Every 2023 Rugby World Cup team’s nickname

In the list below, we explore the fascinating nicknames of the 20 teams who qualified for the 2023 Rugby World Cup taking place in France later this year.

Team nicknames are affectionate monikers given to sports teams that are often derived from the team of its country’s history, characteristics, or cultural significance.

One of the more unusual aspects of international rugby is the fact that some nations use nicknames for their fifteens. 

In the 2023 Rugby World Cup, each participating team brings with them a unique nickname that adds an extra dimension to the tournament.

Take a look at all of the International rugby team’s nicknames heading into this year’s showpiece tournament.

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A COMPREHENSIVE LIST OF RWC TEAM NICKNAMES

POOL A

New Zealand
Nickname: All Blacks
Origin: Name originated in 1905 because the team’s uniform was all black. The team continue to wear the colour to this day.

France
Nickname: Les Bleus
Origin: France have their nickname because they where all blue kit.

Italy
Nickname: Azzurri
Origin: The same as their football (soccer) team and other Italian teams, a reference to their jersey color. Translates as “light blue or ‘azure’.

Namibia
Nickname: Welwitschias
Origin: A plant which is considered a living fossil and features on the country’s coat of arms. 

Uruguay
Nickname: Los Teros
Origin: Originates from the emblem on their shirt. It has the country’s national bird on it, the southern lapwing, which is also known as a tero.

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POOL B

Ireland
Nickname: Ireland do not commonly use a nickname.
Origin: N/A

South Africa
Nickname: Springboks
Origin: The word Springbok comes from Afrikaans words: “Spring” which means jump and the word “bok” which means buck or antelope. This is because the springbok has a unique pronking or stotting jump where its legs are stiffened as the animal leaps into the air. Jumps can be as high as 2 meters (6 foot).

Scotland
Nickname: Much like their Irish counterparts, Scotland do not commonly use a nickname.
Origin: N/A

Tonga
Nickname: Ikale Tahi
Origin: The moniker translates to sea eagles. There are no sea eagles in Tonga but the animal symbolises courage and majesty.

Romania
Nickname: The Oaks
Origin: Several oak species are found only on Romanian territory.

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POOL C

Australia
Nickname: Wallabies
Origin: A wallaby is a small kangaroo native to Australia.

Wales
Nickname: Dragons
Origin: Their national symbol. It’s even on their flag.

Fiji
Nickname: Flying Fijians
Origin: The nickname is in reference to Fijian players’ reputation for an unorthodox, unpredictable, high-flying, exciting style of play.

Georgia
Nickname: Lelos
Origin: The name comes from lelo, an indigenous Georgian sport, called lelo burti, with strong similarities to rugby.

Portugal
Nickname: Os Lobos
Origin: It means ‘The Wolves’.

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POOL D

Argentina
Nickname: Los Pumas
Origin: They’re called this because of the animal depicted as the team’s emblem. However, that animal is actually a jaguar (ayaguareté) and not a puma.

England
Nickname: The Roses
Origin: Commonly refers to the national rugby teams’ emblem, which is a red rose.

Japan
Nickname: Brave Blossoms
Origin: Named after their emblem. The team was previously called the ‘Cherry Blossoms’.

Samoa
Nickname: Manu Samoa
Origin: ‘Manu Samoa’ is the name of a famous Samoan chief/warrior some 10 generations ago.

Chile
Nickname: Los Condores
Origin: The English translation of the nickname means condor, which is the name of the national bird of Chile.

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RUGBY WORLD CUP 2023 MATCH SCHEDULE