Pool D of the 2019 Rugby World Cup began on 21 September 2019. The pool included 2015 runners-up and quarter-finalists Australia and Wales. They were joined by Georgia, who automatically qualified for the first ever time. They were joined by regional qualifiers from the Americas, Uruguay (Americas 2), and Oceania, Fiji (Oceania 1).
Wales and Australia qualified for the quarter-finals, with Wales taking top spot in the pool courtesy of a 29–25 win over the Wallabies in the two sides' second match of the tournament. Fiji, Georgia and Uruguay each won one match, but three bonus points for Fiji meant they finished in third place and qualified for the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
Overview Pool D opened with Australia beating Fiji by 18 points in Sapporo after Fiji led by two points at half-time. Australia scored four tries in the second half for the bonus point. Wales beat Georgia 43–14 at City of Toyota Stadium, after leading 29–0 at half-time and 22–0 after three tries in the first 19 minutes. In Kamaishi, Fiji scored the opening try against Uruguay. Two mistakes within eight minutes gave Teros the lead before a try from Juan Manuel Cat enhanced it to 12 points at half-time. Three Fijian tries in the second half were to no avail as two penalty goals from Felipe Berchesi gave Uruguay their first win in a World Cup since 2003. In Kumagaya on 29 September, Georgia recorded a 33–7 win over Uruguay. Dominant work by their forwards in the second half laid the foundation for the bonus-point victory. Over in Chōfu, Dan Biggar scored the fastest drop goal in World Cup history as Wales led 23–8 at the half. Two second-half tries from Australia brought the scores to within a point but the Welsh held out for a 29–25 win.
A second half performance from Fiji at a wet Hanazono Rugby Stadium saw the Fijians record their first win of their 2019 World Cup campaign as they won 45–10 over Georgia. This was partly due to Semi Radradra scoring two tries while also aiding in setting up three more tries as Fiji scored seven tries to one in the bonus-point victory. Another slow start for the Australians in their game with Uruguay did not stop them from recording a win over the South Americans, with Tevita Kuridrani and Dane Haylett-Petty each getting two tries in the 35-point victory at Ōita Stadium. Four days later at the same stadium, Fiji got off to a 10–0 lead with the tries coming from Josua Tuisova and Kini Murimurivalu within eight minutes. Fiji would hold their lead until the 31st minute when Josh Adams scored his second try of three for the match. Wales increased their lead from there to win 29–17, qualifying for the quarter-finals with Australia. The penultimate match of Pool D saw Australia outlast a tough Georgia in difficult conditions in Fukuroi, as they won 27–8. Wales would finish undefeated with a 35–13 win over Uruguay at Kumamoto Stadium to record a bonus-point victory and set up a quarter-final with France while Australia came in second.
Standings
Matches All times are local Japan Standard Time (UTC+09)
Australia vs Fiji
FB 15Kurtley Beale RW 14Reece HodgeOC 13James O'ConnorIC 12Samu KereviLW 11Marika KoroibeteFH 10Christian Lealiifano SH 9 Nic White N8 8 Isi Naisarani OF 7 Michael Hooper (c)BF 6 David PocockRL 5 Rory Arnold LL 4 Izack RoddaTP 3 Allan Alaalatoa HK 2 Tolu Latu LP 1 Scott Sio Replacements:HK 16Jordan Uelese PR 17James Slipper PR 18Sekope Kepu LK 19Adam Coleman FL 20Lukhan Salakaia-Loto SH 21Will Genia CE 22Matt To'omua FB 23Dane Haylett-Petty Coach: Michael Cheika FB 15Kini Murimurivalu RW 14Josua Tuisova OC 13Waisea NayacalevuIC 12Levani Botia LW 11Semi RadradraFH 10Ben VolavolaSH 9 Frank Lomani N8 8 Viliame Mata OF 7 Peceli Yato BF 6 Dominiko Waqaniburotu (c)RL 5 Leone NakarawaLL 4 Tevita CavubatiTP 3 Peni Ravai HK 2 Sam Matavesi LP 1 Campese Ma'afu Replacements:HK 16Ratu Veremalua Vugakoto PR 17Eroni Mawi PR 18Manasa Saulo LK 19Tevita Ratuva FL 20Mosese Voka SH 21Nikola Matawalu FH 22Alivereti Veitokani WG 23Vereniki Goneva Coach: John McKee Player of the Match: Tolu Latu (Australia)
Assistant referees: Luke Pearce (England) Andrew Brace (Ireland) Television match official: Rowan Kitt (England)
Wales vs Georgia
