The Rugby World Cup draw held in Sydney on Wednesday revealed an exciting matchup, with host nation Australia set to face their traditional rivals, New Zealand, in the tournament scheduled for October 1, 2027. This encounter will take place in Pool A and marks a significant chapter in a fierce rivalry that has captivated rugby fans for decades.
Australia, currently ranked seventh in the world, is hosting the men’s tournament for the second time, having previously done so in 2003. The anticipation surrounding a potential opening match between the Wallabies and the All Blacks, known for their high-stakes clashes, promises to be a thrilling start to the global event. Alongside Australia and New Zealand, Pool A will also feature Chile, returning for their second World Cup after debuting in France in 2023, and first-time entrants Hong Kong.
England Faces Wales in Pool F Showdown
In another notable matchup, England has been drawn against their Six Nations rivals, Wales, in Pool F. This group also includes Tonga and Zimbabwe. England, who won the World Cup in Australia in 2003, will be looking to rekindle past successes against Wales, who famously defeated them in their home tournament a decade ago. That shocking loss was compounded by a subsequent defeat to Australia, leading to an early exit for the hosts.
The complete pool allocations for the tournament are as follows:
– **Pool A**: New Zealand, Australia, Chile, Hong Kong
– **Pool B**: South Africa, Italy, Georgia, Romania
– **Pool C**: Argentina, Fiji, Spain, Canada
– **Pool D**: Ireland, Scotland, Uruguay, Portugal
– **Pool E**: France, Japan, USA, Samoa
– **Pool F**: England, Wales, Tonga, Zimbabwe
Defending Champions South Africa Aim for Third Title
South Africa, the top-ranked team and champions of the last two tournaments, will compete in Pool B alongside Italy, Georgia, and Romania. Under the leadership of coach Rassie Erasmus, they are favoured to secure a third consecutive title in Australia.
The draw also sees Ireland and Scotland pitted against each other once again, a rematch of their 2023 encounter in Paris, where Ireland defeated Scotland 36-14, eliminating them at the pool stage. Pool D will be rounded out by Portugal, who made a significant impact in the previous tournament, and Uruguay.
The upcoming Rugby World Cup will feature a total of 52 matches, an increase from the 48 matches played in 2023, culminating in the final scheduled for November 13, 2027 in Sydney. Fans eagerly await the match schedule, which will be released on February 3, 2026.
As the excitement builds for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, the anticipation for the matches, especially the clash between Australia and New Zealand, continues to grow among rugby enthusiasts worldwide.
