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4d ago

All Blacks Draw Hosts Australia as World Rugby Confirms 2027 Cup Pools

The Sydney draw introduced the first 24‑team format with a new Round of 16, laying out a tournament staged across seven Australian cities from October 1 to November 13, 2027.

The U.S. President-elect Donald Trump dances onstage as the Village People perform during a rally the day before he is scheduled to be inaugurated for a second term, in Washington, U.S., January 19, 2025. REUTERS/Brian Snyder
Rugby Union - 2027 Rugby World Cup draw - Channel Nine Studios, Sydney, Australia - December 3, 2025 Alicia Lucas draws a ball during the draw. Mark Kolbe/Pool via REUTERS
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Overview

  • Pool A pairs New Zealand with host nation Australia alongside Chile and debutants Hong Kong, setting up a trans-Tasman clash in the group stage.
  • Defending champions South Africa lead Pool B with Italy, Georgia and Romania after being drawn next-to-last.
  • Other notable groups include England facing Wales with Tonga and Zimbabwe in Pool F, Ireland meeting Scotland with Uruguay and Portugal in Pool D, France grouped with Japan, USA and Samoa in Pool E, and Argentina with Fiji, Spain and Canada in Pool C.
  • The event expands to 24 teams with six pools of four and a new Round of 16 that includes the four best third-placed finishers, a change organizers say will bring earlier knockout drama.
  • Play runs October 1 to November 13, 2027 with the final in Sydney, and the full match schedule is due February 3, 2026; if top seeds advance as expected, New Zealand and South Africa could meet in a quarter-final.