🔗 Share this article

While numerous supporters in the UK concentrate on their clubs' early-season performances or debate upcoming autumn internationals, the contest for 2027 Rugby World Cup qualifying continues at full pace.

Chile's Remarkable Achievement

Chile secured their second consecutive spot at the tournament with a stunning qualifying win over Samoa recently, leaving a single remaining spot to be claimed for Australia in two years. At the same time, the Paraguayan side surprised Brazil by twenty points in the first leg of their qualifying series.

The return match is scheduled on Saturday in the Brazilian city, near São Paulo, while Brazil's squad attempts to emulate the women's achievement and qualify for the first time.

Forthcoming Qualifying Showdown

Regardless of Paraguay completes a shock overall victory, or Brazil recovers following head coach Emiliano Caffera's recent dismissal, the lineup for next month's qualifying event in Dubai will then be finalized. Namibia, the Belgian squad, and Samoa have already secured spots for the Dubai-based competition from November 8th to 18th.

Global Qualifying Updates

Many additional nations have also earned their spots. Hong Kong China sealed first-time qualification following beating Korea 70-22 in the summer, while the Zimbabwean squad will make a comeback to the sport's most prestigious stage for the first time since 1991 by virtue of winning the African championship.

Chile's Growing Profile

The knock-on effect of Chile's playoff success means that Los Condores will play against Italy for the first time next month during the autumn internationals, taking the place of Samoa who must participate in the Dubai tournament.

World Rugby's CEO called Chile an "thrilling and rapidly rising force" in announcing the upcoming fixture in Genoa. As domestic rugby promotional efforts seek larger crowds, Chilean rugby is buoyant. A capacity crowd of over 20,000 saw the qualifying win in the coastal city, and head coach the national coach has guided the team on an improving path since his appointment in recent years.

Coach's Impressive Legacy

The 50-year-old former Uruguay international forward has been influencing the game for many years: recruited by the English club in the late 90s, he famously broke through England defensive line to score at the 2003 Rugby World Cup.

His influence as national coach has been similarly significant: Chile have risen to 17th, their best ranking. At the last World Cup in Europe, they were defeated four times, conceding 215 points and registering twenty-seven, including a heavy defeat against the English team.

Nevertheless, they proudly took the positive aspects, and after the 2027 draw in Australia on December 3rd, the coach can start preparations seriously. They hosted the Scottish team previously, defeated 52-11 before twenty-four thousand supporters, and although they were defeated across two legs by the Uruguayan side in the initial 2027 playoff, they achieved a 21-18 away victory in Montevideo.

The Samoan Qualification Challenge

The Samoan team, in contrast, have participated in every Rugby World Cup since 1991, but are currently languishing in sixteenth place in the men's rankings. They were without a victory in the recent regional tournament, leading to qualifying disappointment against Chile, and the requirement to meet nations such as Belgium brings additional difficulty for the proud rugby nation.

Competition Format Changes

Apart from individual nations' performances, it is worth noting how changed the larger competition will look in 2027. For the first time, there will be a knockout stage with six groups of four teams instead of four pools of five teams. Group phase jeopardy is much lower because the four best third-placed sides will additionally advance.

Host Nation and Standings Consequences

The organizers, Australia, are currently ranked seventh in the world, meaning they would fall short on top seeding and could meet one of South Africa, New Zealand, the Irish, France, the English, or Argentina in their group. They could climb into the top six during a busy November, however: England, the Italian side, the Irish squad, and the French team are their opponents, with a match versus Japan in Tokyo additionally scheduled for October 25th.

The Welsh team, meanwhile, are balanced in 12th, with Japan behind, and the implications of dropping to 13th and into pot three are possibly significant.

American Representation and Upcoming Events

Another fresh aspect for the next World Cup is the participation of five teams from the American continent: the Argentine team, the Uruguayan side, USA, Canada, and the Chilean squad – with Paraguay or Brazil possibly making it six. From the governing body's perspective, engagement from the Americas is beneficial, especially with the 2031 World Cup set to be staged by the United States, and the host selection for the 2035 edition was initiated recently.

Current Focus

For now, however. The return match of Brazil v Paraguay sets up a four-way Dubai shootout, along with a potential rankings shake-up across Europe in the coming month. Regardless of the outcome, Chile's qualification for a second Rugby World Cup has undoubtedly made them as a resounding success story.