Latest news with #RWC2027
The South African
3 days ago
- Sport
- The South African
World Rugby: Springboks' No 1 ranking under threat
World Rugby has published the ranking permutations for opening round of the Rugby Championship 2025 this weekend, and the Springboks – and their fans – will need to be on high alert. After remaining firmly ensconced at the top of the rankings this year, the Springboks will be fully aware that some close rivals are snapping at their heels. Permutations: ADVERTISEMENT South Africa's number one ranking is at threat if they do not beat Australia in The Rugby Championship 2025 opener in Johannesburg. A draw will mean that New Zealand have to beat Argentina later in the day to return to the summit for the first time since November 2021. Defeat for the Springboks will mean New Zealand only need a draw in Cordoba to leapfrog the Springboks. Ireland, in third, are not in action this weekend but can still benefit from the opening round of The Rugby Championship action if there are upsets. They could jump back to number one, albeit only if both South Africa and New Zealand lose by more than 15 points. If only one of these were to happen, Ireland will still climb a place to second above that beaten side. South Africa, though, will retain top spot if they beat Australia, despite the fact the world champions are unable to improve their rating due to the 10.70 points difference between the teams before home weighting is factored in. This is because New Zealand can only gain a maximum of 0.45 rating points for beating lower-ranked Argentina away and they currently trail South Africa by 0.72 points. Argentina will oust Australia from sixth place – which would be enough for a Band 1 place come the RWC 2027 draw in December – if Australia are beaten and they avoid defeat against New Zealand. A draw for Australia away to the world champions would have the same impact if Los Pumas are victorious over New Zealand for the first time on home soil. This scenario can also happen if Australia end their 14-year barren spell on South Africa soil, providing the Wallabies winning margin is less than 15 points and Argentina's is more than 15 points. Argentina cannot fall any lower than seventh this weekend even with a heavy loss to New Zealand, although only just as this would leave them only 0.04 rating points above Scotland in eighth. WORLD RANKINGS AS IT STANDS FOR THE SPRINGBOKS 1. South Africa 92.78 2. New Zealand 92.06 3. Ireland 89.83 4. France 87.82 5. England 87.64 6. Australia 82.08 7. Argentina 82.05 8. Scotland 81.57 9. Fiji 80.50 10. Italy 77.77 Do you think there is any reason for the Boks to be worried? Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
RNZ News
5 days ago
- Sport
- RNZ News
PNC 2025: Rugby World Cup spots will raise intensity, Flying Fijians coach says
Manu Samoa team training in Apia for their Pacific Nations Cup opener against Tonga in Nuku'alofa on 23 August 2025. Photo: Lakapi Samoa Flying Fijians head coach Mick Byrne is expecting a tougher Pacific Nations Cup (PNC) series this year, with the event doubling as a qualifier for the 2027 Rugby World Cup (RWC). The Fijians will defend their PNC title against Tonga and Samoa in the round-robin Pacific zone matches, before travelling to the United States to compete in the play-offs against the Eagles, Canada and Japan. While Fiji and Japan are already confirmed for the 2027 RWC in Australia, the other four teams will be competing for the three Oceania spots available during the PNC. Byrne said that will add a lot more excitement to the competition, which kicks off on 23 August. "It's added another dimension to the PNC. We know that Moana Pasifika have had a great Super Rugby season, and there will be a number of their players that will have benefited from another season of Super Rugby when they move into the Tonga and Samoa teams during during our round-robin games. "It just means that what we expect from our Pacific Island neighbours around physicality is going to be there, and we know that they'll be desperate for their victories, and it's going to make for some really entertaining rugby. "With [RWC] qualifying spots on the line, it means everybody's going to be at their best and we just got to be ready for that." Mick Byrne is focused on the game ahead as he prepares the Flying Fijians for this Sunday's Test match against the Wallabies. Photo: Fiji Rugby Samoa and Tonga will kick off the Pacific zone meet on on 23 August in Nuku'alofa, while in the Asia zone, Canada and USA will tussle on the same day in Calgary. Fiji gets into action on 30 August in Suva against Tonga, with Japan and Canada tussling in Sendai in round two. The third round will see Fiji taking on Manu Samoa in Rotorua on 6 September, while USA and Japan will clash in California on 7 September in the final round-robin game. The winner of the Pacific pool will get to meet the runner-up from the Asia pool, while the winner of the Asia pool will take on the runner-up in the Pacific pool in the semi-finals, scheduled for 15 September. The two bottom teams from each zone will meet for fifth and sixth place. With