The Rugby World Cup 2023 in France will feature Pool Play matches between the All Blacks, France, Italy, and two yet-to-be-determined qualifiers.
Overnight, a draw was conducted in Paris, with Pool A’s other participants including New Zealand, the hosts France, Italy, the Americas 1, and Africa 1. The All Blacks have faced France seven times at RWCs, which is the most of any nation, as well as five times against Italy, with the 2019 match being postponed.
Rugby Americas North champion in 2021 and Sudamerica Rugby champion in 2021 will compete in a play-off series to determine the Americas 1 champion. The 2022 Rugby Africa Cup will be won by Africa 1.
The competition will include 20 teams split into four pools of five teams, as it has in past Rugby World Cups.
the All Blacks need to win the World Cup in 2023
The full 2023 Rugby World Cup Pools are as follows:
Pool A: New Zealand, France, Italy, Americas 1 and Africa 1.
Pool B: South Africa, Ireland, Scotland, Asia / Pacific 1 and Europe 2.
Pool C: Wales, Australia, Fiji, Europe 1 and Final Qualifier Winner.
Pool D: England, Japan, Argentina, Oceania 1 and Americas 2.
The 2023 RWC will take place from 8 September to 21 October at nine venues.
The All Blacks have won the Rugby World Cup three times: the inaugural competition in 1987 and back-to-back titles in 2011 and 2015.
All Blacks Rugby World Cup 2023 Fixtures & Results
POOL A – New Zealand, France, Italy, Uruguay, Namibia
Fri 8 Sept France v New Zealand (Stade de France, Saint-Denis)
Fri 15 Sept New Zealand v Namibia (Stadium de Toulouse, Toulouse)
Fri 29 Sept New Zealand v Italy (Parc OL, Lyon)
Thu 5 Oct New Zealand v Uruguay (Parc OL, Lyon)
Read more: New Zealand Rugby World Cup live stream