It's deja vu for Fiji who have been drawn in the same Rugby World Cup pool as Wales and Australia for the third consecutive tournament.
Fiji were beaten 39-21 by the Wallabies in their opening match of the 2019 tournament in Japan. Photo: AFP or licensors
The draw for the 2023 tournament was held in Paris this morning, with the Flying Fijians placed in Pool C alongside Wales, Australia, Europe 1 and the winner of the final qualification tournament.
Your Pools at Rugby World Cup 2023!
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) December 14, 2020
Register for tickets here: https://t.co/wiftbbRu2B#RWC2023 pic.twitter.com/PFKEGHRrAO
2023 will mark the fifth consecutive World Cup in which Fiji and Wales have clashed in the group stage.
The Welsh have won the last three encounters although head coach Wayne Pivac - who was in charge of Fiji during the mid 2000s - is keen to avoid a repeat of the Flying Fijians famous win in 2007.
"We certainly don't want that happening again but it just shows that on their day Fiji can be very very dangerous and at that particular tournament they were dangerous in the quarter final against South Africa as well."
Fiji and Wales will meet at a fifth consecutive Rugby World Cup. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
In 2015, the Wallabies won 28-13 in Cardiff, while Wales prevailed 23-13 over Fiji in front of their home supporters.
The winner of next year's playoff between Samoa and Tonga will contest Pool D at the 2023 World Cup, alongside Six Nations champions England, 2019 hosts Japan, Argentina and the second qualifier from the Americas, likely to be either Canada or the United States.
Excited to do this all over again, @wallabies @fijirugby. #RWC2023 pic.twitter.com/bmykNqsXwF
— Welsh Rugby Union (@WelshRugbyUnion) December 14, 2020
The Oceania playoff loser will get two chances to secure their qualification for the 2023 World Cup.
Firstly, they'll face the 2021 Oceania Rugby Cup champions for the right to advance to a cross-regional play-off against Asia 1. The winner of that game will seal their spot in Pool D alongside world champions South Africa, Ireland, Scotland and a European qualifier.
Samoa and Tonga have yet to qualify for the 2023 Rugby World Cup. Photo: World Rugby / Trina Edwards
The loser will enter the Final Qualification Tournament, where they will compete with teams from Africa, the Americas and Europe for the final place in Pool C.
Meanwhile World Cup hosts France will face the All Blacks, Italy and qualifiers from the Americas and Africa in Pool A.
Twelve teams have already qualified - the top three teams from each of the four pools at the 2019 World Cup - and were seeded into three bands based on their position in the World Rugby rankings at the start of this year.
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.