Fiji and Japan out of the World Cup qualification equation, it means the top three placed teams from Canada, Samoa, Tonga and USA will get to fly to Australia. Manu Samoa team training in Apia for their Pacific Nations Cup opener against Tonga in Nuku'alofa on 23 August 2025. Photo: Lakapi Samoa With a number of their players unavailable with club commitments in New Zealand, France and Japan, all three Pasifika teams have opted for some fresh faces. Both Manu Samoa head coach Lemalu Tusiata Pisi and the 'Ikale Tahi mentor Tevita Tuifua have shown their concerns with the unavailability of some key players. But both agreed it was an opportune time to give new players the chance to play for their national teams. Pisi, who saw his team take on Scotland in early July, said the current set of players had raised their hands to represent Samoa, and his focus was on them, rather than on those who have made themselves unavailable. He said after their loss to Scotland in Auckland, the team will only get better, adding he was happy with the potential he saw. Pisi said they were better off and would only get better moving forward, with their next game being their first PNC clash against Tonga at Nuku'alofa on 23 August. Manu Samoa team training in Apia for their Pacific Nations Cup opener against Tonga in Nuku'alofa on 23 August 2025. Photo: Lakapi Samoa "Look, we had eight days to prepare and, obviously, there's probably habits in our game from lack of playing time that we didn't get to execute today," he said. "At the end of the day, it's a starting point for us moving forward to the qualifiers. "I'm really proud of the effort from the boys, but I'm sure they know too that those little habits in our game, in their game and our game, we just can't have those lapses in international rugby." Tonga's Tuifua said it was the same with them, but it was great opportunity to continue building their player depth. "The players have families also to look after and we don't want to force them into coming to play," he said. "We are happy with the players we have and look forward to the PNC, which is very important for us as it will be also be the qualifier for the world cup." Tonga take on Queensland Reds in a warm-up game at Teufaiva Stadium this weekend. Byrne agrees said the Fijian squad selection has been made with an eye on the RWC. "The PNC gives us a great opportunity to, you know, to work with our with our depth moving forward," Byrne said. "We've got a lot of good players that miss out in July and, you know, with the situation with some of our Northern Hemisphere players changing and starting at new clubs, and we respect the relationships that they have, and then they're building their relationships with new clubs. "It's an opportunity for us to bring in some younger players and bring them in and build our depth towards the World Cup in 2027." But all three teams also have some experienced hands in their mix. Samoa has captain Theo MacFarland, Michae Alaalatoa, Samuela Slade, Taleni Seu, Meilani Matavao, Duncan Paia'aua, Henry Taefu and Alai D'angelo Leuila as some of the experienced hands in the squad. Big Ben Tameifuna, Charles Piutau, Siegfried Fisi'ihoi, Lotu Anisi, Taniela Filimone, William Havili and Lotu Inisi add some leadership and experience to the 'Ikale Tahi camp. 'Ikale Tahi's Charles Piutau will be one of the experienced heads in the team. Photo: Lakapi Samoa 'Ikale Tahi player Ben Tameifuna. Photo: Tonga Rugby Union Fiji has former All Black Seta Tamanivalu, Semi Radradra, Viliame Mata and captain Tevita Ikanivere. "They'll be great experience for our squad, and they'll be good examples of for some of our younger players," Byrne said of his experienced hands. "They will be helping players with some decision making on the field and through our training sessions, just working with players and helping them understand the work that's needed." Both Samoa and Tonga have been in camp as they build-up to their PNC opener. The Fijians will get together in Suva at the weekend and begin their camp then. "The squad will come in on Saturday," Byrne said. "The first weekend of the PNC is our bye weekend, and we're going to make use of that week to have a great training week with no game at the end, where we can really work on our systems." Fiji's Jiuta Wainiqolo (L) runs the ball towards the try line during the rugby Test match between Fiji and Scotland at HFC Bank Stadium in Suva on July 12, 2025. Photo: AFP / Josua Buredua Byrne said one of the disadvantages for the Pacific island teams is the fact that majority of their top players are playing club rugby outside of thir countries. Fiji, for example, has players playing in 11 different competitions around the globe. Samoa and Tonga have a similar set-up as well. While this helps players develop and brings income to players and their families, the challenge for the island unions is bringing the players together when needed, with some missing out because of club commitments. "One of the challenges that we have, is a lot of our good players are playing overseas," he stated. "New Zealand, Australia, England, Scotland and France