Australia and New Zealand drawn into same group at 2027 Rugby World Cup

By Canadian Press on December 3, 2025.

SYDNEY (AP) — Host Australia and three-time champion New Zealand were drawn into the same group Wednesday for the expanded Rugby World Cup in 2027.

Australia was placed into Pool A from the second band of teams that were ranked from seventh to 12th.

No. 2-ranked New Zealand was the last team pulled out in the draw by World Rugby chairman Brett Robinson. They’ll be joined by Chile and Hong Kong in the group stage.

Defending champion South Africa was drawn into Pool B with Italy, Georgia and Romania.

England, winner of the last Rugby World Cup staged in Australia in 2003, was drawn into Pool F with Wales, Tonga and Zimbabwe.

The field was expanded to 24 teams for the 2027 tournament, which kicks off in Perth on Oct. 1 and culminates in a Nov. 13 final in Sydney.

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AP rugby: https://apnews.com/hub/rugby

The Associated Press