019 quarter-finals.
- 2 million fans have now attended in stadia in France.
- 2.1 million new followers on social media from 50 nations.
- 240 million video views over the weekend of the QF – 50 per cent of the views were on TikTok!
Photo Credit (World Rugby) – RWC 2023 Tournament Director Michel Poussau (left) and Chairman of France 2023 Jacques Rivoal (right)
The tournament had three key goals and the organisers feel they’ve been met thus far:
- Create sporting success
- Have a popular party across the nation
- Create positive societal impacts
Rivoal added, “This Rugby World Cup has played an important role in society in bringing some great moments of brotherhood and collective emotion to families and friends. The promise of the matches to come makes us think that French supporters, fans from abroad and new converts to rugby will continue to fill the stadiums and fan zones as they have done until now for nearly all the matches.”
RWC 2023 Semifinals
World No.8 ranked side Argentina (who were semi-finalists in 2007 and 2015) will take on three-time champions New Zealand (who beat fancied Ireland) on Friday 20th October at Stade de France at 9 pm local time.
In the second semifinal, a repeat of the RWC 2019 final will see the only undefeated side at the tournament, England, take on the current defending champions South Africa – who ousted hosts France from the RWC 2023. The second game occurs at 9 pm at the same stadium on Sunday 21st October.
The Springboks look to become only the second team to defend the Webb Ellis Cup, and they and the All Blacks are in a race to become the first team to lift the trophy four times. South Africa returned to the top of the World Rugby Rankings for the first time in 15 months this week and are closely followed by NZ.
The four teams have been in a combined 24 semifinals at the Rugby World Cups over its history since 1987.
In terms of tickets, the organisers confined there was some brisk trade following the quarterfinal results, with as many as 4,000 tickets being resold on Sunday on the official tournament platform.
RWC 2023 Semifinal Match Officials
Angus Gardner will take charge of the Argentina v New Zealand RWC 2023 semi-final on Friday and will be joined by assistant referees Nic Berry (Australia) and Karl Dickson (England) with Ben Whitehouse (Wales) as Television Match Official.
Ben O’Keeffe is in charge of England v South Africa on Sunday in Paris, and can count on assistant referees Andrew Brace (Ireland) and Paul Williams (New Zealand) and TMO Brendon Pickerill (New Zealand).
World Rugby Chairman Sir Bill Beaumont said: “I would like to congratulate Angus and Ben, the assistant referees and TMOs on their selection for the semi-finals. The match official group as a whole have played a full and positive role in an exceptional Rugby World Cup, including a compelling set of quarter-finals.”
Jaco Peyper was ruled out through injury, and it will be the first Rugby World Cup semi-final for both Angus Gardner and Ben O’Keeffe.
On the matter of negative fan messages online which are targeted ar match officials, which sadly has been a hallmark of this tournament and in rugby of late, Dominic Rumbles (World Rugby Chief Communications Officer) responded that it was “Sad to see this behaviour when emotions run high after a game”. He added that World Rugby can take action against individuals who post things that are not appropriate online which are being monitored with their partnership with Signify Group.
Security Measures – France RWC 2023
Security was a top topic due to the recent events in Europe and Israel this past week but the RWC 2023 organsiers are satisfied with the measures in place. They have urged all fans attending the stadiums and the remaining two fan zones in Paris this coming weekend to come as early as possible and that all remain vigilant and focused.
Rivoal said that more than 1.5 million fans have attended the fan villages and that they are confident in keeping these open for the final weeks of the tournament as planned.
Rugby World Cup 2027 – Qualified Teams
Teams qualified for RWC 2027 in Australia are: Argentina, Australia, England, Fiji, France, Ireland, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Scotland, South Africa, Wales
Rugby World Cup 2023 News
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