🔗 Share this article

While numerous supporters in the UK focus on club season-opening fortunes or debate upcoming fall test matches, the contest for 2027 Rugby World Cup qualification rages on unabated.

Chile's Historic Accomplishment

Chile earned their back-to-back appearance at the tournament with a stunning playoff victory against Samoa last month, leaving a single place left up for grabs for Australia in two years. At the same time, the Paraguayan side stunned Brazil 39-19 in the opening match of their qualifying series.

The return match is scheduled on Saturday in Jacareí, close to São Paulo, as Brazil's squad aims to emulate the women's success and secure qualification for the first occasion.

Upcoming Qualifying Clash

Regardless of Paraguay completes a shock overall win, or Brazil recovers following head coach Emiliano Caffera's departure, the lineup for next month's Dubai qualification tournament will be confirmed. The Namibian team, the Belgian squad, and the Samoan side have already secured their places for the Dubai-based showdown from November 8th to 18th.

Global Qualification Developments

Many additional teams have also secured their spots. Hong Kong China achieved maiden World Cup entry after defeating Korea 70-22 in the summer, while the Zimbabwean squad will return to rugby union's most prestigious stage for the first time since 1991 after winning 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 autumn internationals, replacing Samoa who must compete in the Dubai tournament.

The global governing body's CEO called Chile an "thrilling and fast-emerging power" in confirming the upcoming match in the Italian city. As local the sport promotional efforts seek increased attendance, Chilean rugby is thriving. A capacity crowd of more than twenty thousand saw the qualifying win in Viña del Mar, and manager the national coach has led the team on an improving path since taking over in 2018.

Coach's Notable Career

The 50-year-old former Uruguayan prop has been making an impact for many years: signed by Bristol in the 1990s, he memorably broke through the English defense to score at the 2003 Rugby World Cup.

His impact as head coach has been equally powerful: Chile have risen to seventeenth place, their highest-ever position. During the last tournament in France, they were defeated four times, conceding over two hundred points and scoring twenty-seven, featuring a heavy loss against England.

Nevertheless, they confidently found the positives, and following the 2027 draw in Australia on 3 December, Lemoine can begin planning in earnest. They hosted Scotland previously, defeated 52-11 in front of twenty-four thousand supporters, and although they were defeated across both matches by the Uruguayan side in the initial qualifying round, they managed a narrow away victory in Montevideo.

Samoa's Qualification Challenge

Samoa, in contrast, have not missed all Rugby World Cup since 1991, but are presently languishing in 16th place in the men's rankings. They were without a victory in this year's regional tournament, resulting in playoff misery against Chile, and the need to meet nations such as Belgium adds additional challenge for the rugby-loving country.

Tournament Format Changes

Beyond specific teams' performances, it is worth noting how different the expanded competition will look in the next edition. For the first time, there will be a round of 16 with six groups of four teams rather than four pools of five. Pool-stage risk is much lower because the top four third-placed teams will additionally advance.

Hosts and Rankings Implications

The organizers, the Australian team, are currently placed seventh in the global rankings, meaning they would miss out on top seeding and could meet one of the Springboks, the All Blacks, Ireland, France, the English, or the Pumas in Pool A. They could climb into the top six during a packed autumn schedule, though: England, the Italian side, the Irish squad, and the French team are their opponents, with a match versus Japan in Tokyo also planned for October 25th.

The Welsh team, on the other hand, are balanced in twelfth place, with the Japanese side below, and the consequences of dropping to thirteenth and into pot three are potentially significant.

American Representation and Upcoming Events

An additional new dimension for 2027 is the presence of five teams from the American continent: Argentina, Uruguay, the United States, the Canadian team, and Chile – with either Paraguay or Brazil potentially becoming the sixth. From World Rugby's viewpoint, American interest is positive, especially with the 2031 World Cup set to be staged by the United States, and the selection process for the 2035 tournament was initiated last month.

Current Focus

For now, though. The second installment of Brazil v Paraguay sets up a four-team qualifying contest, combined with a potential standings change across Europe in the coming month. No matter the outcome, Chile's qualification for a second Rugby World Cup has already established them as a resounding triumphant example.