have all their players who are local players. South Africa have got a lot of players overseas, but they play in the Rugby Championship and get their players released." Byrne said the PNC is also within the approved World Cup international windows, which means players needed for national duties should be released by their respective clubs, as per World Rugby's 'Regulation 9' Law. World Rugby Regulation 9 addresses player release for international duty, ensuring national unions have the right to select players for their national representative teams. It also outlines the conditions under which a player must be released by their club or other rugby body to represent their country, including preparation periods and training sessions. "We're in the same window as the rugby championship, so it's a recognized World Rugby window," Byrne said. But he adds he and the Flying Fijians management are also conscious of the fact that players are forging relationships with overseas clubs. "I haven't called on any 'Regulation 9' situations at this stage, but obviously, if we get to a point where we need our players then we'll call on it, but I'm really respectful of looking at the relationship between the player and the club and the player and us," he added. On the same token, Byrne said he was also happy to see alot of the local players now involved with club rugby in Australia and New Zealand. He said there's not a lot of rugby when Super Rugby finishes, and seeing players from Fiji, Samoa and Tonga involved in the Australian and New Zealand competitions was positive. "If the players are developing their game in either Australia or New Zealand, that's good and and then with the Flying Fijians coming up, now, we call on players who have been playing rugby, so it's a good thing for us as well. "But the big the big winners are our players and they are getting exposed to another level of rugby and playing more footy. And some of our Drua players that may not have got a lot of rugby during the Super season get a little bit more rugby." A number of Fiji, Samoa and Tonga internationals currently play in the National Provincial Championship (NPC) in New Zealand, while others are playing in the New South Wales Shute Shield and Queensland Hospital Cup competitions.
Irish Times
29-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Times
‘Bigger, bolder, more accessible': Tickets schedule for Rugby World Cup 2027 announced
Some of the great and the good in World Rugby and Australian rugby gathered in the Museum of Contemporary Art on the Rocks in Sydney , with its panoramic view of the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House on supposedly the last sunny day of the week here, to unveil the ticketing programme for the Men's Rugby World Cup 2027. More than 2.5 million tickets will be released in phases starting with a presale in February 2026 for fans who register before the end of January 2026, with further tickets sold via an application phase in May 2026. The tournament schedule will be confirmed next January and following the draw for the expanded 24-team tournament in early December, although expressions of interest for tickets can be registered from this Wednesday onwards. The World Rugby chairman, former Wallaby player Brett Robinson, said that RWC 2027 would be 'the biggest and most accessible' tournament in history. READ MORE To that end, one million tickets will be available for under 100 Australian dollars, or €56, and will start at 40 Australian dollars, or to €22.50 for adults, with children's tickets available from just 20 Australian dollars. Tickets will be released in phases starting with a presale in February 2026 for fans who register before the end of January 2026, with further tickets sold via an application phase in May 2026. However, those with deeper pockets can also purchase new 'Superfan Pass offers', guaranteed access to buy up to four tickets for any of the 52 matches. There will be 2,027 passes, which will on sale from August 5th. There will also be 'Premium Experience packages' for selected matches on sale from July 30th, and ticket-inclusive travel packages from January 2026. The tournament, to be held from October 1st to November 13th, 2027, will be hosted by seven cities: Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Brisbane, Newcastle and Townsville, with the final being held in Sydney. Robinson said: 'This ticketing programme has been designed with one simple principle: put the fans first. For the first time in over two decades, Men's Rugby World Cup returns to Australian shores, and we're determined to make it bigger, bolder, and more accessible than ever before.' Asked if the organisers had missed a trick in not having the final at the MCG, World Rugby CEO Alan Gilpin said: 'The amazing thing here is it's such a competitive environment between states and cities for sports content. 'Sydney put their best foot forward, and were an amazing host of the semi-finals and final in 2003. I had the privilege of being here then. They will be again in 2027. What we saw on Saturday is that rugby can make some noise in Melbourne as well. We're looking forward to Melbourne being part of that tournament. There's a stadium in Perth that wasn't there in 2003 – that's amazing. 