While numerous supporters in the UK concentrate on their clubs' early-season performances or debate upcoming fall test matches, the battle for 2027 Rugby World Cup qualifying rages on unabated.
Chile earned their back-to-back spot at the tournament with a sensational playoff victory against Samoa recently, leaving only one remaining spot to be claimed for the host nation in two years. At the same time, the Paraguayan side surprised Brazil by twenty points in the opening match of their qualifying series.
The return match is scheduled on Saturday in Jacareí, close to São Paulo, as Brazil's men's team attempts to emulate the women's achievement and qualify for the first occasion.
Whether Paraguay manages a shock overall win, or Brazil recovers after manager Emiliano Caffera's departure, the lineup for next month's qualifying event in Dubai will then be finalized. Namibia, the Belgian squad, and Samoa are already confirmed spots for the Middle Eastern competition from November 8th to 18th.
Many other nations have also secured their places. The Hong Kong China team achieved first-time qualification following beating Korea 70-22 in July, while Zimbabwe will make a comeback to the sport's most prestigious stage for the first time since 1991 after winning the African championship.
The consequence of Chile's playoff success ensures that Los Condores will face Italy for the first occasion next month during the fall test series, taking the place of Samoa who must participate in Dubai.
The global governing body's chief executive described Chile an "exciting and fast-emerging power" in confirming the upcoming fixture in the Italian city. As domestic rugby promotional efforts seek increased attendance, rugby in Chile is buoyant. A sell-out audience of over 20,000 saw the playoff victory in Viña del Mar, and head coach the national coach has guided the team on an improving path since taking over in 2018.
The 50-year-old ex- Uruguayan forward has been influencing the game for decades: recruited by the English club in the 1990s, he famously broke through the English defensive line to score at the 2003 Rugby World Cup.
His impact as national coach has been similarly significant: Chile have risen to seventeenth place, their highest-ever position. During the last tournament in France, they were defeated four times, allowing over two hundred points and scoring 27, including a 71-0 loss against the English team.
However, they confidently found the positive aspects, and following the tournament draw in Sydney on December 3rd, Lemoine can begin planning in earnest. They faced the Scottish team previously, losing 52-11 in front of 24,000 fans, and although they were beaten over two legs by Uruguay in the initial 2027 playoff, they managed a 21-18 win on the road in Montevideo.
The Samoan team, meanwhile, have participated in all World Cup for decades, but are currently sitting in 16th place in the men's rankings. They were winless in the recent Pacific Nations Cup, resulting in playoff misery against Chile, and the need to meet teams like Belgium brings further challenge for the proud rugby nation.
Apart from specific teams' fortunes, it is worth noting how different the expanded competition will appear in 2027. For the first occasion, there will be a knockout stage with six groups of four teams instead of four pools of five teams. Group phase risk is significantly reduced because the four best third-placed sides will additionally advance.
The organizers, Australia, are currently ranked seventh in the world, which means they would fall short on top seeding and could meet one of the Springboks, New Zealand, Ireland, France, the English, or Argentina in Pool A. They could climb into the highest seeds during a packed autumn schedule, however: the English team, the Italian side, the Irish squad, and France are their fixtures, with a game against the Japanese team in Tokyo also scheduled for October 25th.
Wales, meanwhile, are teetering in twelfth place, with the Japanese side behind, and the consequences of falling to 13th and into pot three are potentially severe.
An additional fresh aspect for the next World Cup is the presence of five teams from the Americas: the Argentine team, Uruguay, USA, Canada, and Chile – with Paraguay or Brazil potentially making it six. From World Rugby's viewpoint, engagement from the Americas is positive, particularly with the 2031 tournament scheduled to be staged by the United States, and the host selection for the 2035 edition was initiated last month.
First things first, though. The second installment of Brazil v Paraguay prepares a four-team qualifying contest, combined with a potential standings change across Europe in the coming month. Regardless of how things pan out, Chile's qualification for a second consecutive World Cup has undoubtedly established them as a clear triumphant example.
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