The expanded 2027 males’s Rugby World Cup will function a spherical of 16 for the primary time, with the Wallabies to kick off the showpiece occasion in Perth.
A complete of 24 nations – up from the earlier 20 – will compete within the six-week event, which begins on October 1, 2027 and concludes on November 13.
There will probably be six swimming pools consisting of 4 groups every, with the highest two from every group plus the 4 greatest third-placed groups qualifying for the knockout part.
In earlier World Cups, the quarter-finals marked the beginning of the knockout part, however the expanded nature of 2027 means there’ll now be a last-16 part for the primary time.
SAINT-ETIENNE, FRANCE – OCTOBER 01: Gamers of Australia sing their nationwide anthem previous to the Rugby World Cup France 2023 match between Australia and Portugal at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard on October 01, 2023 in Saint-Etienne, France. (Picture by Julian Finney – World Rugby/World Rugby by way of Getty Photographs)
The event draw will probably be held on December 3, with all 24 nations to seek out out their pool opponents.
The Wallabies at the moment sit seventh within the rankings, and will probably be determined to rise into the highest six with a purpose to keep away from dealing with a heavyweight nation within the pool stage.
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World Rugby chair Brett Robinson mentioned increasing the World Cup to 24 groups was a “landmark second for our sport”.
“It means extra nations, extra matches, and extra alternatives for followers around the globe to attach with rugby,” Robinson mentioned.
“The introduction of a spherical of 16 will ship much more knockout rugby, guaranteeing each match counts and each workforce has the possibility to make historical past.
“Importantly, we’ve been in a position to obtain this inside a streamlined event window that protects participant welfare whereas enhancing the spectacle.
“This can be a large step ahead for rugby and a mirrored image of the sport’s world progress.”
Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Newcastle, Perth, Sydney and Townsville will all host World Cup video games.
Sydney will host each the semi-finals and the ultimate.
Perth’s Optus Stadium, with a capability of 60,000, will launch the World Cup, with the Wallabies’ opponent on the evening to be decided after the December 3 draw.
Chile grew to become the twenty third nation to lock in a spot after defeating Samoa 31-12 within the South America/Pacific play-off on Saturday.
The twenty fourth and final place will probably be decided on the Ultimate Qualification Event, which will probably be held in Dubai from November 8-18.
South Africa have gained the previous two World Cups, however their hopes of a three-peat are anticipated to obtain a stern check from the likes of New Zealand, Eire, England, France, Argentina and Australia.
The Wallabies have loved a resurgence beneath coach Joe Schmidt, however he’ll depart his function after Saturday’s conflict with the All Blacks in Perth.
Les Kiss has already been named as his alternative.
