[ad_1]
Australia’s home Rugby World Cup campaign will kick off against debutants Hong Kong China rather than bitter rivals New Zealand, who also feature in the same pool.
Chile return for a second World Cup to round out Pool A at next year’s hotly anticipated tournament, the first hosted in Australia since 2003.
It will be Australia’s first match against the South American nation.
“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,” Rugby Australia chief executive Phil Waugh said.
The Wallabies will be rated favourites alongside the All Blacks, second on the World Rugby rankings, to finish in the top two of Pool A and advance to the knockout stage.
Four of the six third-placed teams from the group stage will also progress.
Should Australia place second in their pool, they will face the Pool F runners-up — one of England, Wales, Tonga and Zimbabwe — for their first knockout clash.
Win their pool, and Australia would face the third-placed team from Pool C, E or F in the round of 16.
Perth will host Australia’s first pool match on October 1 next year, before the All Blacks clash in Sydney on October 9, then the match against Chile on October 16 in Brisbane.
2027 Rugby World Cup Pools
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
AAP
[ad_2]