'The venue landscape is really exceptional. We're excited to get access to those great venues.' There will be six groups of four, and 36 pool matches to whittle the teams down from 24 to 16, and all matches in this calendar year will contribute the seeding for the draw. In other words Ireland need to stay in the top six to ensure a top tier seeding. All but six of the 24 places in the final have been filled, with Hong Kong China, Zimbabwe and Spain the most recent qualifiers, and Gilpin could scarcely conceal his hopes that Spain, who are bidding for the 2035 tournament, might one day host a World Cup. 'They are a fantastic market for any sport. I was there recently and they are good at obviously football, basketball, handball, golf, tennis, athletics. The Spanish sporting ecosystem invests in sport as a whole; they have got an incredibly supportive government, they have got a great relationship with La Liga as the entity that has got the access to the venues for them. They are going to host a Fifa World Cup in 2030, they have poured in more investment into what is already a great sports infrastructure so they are a really exciting prospect for rugby, not just for future Rugby World Cups.' Nor did Gilpin bridle at the threat which the proposed R360 might pose to the World Cup. 'I think it's hard to say. We need to have a dialogue with those guys when they are ready to do that. Rugby needs investment. Rugby is, and Australia is, a great example, in a really competitive environment. Around the world, every sport and beyond sport is competing in an ever more difficult attention economy. Investment into the game is great – as long as that investment is driving into the right areas and creating a more financially sustainable game for players, for the wider ecosystem, then we encourage it. We've got to understand what that means in the R360 case.' Key dates in RWC 27 ticketing July 29th, 2025 – Fans can register to access the presale (until end of January 2026) July 30th, 2025 – RWC Experience packages on sale for eight matches August 5th, 2025 – Superfan Passes on sale December 2025 – RWC 2027 draw January 2026 – Match schedule announcement February 2026 – Tickets presale May 2026 – Tickets application phase
Irish Daily Mirror
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Lions Squad Selection: the centre and the midfield in focus
The 2025 Lions squad to tour Australia this summer will be announced today, bringing an end to months of speculation, intrigue and, for the players, anxiety. Here, Sports Journalist of the Year DEREK FOLEY takes a look at the contenders for the back-three slots, the obvious picks, the reasons why some players have gained an edge, and those calls that are closest of all. CENTRES: Sure looked like the IRFU were thinking of moving Bundee Aki on at one point earlier this season but the 35 year-old responded in such fashion that he is a 'live' Lions contender and don't rule him out being with Ireland at RWC 2027 either. Sione Tuitulotu had been playing so well and, as skipper, been so central to Scotland's surge up the World Rankings there wasn't just talk of his touring but being Tour Captain until injuring his pectoral muscle training with Glasgow in late January. The centre is back training with Warriors and is expected to play before the end of the season. Scotland's Huw Jones has been equally impressive in the international midfield which means that if the Lions are taking the expected four centres, Robbie Henshaw and Garry Ringrose are battling it out for the last spot. Henshaw can play no12 and no13 and toured with both the 2017 and 2021 Lions. Ringrose has played 180 of his 186 starting senior rugby games as a no13 - moreover five of the games he played on the wing were in 2015, his 2-6th Leinster caps - so quite where the idea originated that he was an auxiliary winger is hard to fathom. Sad to say, Warren Gatland was not a fan of Ringrose's missed tackle statistics and, consequently, never saw fit to include him. That makes Ringrose, along with Scotland's Tom Jordan and Owen Farrell likely to miss out here. What are they saying: "The pool of centres selected will largely dictate how the backline functions – especially with regards to Sione Tuipulotu," says World Rugby Magazine. "If he is fit, which this column assumes he will be, then the Lions will have access to a true triple threat option at 12. Tuipulotu has a kick/pass/run skill set that very few in world rugby possess. "With Tuipulotu as the 'drill', Farrell would then just have to select the appropriate 'drill bit' at no13 – does he go 'hammer' with Bundee Aki, or something more suitable for tiles and glass – Huw Jones for example. "The outlier in this selection is of course Tom Jordan. But Jordan offers the opportunity to play a legit ten at no12, should needs be and also provides mid-week cover at outside half." ONE F says: Aki (Ire), Tuipulotu (Scot), H Jones (Scot), Henshaw (Ire) Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email .