FB 15Liam Williams RW 14George NorthOC 13Jonathan DaviesIC 12Hadleigh ParkesLW 11Josh AdamsFH 10Dan Biggar SH 9 Gareth Davies N8 8 Josh NavidiOF 7 Justin TipuricBF 6 Aaron Wainwright RL 5 Alun Wyn Jones (c)LL 4 Jake Ball TP 3 Tomas Francis HK 2 Ken Owens LP 1 Wyn Jones Replacements:HK 16Elliot Dee PR 17Nicky Smith PR 18Dillon Lewis FL 19Aaron Shingler N8 20Ross Moriarty SH 21Tomos Williams FH 22Rhys Patchell FB 23Leigh Halfpenny Coach: Warren Gatland FB 15Soso Matiashvili RW 14Mirian ModebadzeOC 13Davit KacharavaIC 12Tamaz MchedlidzeLW 11Giorgi KveseladzeFH 10Tedo AbzhandadzeSH 9 Vasil Lobzhanidze N8 8 Beka Gorgadze OF 7 Mamuka GorgodzeBF 6 Giorgi Tkhilaishvili RL 5 Konstantin Mikautadze LL 4 Giorgi NemsadzeTP 3 Beka Gigashvili HK 2 Shalva Mamukashvili LP 1 Mikheil Nariashvili (c) Replacements:HK 16Jaba Bregvadze PR 17Guram Gogichashvili PR 18Levan Chilachava LK 19Shalva Sutiashvili FL 20Beka Saghinadze FL 21Otar Giorgadze SH 22Gela Aprasidze FH 23Lasha Khmaladze Coach: Milton Haig Player of the Match: Jake Ball (Wales)
Assistant referees: Ben O'Keeffe (New Zealand) Matthew Carley (England) Television match official: Rowan Kitt (England) Notes: Levan Chilachava (Georgia) earned his 50th test cap. Alun Wyn Jones equalled Gethin Jenkins record as the most capped player for Wales with 129 caps. Jonathan Davies' try was the fastest scored by a Welsh player at a Rugby World Cup.
Fiji vs Uruguay
FB 15Alivereti Veitokani RW 14Filipo Nakosi OC 13Semi RadradraIC 12Jale VatubuaLW 11Vereniki GonevaFH 10Josh MatavesiSH 9 Henry Seniloli N8 8 Leone NakarawaOF 7 Mosese Voka BF 6 Dominiko Waqaniburotu (c)RL 5 Api RatuniyarawaLL 4 Tevita Ratuva TP 3 Manasa Saulo HK 2 Mesu Dolokoto LP 1 Eroni Mawi Replacements:HK 16Ratu Veremalua Vugakoto PR 17Campese Ma'afu PR 18Lee Roy Atalifo LK 19Tevita Cavubati HK 20Sam Matavesi SH 21Nikola Matawalu FH 22Ben Volavola CE 23Levani Botia Coach: John McKee FB 15Gastón Mieres RW 14Nicolás FreitasOC 13Juan Manuel Cat IC 12Andrés VilasecaLW 11Rodrigo SilvaFH 10Felipe BerchesiSH 9 Santiago Arata N8 8 Manuel Diana OF 7 Santiago CivettaBF 6 Juan Manuel Gaminara (c)RL 5 Manuel LeindekarLL 4 Ignacio Dotti TP 3 Diego Arbelo HK 2 Germán Kessler LP 1 Mateo Sanguinetti Replacements:HK 16Guillermo Pujadas PR 17Facundo Gattas PR 18Juan Rombys FL 19Franco Lamanna FL 20Juan Diego Ormaechea SH 21Agustín Ormaechea FB 22Felipe Echeverry CE 23Tomás Inciarte Coach: Esteban Meneses Player of the Match: Felipe Berchesi (Uruguay)
Assistant referees: Angus Gardner (Australia) Andrew Brace (Ireland) Television match official: Marius Jonker (South Africa) Notes: Germán Kessler (Uruguay) earned his 50th test cap. This was Uruguay's first Rugby World Cup win since beating Georgia at the 2003 Rugby World Cup. This was Uruguay's first win over a Pacific Island nation. This was the first time that Uruguay has defeated a team that were placed in the top 10 of the World Rugby Rankings.
Georgia vs Uruguay
FB 15Lasha Khmaladze RW 14Zurab DzneladzeOC 13Giorgi KveseladzeIC 12Lasha Malaghuradze LW 11Alexander ToduaFH 10Tedo AbzhandadzeSH 9 Gela Aprasidze N8 8 Otar GiorgadzeOF 7 Beka SaghinadzeBF 6 Shalva Sutiashvili RL 5 Konstantin Mikautadze LL 4 Lasha LomidzeTP 3 Levan Chilachava HK 2 Jaba Bregvadze (c) LP 1 Guram GogichashviliReplacements:HK 16Vano Karkadze PR 17Beka GigashviliPR 18Giorgi Melikidze LK 19Mamuka Gorgodze FL 20Beka Gorgadze SH 21Vasil Lobzhanidze CE 22Merab Sharikadze FB 23Soso Matiashvili Coach: Milton Haig FB 15Gastón Mieres RW 14Nicolás Freitas OC 13Juan Manuel CatIC 12Andrés VilasecaLW 11Rodrigo SilvaFH 10Felipe BerchesiSH 9 Santiago ArataN8 8 Alejandro NietoOF 7 Santiago Civetta BF 6 Juan Manuel Gaminara (c) RL 5 Manuel LeindekarLL 4 Ignacio Dotti TP 3 Juan Rombys HK 2 Germán Kessler LP 1 Mateo Sanguinetti Replacements:HK 16Facundo Gattas PR 17Juan Echeverría PR 18Diego Arbelo LK 19Diego Magno FL 20Juan Diego Ormaechea FL 21Manuel Ardao SH 22Agustín Ormaechea WG 23Leandro Leivas Coach: Esteban Meneses Player of the Match: Otar Giorgadze (Georgia)
Assistant referees: Paul Williams (New Zealand) Alexandre Ruiz (France) Television match official: Marius Jonker (South Africa) Notes: Facundo Gattas' red card meant that Uruguay became the first team to receive red cards in two consecutive World Cups. Georgia's first try was the first try Georgia had ever failed to convert at a Rugby World Cup. This was the first time that Georgia gained a Try Bonus Point.
