Australia and Fiji impressed in different ways in their opening Rugby World Cup 2023 fixtures and the near-ish neighbors' second fixture in Pool C represents another fascinating clash of styles and heritage today. There are a number of players qualified to represent the other in either squad and, with the Pacific Islanders needing to win to stand any hope of qualifying for the quarter-finals, the match is full of intrigue. The Fijians are in excellent recent form and haven't beaten the Aussies since 1954 – they couldn't, could they?
Kick off is fast approaching and the weather conditions look set for a great game of free-flowing rugby, with temperatures at 26C and the sun shining. Turn on your live stream now to miss a moment.
The teams for this fascinating local derby are below, with both sides desperate for the win...
AUSTRALIA Ben Donaldson; Mark Nawaqanitawase, Jordan Petaia, Samu Kerevi, Marika Koroibete; Carter Gordon, Nic White; Angus Bell, David Porecki, James Slipper, Nick Frost, Will Skelton (captain), Tom Hooper, Fraser McReight, Rob Valetini
Replacements: Jordan Uelese, Blake Schoupp, Zane Nonggorr, Richard Arnold, Robert Leota, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Lalakai Foketi, Suli Vunivalu
FIJI Ilaisa Droasese; Jiuta Wainiqolo, Waisea Nayacalevu (captain), Josua Tuisova, Semi Radradra; Teti Tela, Simione Kuruvoli; Eroni Mawi, Samuel Matavesi, Luke Tagi, Isoa Nasilasila, Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, Lekima Tagitagivalu, Levani Botia, Viliame Mata
Replacements: Tevita Ikanivere, Peni Ravai, Mesake Doge, Temo Mayanavanua, Albert Tuisue, Frank Lomani, Vilimoni Botitu, Vinaya Habosi
Australia vs Fiji in the Rugby World Cup is airing for FREE in the UK today, on the ITVX streaming service. But don't worry if you're abroad while the games are playing, because you can watch the Rugby World Cup 2023 live streams on ITVX from anywhere with a VPN.
► Date: Sunday, September 17
► Time: 11:45 am ET / 8:45 am PT / 4:45 pm UK / 1:45 am AEST (Sep. 18)
US: Peacock
UK: ITV1 | ITVX (both free with license fee)
AU: Stan Sport| 9Now (free)
Stream anywhere: ExpressVPN
Australia may still be adapting to the recent return of head coach Eddie Jones, but in beating Georgia 35-15 in its opening Rugby World Cup 2023 fixture, the Wallabies could breathe a sigh of relief that they avoided any upset. That victory was actually Jones' first in his second stint in charge of the Aussies and now comes an even tougher test against Fiji. Samu Kerevi played just over a half against Georgia on his injury return and this clash is more than just a game for the Fiji-born center who says the country "a special place in my heart". Jones is sweating on strike prop Taniela Tupou's fitness, though, and will need all the forward power he can get against the Flying Fijians.
Fiji, meanwhile, has a shout for being the in-form team at the tournament outside of the Tier 1 nations. From 32-14 down to Wales at half time to 32-26 in the dying moments of their opening fixture, Fiji had a golden chance to cause a seismic upset only for former NRL star Semi Radradra to knock on with the goal line at his mercy for what would have been a game-changing score. There's little doubt, however, that such a moment has firmly installed the Flying Fijians as the neutrals' choice for the tournament, having already beaten England in a warm-up match 30-22 at Twickenham. Fiji must win to keep any realistic hope of reaching the knockouts alive. "Australia is our final now," says Fiji's assistant coach Daryl Gibson. "We know that we need to beat Australia to stay in the competition. That’s a pretty simple formula." Most of the rugby world will be with them.
Whether you're planning to catch an Australia vs Fiji live stream or watch the entire Rugby World Cup 2023 today on your TV or your laptop, keep reading for your entire list of options. We've also included lots of useful information below so you know when the matches take place, who will play, and where this evening's drama will go down.
How to watch Australia vs Fiji in the UK for free
In the UK, ITV is the exclusive broadcaster for the 2023 Rugby World Cup, so you'll be able to watch Australia vs Fiji – and all the games – on one of the various ITV-branded channels. You'll be able to watch this game on ITV1, with coverage beginning at 4:15 pm ahead of the 4:45 pm kick-off.
If you don't have a TV, then you'll be able to use ITVX on your computer, phone, tablet or smart TV, as that lets you live stream from ITV channels.
ITV1 and ITVX are free to watch for license fee payers. If you're trying to access the streaming platform while outside the UK, you might want to try a VPN to allow you to watch from abroad.
How to watch Australia vs Fiji in the US
Thanks to a partnership between World Rugby and NBC Sports, the broadcasting company will be the exclusive home for the Rugby World Cup games – including Australia vs Fiji, which will be streamed live on Peacock. The match kicks off at 11:45 am ET / 8:45 am PT.
