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While numerous fans in the UK focus on club early-season performances or debate forthcoming autumn internationals, 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 competition with a sensational playoff victory over Samoa last month, leaving one place left to be claimed for the host nation in two years. Meanwhile, Paraguay stunned Brazil 39-19 in the first leg of their playoff.

The second leg takes place on Saturday in Jacareí, close to São Paulo, while Brazil's squad aims to emulate their women's achievement and secure qualification for the first occasion.

Forthcoming Qualifying Showdown

Regardless of Paraguay completes a shock overall victory, or Brazil bounces back following head coach Emiliano Caffera's recent dismissal, the lineup for next month's qualifying event in Dubai will then be finalized. Namibia, Belgium, and the Samoan side have already secured their places for the Middle Eastern showdown from November 8th to 18th.

Global Qualification Updates

Many other nations have also earned their spots. Hong Kong China achieved first-time World Cup entry following beating Korea by a large margin in the summer, and Zimbabwe will make a comeback to the sport's premier tournament for the first occasion since 1991 after winning the Rugby Africa Cup.

Chile's Growing Reputation

The knock-on effect of Chile's playoff success means that Los Condores will face Italy for the first time next month during the fall test series, taking the place of Samoa who are obligated to participate in the Dubai tournament.

World Rugby's CEO described Chile an "exciting and rapidly rising power" in announcing the upcoming match in the Italian city. While local the sport markets seek increased attendance, Chilean rugby is buoyant. A sell-out audience of more than twenty thousand witnessed the playoff victory in Viña del Mar, and manager the national coach has led the team on an improving path since his appointment in 2018.

Coach's Impressive Career

The 50-year-old former Uruguayan forward has been making an impact for decades: signed by Bristol in the 1990s, he famously ran straight through the English defensive line to score at the 2003 global tournament.

His influence as national coach has been similarly significant: Chile have climbed to 17th, their highest-ever position. At the previous tournament in France, they were defeated four times, conceding 215 points and registering twenty-seven, including a 71-0 loss to England.

However, they confidently found the positive aspects, and following the tournament draw in Sydney on December 3rd, Lemoine can start preparations in earnest. They faced the Scottish team previously, losing 52-11 before 24,000 supporters, and while they were defeated across two legs by Uruguay in the initial 2027 playoff, they achieved a narrow win on the road in the Uruguayan capital.

The Samoan Qualification Challenge

The Samoan team, meanwhile, have participated in every Rugby World Cup since 1991, but are currently sitting in sixteenth place in the men's rankings. They were winless in the recent regional tournament, leading to playoff misery versus Chile, and the requirement to face nations such as Belgium adds additional difficulty for the rugby-loving country.

Tournament Format Changes

Beyond specific teams' fortunes, 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 rather than four groups of five. Pool-stage jeopardy is significantly reduced because the four best third-place sides will additionally qualify.

Hosts and Rankings Consequences

The organizers, the Australian team, are now placed seventh in the global rankings, which means they would fall short on top seeding and could face either the Springboks, New Zealand, the Irish, France, England, or Argentina in Pool A. They could climb into the highest seeds during a busy November, though: the English team, the Italian side, Ireland, and France are their fixtures, with a game versus the Japanese team in Tokyo also planned for October 25th.

Wales, meanwhile, are teetering in twelfth place, with Japan below, and the implications of dropping to thirteenth and into pot three are potentially severe.

American Representation and Future Events

Another fresh aspect for 2027 is the participation of five teams from the American continent: Argentina, Uruguay, USA, the Canadian team, and the Chilean squad – with Paraguay or Brazil possibly becoming the sixth. From the governing body's perspective, engagement from the Americas is beneficial, particularly with the 2031 tournament scheduled to be hosted by the USA, and the host selection for the 2035 tournament was initiated last month.

Current Priority

First things first, however. The return match of Brazil versus Paraguay prepares a four-team qualifying contest, along with a potential rankings shake-up across Europe in November. No matter how things pan out, Chile's qualification for a second consecutive World Cup has already made them as a resounding success story.