New Zealand in the World Cup quarter-finals: the legendary All Blacks knock Uruguay out of the way

New Zealand to the World Cup quarter-finals
The legendary All Blacks sweep Uruguay out of the way

October 5, 2023, 11:36 pm

The All Blacks live up to their role as Rugby World Cup favorites and clearly defeat Uruguay. Qualification to the quarter-finals is certain, but winning the group has not yet been achieved. Meanwhile, Australians still have to worry about moving forward.

New Zealand, three-time world champions, have reached the quarter-finals of the Rugby World Cup in France. In their last match in the preliminary round, the All Blacks defeated Uruguay 73-0, topping Group A by 15 points over the French. This means that the All Blacks can no longer be knocked out of one of the top two places.

Undefeated hosts France, who won their opening match against the New Zealanders 27:13 on September 8, will play Italy in the group finale on Friday. If they win, the French (currently 13 points) will be the group winners. If it loses to Italy (10), France may fall to third place and thus miss the first eight. Four points are awarded for a win and an additional point is awarded for four or more attempts at the game.

For New Zealand, which won the title in 1987, 2011 and 2015, Damian McKenzie shone with a try in each half. The All Blacks scored eleven tries past Uruguay, and the New Zealanders’ impressive attacking prowess is reflected in a total of 36 tries and 240 points in their last three matches – only the French kept the Men in Black in check initially.

Australia, the two-time champion, has previously avoided exiting the preliminary round, at least for the time being. The proud rugby nation defeated Portugal in Saint-Etienne by a score of 34:14 (24:7) and also scored the coveted bonus point with five tries. However, the Wallabies, who have already played their four qualifying round matches, will have to hope to be beaten without a bonus point for Fiji on Sunday against the winless Portuguese side to qualify. Group leaders Wales (14) have already been confirmed for the quarter-finals. They are followed by Fiji and Australia with the same points (10 each).