You can sign in to Peacock, which starts at $5.99 per month for ad-enabled streaming or $11.99 for ad-free, and it's showing all of the Rugby World Cup games too.
Remember, if you're away from the US at the minute, you'll need a VPN to ensure you can still watch the Australia vs Fiji live stream without being geo-blocked. Keep reading on to find out how to get yourself set up.
How to watch Australia vs Fiji in Australia for free
In Australia, you've got two options for watching the Rugby World Cup. Firstly, online streaming service Stan Sport will be showing every single game – including Australia vs Fiji. The match kicks off bright and early on Monday, September 18 at 1:45 am AEST.
Beyond this fixture, free-to-air Channel Nine will be showing all of the Australian team's games (and the final, whether or not the Wallabies make it), and will also be streaming it on 9Now.
Not in Australia right now? Make sure you get yourself a VPN to ensure you don't miss a second of the Australia vs Fiji live stream from the Rugby World Cup 2023.
How to watch Australia vs Fiji everywhere else
Wherever you live, there's a good possibility that a national broadcaster is streaming the Rugby World Cup matches, particularly if your country has a team playing in the tournament.
However, there's a possibility that there's no easy way of watching the games. Thankfully, you can solve this issue with a Virtual Private Network (a VPN).
A VPN lets you get around the usual digital barriers by changing your IP address, meaning you can watch events like the Rugby World Cup 2023 tournament even if it is not directly broadcasting where you are. Our favorite is ExpressVPN, which is the No. 1-rated VPN in the world right now according to our sister site, TechRadar.
How to use a VPN to watch any stream
- Download the app at ExpressVPN
- Choose the location of the streaming service you want to watch.
- Navigate to the streaming service and start watching!
Rugby World Cup 2023 fixtures
Group stage
Saturday, September 16
Group B: Ireland vs Tonga
Group C: Wales vs Portugal
Group D: Samoa vs Chile
Sunday, September 17
Group B: South Africa vs Romania
Group C: Australia vs Fiji
Group D: England vs Japan
Wednesday, September 20
Group A: Italy vs Uruguay
Thursday, September 21
Group A: France vs Namibia
Friday, September 22
Group D: Argentina vs Samoa
Saturday, September 23
Group B: South Africa vs Ireland
Group C: Georgia vs Portugal
Group D: England vs Chile
Sunday, September 24
Group B: Scotland vs Tonga
Group C: Wales vs Australia
Wednesday, September 27
Group A: Uruguay vs Namibia
Thursday, September 28
Group D: Japan vs Samoa
Friday, September 29
Group A: New Zealand vs Italy
Saturday, September 30
Group B: Scotland vs Romania
Group C: Fiji vs Georgia
Group D: Argentina vs Chile
Sunday, October 1
Group B: South Africa vs Tonga
Group C: Australia vs Portugal
Thursday, October 5
Group A: New Zealand vs Uruguay
Friday, October 6
Group A: France vs Italy
Saturday, October 7
Group B: Ireland vs Scotland
Group C: Wales vs Georgia
Group D: England vs Samoa
Sunday, October 8
Group B: Tonga vs Romania
Group C: Fiji vs Portugal
Group D: Japan vs Argentina
Knockout stage
Saturday, October 14
QF1: Group C winner vs Group D runner-up
QF2: Group B winner vs Group A runner-up
Sunday, October 15
QF3: Group D winner vs Group C runner-up
QF4: Group A winner vs Group B runner-up
Friday, October 20
SF1: QF1 winner vs QF2 winner
Saturday, October 21
SF2: QF3 winner vs QF4 winner
Friday, October 27
Bronze Final: SF1 loser vs SF2 loser
Saturday, October 28
Final: SF1 winner vs SF2 winner
Rugby World Cup 2023 questions
Where does the Rugby World Cup take place?
The Rugby World Cup 2023 is being hosted by France, with nine different locations around the country hosting rugby games:
- Stade de Framce in Saint-Denis, capacity 80,698
- Stade Vélodrome in Marseille, capacity 67,394
- Stade Lyon-Décines in Décines-Charpieu, capacity 59,186
- Stade Pierre-Mauroy in Villeneuve-d'Ascq, capacity 50,186
- Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux in Bordeaux, capacity 42,115
- Stade Geoffroy-Guichard in Saint-Étienne, capacity 41,965
- Stade de Nice in Nice, 35,624
- Stade de la Beaujoire in Nantes, capacity 35,322
- Stadium Municipa in Toulouse, capacity 33,150
Which teams are in the Rugby World Cup?
There are 20 teams partaking in the Rugby World Cup, with each split into four groups of five in the first stage of the tournament.
Chile makes its debut to the tournament this year, knocking out the United States and Canada in its successful qualification tournament.
Group A
New Zealand
France
Italy
Uruguay
Namibia
Group B
South Africa
Ireland
Scotland
Tonga
Romania
Group C
Wales
Australia
Fiji
Georgia
Portugal
Group D
England
Japan
Argentina
Samoa
Chile