Australia vs Wales
FB 15Dane Haylett-PettyRW 14Adam Ashley-Cooper OC 13James O'ConnorIC 12Samu KereviLW 11Marika KoroibeteFH 10Bernard Foley SH 9 Will Genia N8 8 Isi Naisarani OF 7 Michael Hooper (c)BF 6 David PocockRL 5 Rory Arnold LL 4 Izack RoddaTP 3 Allan Alaalatoa HK 2 Tolu Latu LP 1 Scott Sio Replacements:HK 16Jordan Uelese PR 17James Slipper PR 18Sekope Kepu LK 19Adam Coleman FL 20Lukhan Salakaia-Loto SH 21Nic White CE 22Matt To'omua FB 23Kurtley Beale Coach: Michael Cheika FB 15Liam WilliamsRW 14George NorthOC 13Jonathan DaviesIC 12Hadleigh Parkes LW 11Josh AdamsFH 10Dan Biggar SH 9 Gareth Davies N8 8 Josh NavidiOF 7 Justin TipuricBF 6 Aaron Wainwright RL 5 Alun Wyn Jones (c)LL 4 Jake Ball TP 3 Tomas Francis HK 2 Ken Owens LP 1 Wyn Jones Replacements:HK 16Elliot Dee PR 17Nicky Smith PR 18Dillon Lewis FL 19Aaron Shingler N8 20Ross Moriarty SH 21Tomos Williams FH 22Rhys Patchell CE 23Owen Watkin Coach: Warren Gatland Player of the Match: Gareth Davies (Wales)
Assistant referees: Luke Pearce (England) Karl Dickson (England) Television match official: Ben Skeen (New Zealand) Notes: James O'Connor (Australia) earned his 50th test cap. Alun Wyn Jones became the most capped player for Wales with 130 caps, surpassing Gethin Jenkins record of 129. Dan Biggar scored the fastest drop goal in Rugby World Cup history, with the referee signalling the score after 36 seconds.
Georgia vs Fiji
FB 15Soso MatiashviliRW 14Giorgi KveseladzeOC 13Davit KacharavaIC 12Merab Sharikadze (c) LW 11Alexander Todua FH 10Lasha KhmaladzeSH 9 Vasil Lobzhanidze N8 8 Beka GorgadzeOF 7 Mamuka GorgodzeBF 6 Giorgi Tkhilaishvili RL 5 Konstantin Mikautadze LL 4 Giorgi NemsadzeTP 3 Beka Gigashvili HK 2 Shalva Mamukashvili LP 1 Mikheil Nariashvili Replacements:HK 16Jaba Bregvadze PR 17Guram Gogichashvili PR 18Levan Chilachava FL 19Otar Giorgadze FL 20Beka Saghinadze SH 21Gela Aprasidze FH 22Lasha Malaguradze WG 23Mirian Modebadze Coach: Milton Haig FB 15Kini Murimurivalu RW 14Josua TuisovaOC 13Waisea Nayacalevu IC 12Levani BotiaLW 11Semi RadradraFH 10Ben VolavolaSH 9 Frank Lomani N8 8 Peceli Yato OF 7 Semi KunataniBF 6 Dominiko Waqaniburotu (c)RL 5 Leone NakarawaLL 4 Tevita Cavubati TP 3 Manasa Saulo HK 2 Sam Matavesi LP 1 Campese Ma'afu Replacements:HK 16Ratu Veremalua Vugakoto PR 17Peni Ravai PR 18Lee Roy Atalifo LK 19Api Ratuniyarawa N8 20Viliame Mata SH 21Nikola Matawalu CE 22Jale Vatubua CE 23Josh Matavesi Coach: John McKee Player of the Match: Semi Radradra (Fiji)
Assistant referees: Jaco Peyper (South Africa) Matthew Carley (England) Television match official: Graham Hughes (England) Notes: This is Fiji's biggest winning margin over Georgia.
Australia vs Uruguay