New Zealand remain one of the most formidable sides in rugby union and came into the 2023 Rugby World Cup as one of the favourites to take home the trophy.
Across recent times, teams in the northern hemisphere have seemingly led a bit of a revolution, and that level of competition created an tense, action-packed tournament in France, with New Zealand denied a record-breaking fourth title by South Africa in the final.
The Sporting News was on hand to bring you the latest results from the All Blacks' 2023 Rugby World Cup campaign.
New Zealand Rugby World Cup results
Title hopefuls New Zealand began Pool A with a tough opening fixture, suffering a 27-13 defeat to hosts France. That result dictated who finished in top spot, such is the duo's standard above the other sides in their pool.
The All Blacks responded with a massive 71-3 victory over Namibia, scoring 11 tries in the process to return to winning ways, and went even better against Italy, notching 14 more to record a 96-17 thumping of the Azzurri. They rounded out their Pool A matches with a convincing 73-0 win over Uruguay to qualify as runners-up behind Les Bleus.
Facing Ireland in the quarter-finals, the All Blacks were far from favourites, but they produced a world-class performance to prevail 28-24 in Saint-Denis, securing a place in the last four where they'll face Argentina. New Zealand's strong form continued into the last four, scoring seven tries and conceding none to defeat Los Pumas 44-6 and storm into the decider.
In the final, New Zealand scored the game's only try through Beauden Barrett in the second half, but four first-half penalties from South Africa proved too difficult a mountain to climb. The Springboks clung on to win 12-11, sealing back-to-back titles and condemning the All Blacks to just their second-ever defeat in a Rugby World Cup decider.
| GAME | DATE (BST/ET) |
|---|---|
| New Zealand 13-27 France | Sept 8, 2023 (8:15 p.m. / 3:15 p.m.) |
| New Zealand 71-3 Namibia | Sept 15, 2023 (8 p.m. / 3 p.m.) |
| New Zealand 96-17 Italy | Sept 29, 2023 (8 p.m. / 3 p.m.) |
| New Zealand 73-0. Uruguay | Oct 5, 2023 (8 p.m. / 3 p.m.) |
| New Zealand 28-24 Ireland | Oct 14, 2023 (8 p.m. / 3 p.m.) |
| New Zealand 44-6 Argentina | Oct 20, 2023 (8 p.m. / 3 p.m.) |
| New Zealand 11-12 South Africa | Oct 28, 2023 (8 p.m. / 3 p.m.) |
Pool A Rugby World Cup 2023 standings
| Team | PTS | GP | W | L | D | PF | PA | PD | T | BP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| France | 18 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 210 | 32 | +178 | 27 | 2 |
| New Zealand | 15 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 253 | 47 | +206 | 38 | 3 |
| Italy | 10 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 114 | 181 | -67 | 15 | 2 |
| Uruguay | 5 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 65 | 164 | -99 | 9 | 1 |
| Namibia | 0 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 37 | 255 | -218 | 3 | 0 |
Who did New Zealand play in Rugby World Cup quarter-finals?
To qualify from their Pool at this year's tournament, New Zealand had to finish first or second in Pool A.
After finishing second in the group with one defeat and three wins, they faced off against the world's No.1 side, and the winner of Pool B - Ireland, in Saint-Denis on Saturday, October 14.
Rugby World Cup 2023 Quarter-Finals
| Date | Match | City |
|---|---|---|
| Sat, Oct 14 | QF1: Wales 27-29 Argentina | Marseille |
| Sat, Oct 14 | QF2: Ireland 24-28 New Zealand | Saint-Denis |
| Sun, Oct 15 | QF3: England 30-24 Fiji | Marseille |
| Sun, Oct 15 | QF4: France 28-29 South Africa | Saint-Denis |
Who did New Zealand play in Rugby World Cup semi-finals?
After edging Ireland 28-24 in one of the best Rugby World Cup matches ever played, the All Blacks advance from the quarter-final stage to the semi's. Argentina stood in the way of a place in the 2023 final, but were easily defeated 44-6 in a crushing performance from New Zealand.
Rugby World Cup 2023 Semi-Finals
| Date | Match | City |
|---|---|---|
| Fri, Oct 20 | SF1: Argentina 6-44 New Zealand | Saint-Denis |
| Sat, Oct 21 | SF2: England 15-16 South Africa | Saint-Denis |
Who did New Zealand play in the 2023 Rugby World Cup final?
Having thrashed Argentina 44-6 in their semifinal at the Stade de France, New Zealand qualified for the tournament decider and faced South Africa. The Springboks were the only team to have ever defeated the All Blacks in a World Cup final, and they would repeat that feat in 2023, edging their rivals 12-11 despite Kiwi fullback Beauden Barrett scoring the only try of the game.
Rugby World Cup 2023 final
| Date | Match | City |
|---|---|---|
| Sat, Oct 28 | F: New Zealand 11-12 South Africa | Saint-Denis |