🔗 Share this article

While numerous fans in the UK concentrate on their clubs' season-opening fortunes or debate forthcoming fall test matches, the contest for 2027 Rugby World Cup qualifying continues unabated.

Chile's Remarkable Accomplishment

Chile secured their back-to-back spot at the tournament with a sensational playoff victory against Samoa recently, leaving one remaining spot to be claimed for the host nation in two years. Meanwhile, the Paraguayan side surprised Brazil 39-19 in the opening match of their qualifying series.

The second leg is scheduled on Saturday in the Brazilian city, near São Paulo, while Brazil's squad attempts to follow their women's achievement and secure qualification for the first time.

Forthcoming Qualification Showdown

Whether Paraguay completes a shock overall victory, or Brazil bounces back after manager Emiliano Caffera's recent dismissal, the participants for November's Dubai qualification tournament will then be finalized. The Namibian team, the Belgian squad, and Samoa have already secured spots for the Dubai-based competition from 8-18 November.

Global Qualification Developments

Several other teams have likewise secured their spots. The Hong Kong China team achieved maiden qualification after defeating Korea 70-22 in the summer, and Zimbabwe will return to the sport's premier tournament for the first time since 1991 by virtue of claiming victory in the African championship.

Chile's Growing Reputation

The knock-on effect of Chile's qualifying triumph ensures that Los Condores will face Italy for the first occasion in November during the fall test series, replacing Samoa who must compete in Dubai.

The global governing body's chief executive described Chile an "thrilling and fast-emerging power" in announcing the upcoming fixture in the Italian city. While domestic the sport markets seek larger crowds, rugby in Chile is thriving. A capacity crowd of more than twenty thousand witnessed the qualifying win in Viña del Mar, and head coach the national coach has led the team on an improving path since his appointment in 2018.

Coach's Impressive Career

The 50-year-old former Uruguay international prop has been influencing the game for decades: signed by Bristol in the late 90s, he memorably broke through England defensive line to touch down at the 2003 Rugby World Cup.

His influence as national coach has been equally powerful: Chile have risen to seventeenth place, their highest-ever ranking. During the last World Cup in Europe, they were beaten four times, conceding 215 points and registering 27, featuring a heavy loss against the English team.

Nevertheless, they proudly took the positive aspects, and after the 2027 draw in Sydney on 3 December, Lemoine can begin planning in earnest. They faced Scotland last year, defeated 52-11 in front of twenty-four thousand fans, and although they were beaten across two legs by Uruguay in the first qualifying round, they achieved a 21-18 win on the road in Montevideo.

The Samoan Qualification Challenge

The Samoan team, meanwhile, have participated in all Rugby World Cup for decades, but are presently sitting in 16th place in the men's rankings. They were winless in the recent regional tournament, resulting in playoff misery versus Chile, and the requirement to meet nations such as Belgium brings additional challenge for the rugby-loving country.

Competition Structural Updates

Beyond specific teams' performances, it is important to consider how changed the larger tournament will look in 2027. For the first time, there will be a round of 16 with six groups of four teams instead of four groups of five teams. Pool-stage jeopardy is much lower because the top four third-placed teams will also advance.

Hosts and Rankings Implications

The organizers, the Australian team, are currently placed seventh in the world, which means they would miss out on top seeding and could face one of the Springboks, the All Blacks, Ireland, the French, England, or Argentina in Pool A. They may climb into the top six during a busy November, however: England, Italy, the Irish squad, and France are their fixtures, with a match versus the Japanese team in Tokyo additionally scheduled for 25 October.

Wales, meanwhile, are balanced in 12th, with the Japanese side behind, and the implications of falling to 13th and into the third seeding group are potentially severe.

American Presence and Upcoming Events

Another fresh aspect for the next World Cup is the presence of five nations from the American continent: Argentina, the Uruguayan side, USA, the Canadian team, and the Chilean squad – with either Paraguay or Brazil potentially making it six. From World Rugby's viewpoint, American interest is beneficial, especially with the 2031 tournament set to be staged by the United States, and the selection process for the 2035 tournament was initiated last month.

Immediate Priority

First things first, though. The return match of Brazil versus Paraguay prepares a four-way Dubai shootout, combined with a potential rankings shake-up across the European nations in November. Regardless of how things pan out, Chile's qualification for a second consecutive World Cup has undoubtedly established them as a resounding triumphant example.