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How to watch the 2023 Rugby World Cup live in Australia

The world’s 20 best teams will compete for the Webb Ellis Cup

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Mark Neilsen

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Watch the Rugby World Cup M

Due to its scheduling, the quadrennial Rugby World Cup managed to avoid all the delays that struck other major events due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and returns on schedule in 2023. France is hosting the tournament for the second time. For Australian rugby fans, you'll be able to watch every game live.

The Springboks are the defending champions, after they won the last tournament in 2019. Ireland are the number 1 ranked team going into the tournament, but South Africa, France and New Zealand are close behind.

How to watch the 2023 Rugby World Cup live in Australia

There are 2 options to watch the 2023 Rugby World Cup, via paid streaming service Stan Sport or for free via the 9 Network.

Stan Sport will screen all 48 matches of the Rugby World Cup.

The 9 Network meanwhile will only have select coverage, screening only Wallabies matches and the finals.

Live stream the 2023 Rugby World Cup on Stan Sport

Stan Sport will stream every match of the Rugby World Cup 2023 ad-free, live and in 4K UHD.

Stan Sport is an additional $15 a month add-on to a normal Stan subscription. So the cheapest way to watch the Rugby World Cup on Stan Sport will be $27 a month. Stan Sport also doesn't have a free trial, so if you're new to the service, you'll be paying straight away after signing up. Keep in mind too that the tournament is played across 51 days, so to watch the entire tournament on Stan Sport, you'd need to subscribe for at least 2 months.

If you're a rugby union fan, Stan Sport is a good service for you. Aside from the World Cup, it features most major rugby union tournament action, including The Rugby Championship, Super Rugby and the Six Nations.

Watch 2023 Rugby World Cup live and free on Channel 9 and 9Now

If you're a casual rugby union fan, or you just want to follow the progress of the Australian rugby team the Wallabies, then the coverage offered by Channel 9 should be enough for you.

Wallabies matches and the 2023 Rugby World Cup final will be shown live and free on Channel 9 and streamed on 9Now.

So while you will get access to coverage of the Rugby World Cup at no cost, the obvious drawback is if you have an interest in any other team besides the Wallabies. You will only be able to watch other teams on Channel 9 if they play the Wallabies or make the final. Also, you will have ads in this coverage compared to the ad-free presentation on Stan Sport.

When is the 2023 Rugby World Cup?

The 2023 Rugby World Cup runs from 9 September AEST to 29 October AEDT.

All up there will be 48 matches throughout the tournament.

2023 Rugby World Cup fixtures and TV schedule

Image: Supplied: Stan Sport
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Mark Neilsen writes about streaming at Finder. He has over 20 years experience in entertainment media, having worked for street bible The Drum Media as well as The Music's magazine and website. He's partial to movies and TV shows featuring explosions and/or zombies, as well as the genteel pace of Test cricket. He's also trying to invent a time machine so as to whittle down the shows on his various watchlists. See full bio

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