Wallabies to Face Hong Kong in Opening 2027 Rugby World Cup Match
Australia's highly anticipated home Rugby World Cup campaign in 2027 will commence with a match against debutants Hong Kong, rather than their traditional rivals New Zealand, who are also drawn in the same competitive pool. The tournament, set to be the first hosted in Australia since 2003, will see Chile return for their second World Cup appearance, rounding out the challenging Pool A lineup.
Historic Fixtures and Tournament Structure
This upcoming encounter will mark the Wallabies' first-ever match against the South American nation of Chile, adding an element of novelty to the group stage. Rugby Australia chief executive Phil Waugh expressed his enthusiasm, stating, "It's incredibly exciting to have the schedule locked in for the Wallabies' pool fixtures, ahead of what's going to be a truly special tournament here in Australia next year."
The Wallabies are widely regarded as favourites alongside the All Blacks, who currently hold the second position on the World Rugby rankings. Both teams are expected to finish in the top two of Pool A to secure advancement to the knockout stages. Notably, the tournament format allows for four of the six third-placed teams from the group stage to also progress, increasing the stakes for every match.
Knockout Stage Scenarios and Venue Details
Should Australia finish second in their pool, they will face the runners-up from Pool F, which includes England, Wales, Tonga, and Zimbabwe, in their initial knockout clash. Conversely, if the Wallabies win their pool, they would meet the third-placed team from Pool C, E, or F in the round of 16, offering a potentially more favourable path.
The schedule for Australia's pool matches has been confirmed, with Perth hosting the opening game against Hong Kong on October 1 next year. This will be followed by a highly anticipated clash against the All Blacks in Sydney on October 9, and concluding with the match against Chile in Brisbane on October 16.
Complete Pool Draw for the 2027 Rugby World Cup
The full 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
This draw sets the stage for a thrilling and unpredictable tournament, with Australia aiming to leverage their home advantage for a successful campaign.
