🔗 Share this article

While many fans in the UK concentrate on their clubs' early-season fortunes or debate forthcoming fall test matches, the battle for 2027 Rugby World Cup qualifying rages on at full pace.

Chile's Remarkable Accomplishment

Chile secured their second consecutive spot at the tournament with a sensational playoff victory over Samoa recently, leaving only a single place left up for grabs for Australia in two years. Meanwhile, Paraguay stunned Brazil by twenty points in the opening match of their playoff.

The second leg is scheduled this Saturday in Jacareí, near São Paulo, while Brazil's squad aims to emulate the women's success and secure qualification for the first occasion.

Upcoming Qualification Showdown

Whether Paraguay manages a shock overall victory, or Brazil bounces back following manager their coach's departure, the participants for November's Dubai qualification tournament will be confirmed. Namibia, Belgium, and the Samoan side are already confirmed their places for the Dubai-based showdown from November 8th to 18th.

Worldwide Qualifying Updates

Many other nations have also earned their spots. The Hong Kong China team achieved maiden World Cup entry following defeating Korea 70-22 in July, and Zimbabwe will make a comeback to the sport's most prestigious stage for the first time since 1991 after winning the African championship.

Chile's Growing Profile

The consequence of Chile's playoff success ensures that Los Condores will face Italy for the first time next month during the fall test series, replacing Samoa who must compete in Dubai.

The global governing body's chief executive called Chile an "exciting and rapidly rising power" in announcing the upcoming fixture in the Italian city. As local rugby promotional efforts seek larger crowds, Chilean rugby is thriving. A sell-out audience of more than twenty thousand saw the playoff victory in Viña del Mar, and manager the national coach has led the team on an improving path since his appointment in 2018.

Manager's Impressive Legacy

The 50-year-old former Uruguay international forward has been making an impact for many years: recruited by Bristol in the 1990s, he memorably broke through the English defense to touch down at the 2003 global tournament.

His influence as head coach has been similarly significant: Chile have risen to 17th, their highest-ever ranking. During the previous tournament in France, they were defeated in all matches, conceding 215 points and scoring 27, featuring a heavy defeat against the English team.

However, they proudly took the positives, and following the tournament draw in Australia on 3 December, Lemoine can begin planning in earnest. They faced Scotland previously, defeated 52-11 in front of twenty-four thousand fans, and although they were defeated across both matches by the Uruguayan side in the initial qualifying round, they achieved a 21-18 win on the road in Montevideo.

Samoa's Qualification Struggle

Samoa, in contrast, have participated in all Rugby World Cup since 1991, but are currently sitting in 16th place in the global rankings. They were without a victory in this year's regional tournament, resulting in qualifying disappointment against Chile, and the requirement to meet nations such as Belgium adds additional difficulty for the proud rugby nation.

Tournament Structural Updates

Apart from individual nations' fortunes, it is worth noting how different the expanded tournament will appear in the next edition. For the first occasion, there will be a knockout stage with six groups of four teams rather than four groups of five. Group phase jeopardy is significantly reduced because the four best third-place sides will also qualify.

Host Nation and Standings Implications

The organizers, Australia, are currently placed seventh in the world, which means they would fall short on a top seed and could meet either the Springboks, the All Blacks, Ireland, the French, the English, or Argentina in their group. They could climb into the highest seeds during a busy November, though: the English team, Italy, Ireland, and the French team are their fixtures, with a game versus Japan in the capital additionally scheduled for 25 October.

Wales, meanwhile, are balanced in twelfth place, with Japan behind, and the implications of falling to thirteenth and into pot three are possibly significant.

American Presence and Upcoming Events

Another new dimension for 2027 is the presence of five teams from the American continent: Argentina, the Uruguayan side, the United States, Canada, and the Chilean squad – with either Paraguay or Brazil potentially making it six. From World Rugby's viewpoint, engagement from the Americas is beneficial, especially with the 2031 World Cup set to be hosted by the USA, and the host selection for the 2035 tournament was initiated last month.

Immediate Priority

First things first, however. The second installment of Brazil versus Paraguay sets up a four-way qualifying contest, along with a potential standings change throughout Europe in November. No matter how things pan out, Chile's qualification for a second Rugby World Cup has already established them as a resounding triumphant example.