The Guardian
30-01-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
Sydney to host 2027 Rugby World Cup final as Melbourne settles for last-16 games
The eyes of the rugby world will again fall on Sydney after it was chosen to host the 2027 Men's Rugby World Cup final, 24 years after the Wallabies' heartbreaking defeat to England at the city's Olympic Stadium. Accor Stadium at Homebush, with a capacity of 82,000, will again host the decider as well as the semi-finals, the third-place playoff and two quarter-finals at the 11th edition of the global showpiece, which will take place in Australia for the first time since 2003. New South Wales is the biggest winner after a total of seven host cities were revealed by World Rugby and Rugby Australia on Thursday, with other matches in the state to be played at Sydney's ANZ Stadium and McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle. Brisbane, the country's other hotbed of rugby union, will host 10 matches but missed out on the blue riband games due to Suncorp Stadium's relatively limited capacity of 52,000. The old Lang Park venue will instead host two quarter-finals as part of its 10 total matches. Newcastle and Townsville have been awarded four pool matches each and Adelaide five, but any hopes of a final played in front of 100,000 fans at the MCG were dashed, despite an initial push by the Victorian government for the centrepiece game to be played at Melbourne's famous old ground. The Victorian capital has instead been handed seven pool matches and two last-16 clashes as part of a last-minute deal with World Rugby that sees the city host a total of nine matches. The opening match of the tournament, featuring the Wallabies, will be played at Perth's Optus Stadium. The full draw for the expanded 24-team tournament will be held at the end of this year. 'The selection of these incredible host cities reflects our commitment to bring Rugby World Cup to as many Australians as possible and maximise the tournament's positive impact and sporting legacy in all host communities,' World Rugby chair Brett Robinson said. Rugby Australia chief executive Phil Waugh said the nation has a 'rich history' of hosting major tournaments, having co-hosted the first Rugby World Cup almost 40 years ago. 'A Men's Rugby World Cup presents a unique opportunity for our country,' he said. 'From the positive economic impacts, to the energising of the fan base, to the inspiration provided to the next generation of players, RWC 2027 will leave a legacy that will be felt in Australia for many years to come.' Sign up to The Breakdown The latest rugby union news and analysis, plus all the week's action reviewed after newsletter promotion The 2003 World Cup on Australian soil was a huge success on and off the field, with the Wallabies reaching the final only to be beaten by England in dramatic circumstances, as Jonny Wilkinson's field goal 26 seconds from the end of extra-time broke Australian hearts. Incumbent Wallabies captain Harry Wilson said it was difficult to put into words how significant a Rugby World Cup on home soil is. 'I have vivid memories of being a young boy, living in country New South Wales with my family when Australia last held the tournament in 2003 and what that buzz was like for the local community,' he said. 'As players, Rugby World Cup is certainly in the back of our minds, and we know the whole country will be right behind us in a little over two years' time.' The Wallabies last won the tournament in 1999 and will be hoping to reverse their recent fortunes in 2027 – under Eddie Jones they failed to get out of the group stage at the 2023 tournament in France for the first time in their history.
