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While many fans in the UK concentrate on their clubs' early-season performances or debate upcoming fall test matches, the battle for 2027 Rugby World Cup qualifying rages on at full pace.

Chile's Historic Achievement

Chile secured their back-to-back appearance at the tournament with a stunning playoff victory against Samoa recently, leaving only a single remaining spot to be claimed for the host nation by 2027. Meanwhile, Paraguay stunned Brazil 39-19 in the opening match of their playoff.

The second leg takes place on Saturday in the Brazilian city, close to São Paulo, as Brazil's men's team attempts to follow their women's success and qualify for the first time.

Upcoming Qualifying Showdown

Whether Paraguay completes a surprise aggregate victory, or Brazil bounces back after head coach their coach's recent dismissal, the lineup for November's Dubai qualification tournament will then be finalized. Namibia, the Belgian squad, and Samoa have already secured their places for the Dubai-based competition from 8-18 November.

Global Qualification Developments

Many additional nations have likewise earned their places. Hong Kong China sealed maiden World Cup entry following beating Korea 70-22 in July, and Zimbabwe will make a comeback to rugby union's premier tournament for the first time since 1991 by virtue of claiming victory in the African championship.

Chile's Growing Reputation

The knock-on effect of Chile's playoff success means that Los Condores will play against Italy for the first occasion in November during the autumn internationals, replacing Samoa who must participate in Dubai.

World Rugby's chief executive called Chile an "exciting and rapidly rising force" in announcing the forthcoming match in Genoa. While domestic the sport markets aim for increased attendance, rugby in Chile is buoyant. A capacity crowd of more than twenty thousand saw the qualifying win in Viña del Mar, and head coach the national coach has led the team on an upward trajectory since his appointment in 2018.

Coach's Impressive Legacy

The fifty-year-old former Uruguayan prop has been influencing the game for decades: recruited by Bristol in the late 90s, he famously broke through England defense to touch down at the 2003 global tournament.

His influence as head coach has been equally significant: Chile have risen to 17th, their highest-ever ranking. At the last World Cup in Europe, they were beaten four times, conceding 215 points and scoring 27, featuring a 71-0 loss to England.

However, they proudly found the positives, and following the tournament draw in Sydney on 3 December, the coach can begin planning in earnest. They faced the Scottish team previously, defeated by a significant margin in front of 24,000 fans, and although they were beaten across both matches by Uruguay in the first qualifying round, they managed a narrow away victory in the Uruguayan capital.

The Samoan Qualifying Struggle

The Samoan team, in contrast, have not missed all Rugby World Cup since 1991, but are currently languishing in 16th place in the men's rankings. They were winless in this year's regional tournament, leading to playoff misery against Chile, and the requirement to face nations such as Belgium adds additional difficulty for the proud rugby nation.

Competition Structural Updates

Apart from specific teams' performances, it is worth noting how changed the expanded competition will look in the next edition. For the first time, there will be a round of 16 with six groups of four teams instead of four groups of five. Group phase risk is much lower because the top four third-placed teams will additionally advance.

Hosts and Rankings Consequences

The organizers, the Australian team, are now ranked seventh in the global rankings, meaning they would fall short on top seeding and might face one of the Springboks, New Zealand, Ireland, France, the English, or the Pumas in their group. They could rise into the top six during a packed autumn schedule, though: the English team, the Italian side, Ireland, and the French team are their fixtures, with a match against Japan in the capital also scheduled for 25 October.

Wales, on the other hand, are balanced in 12th, with Japan below, and the consequences of falling to 13th and into the third seeding group are possibly significant.

Americas Presence and Upcoming Tournaments

An additional new dimension for 2027 is the presence of five teams from the Americas: the Argentine team, the Uruguayan side, USA, Canada, and Chile – with either Paraguay or Brazil possibly becoming the sixth. From the governing body's viewpoint, American interest is beneficial, particularly with the 2031 World Cup scheduled to be hosted by the USA, and the host selection for the 2035 tournament was initiated recently.

Current Focus

First things first, however. The return match of Brazil versus Paraguay sets up a four-team Dubai shootout, combined with a potential rankings shake-up throughout Europe in November. Regardless of how things pan out, Chile's successful qualification for a second Rugby World Cup has undoubtedly established them as a resounding triumphant example.