Updates on
#RWC2027
qualifying
Qualifiers played ๐: 1๏ธโฃ7๏ธโฃ
Teams qualified ๐: 0๏ธโฃ/1๏ธโฃ2๏ธโฃ
Teams eliminated โ: 4๏ธโฃ or 5๏ธโฃ ๐ค
WR publish
#RWC2027
qualifying process
Facts
- Regions voted (5-1) against this format in early 2024
- ๐จ๐ฆ Donโt have to win even one game to make FQT
- Despite 2 RWC qualifiers (๐บ๐พ+๐จ๐ฑ) in 2023 SA only given 1 direct spot
- Europe system biased to ๐ฌ๐ช๐ต๐น๐ช๐ธ๐ท๐ด (I will explain tmrw)
32 Team RWC idea๐
Wonโt happen for decades, but this should be WRโs end goal
Expansion to 28 teams realistic for 2039/43 if complex format can be overlooked
A ๐ฎ๐ช ๐ฌ๐ช ๐ญ๐ฐ ๐ฟ๐ผ
B ๐ฆ๐ท ๐น๐ด ๐บ๐พ ๐ฉ๐ฟ
C ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ ๐ผ๐ธ ๐ท๐ด ๐ง๐ช
D ๐ฎ๐น ๐ซ๐ฏ ๐ช๐ธ ๐ณ๐ฑ
E ๐ฟ๐ฆ ๐ฏ๐ต ๐บ๐ธ ๐ฉ๐ช
F ๐ณ๐ฟ ๐ฆ๐บ ๐ท๐บ ๐ณ๐ฆ
G ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ ๐ต๐น ๐จ๐ฆ ๐ง๐ท
H ๐ซ๐ท ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ท๓ ฌ๓ ณ๓ ฟ ๐จ๐ฑ ๐ฐ๐ท
RAC 2024 Results ๐
All favourites won (despite late ๐บ๐ฌ comeback v ๐ฟ๐ผ)
๐ณ๐ฆ 38 - 5 ๐ง๐ซ
๐ฐ๐ช 36 - 17 ๐ธ๐ณ
๐จ๐ฎ 12 - 32 ๐ฉ๐ฟ
๐บ๐ฌ 20 - 22 ๐ฟ๐ผ
๐ณ๐ฆ๐ฟ๐ผ๐ฐ๐ช๐ฉ๐ฟ Qualify for RAC 2025, and now fight for seeding
Elimination Semis for July 24th
(Count as
#RWC2027
qualifiers)
๐จ๐ฎ v ๐ธ๐ณ 10am
๐บ๐ฌ v ๐ง๐ซ 12pm
#RWC2027
Qualifying announced ๐
Absolute joke. South America deserved 2 direct spots
World Rugby rigged the system to give ๐จ๐ฆ 3 chances at qualification ๐คก
Last in the PNC, should not be sent to a playoff, but into the FQT
๐จ๐ฆ Can make FQT without winning a single game ๐คฆโโ๏ธ
Key Summer tests โฌ๏ธ
๐บ๐ธ v ๐ท๐ด 5/7
๐จ๐ฑ v ๐ญ๐ฐ ๐จ๐ฆ v ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ 6/7
๐บ๐พ v ๐ซ๐ท 10/7
๐บ๐ธ v ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ ๐จ๐ฆ v ๐ท๐ด 12/7
๐ผ๐ธ v ๐ช๐ธ ๐ณ๐ฆ v ๐ต๐น ๐จ๐ฑ v ๐ง๐ช ๐ต๐พ v ๐ญ๐ฐ 13/7
๐น๐ด v ๐ช๐ธ 19/7
๐ฟ๐ฆ v ๐ต๐น ๐บ๐พ v ๐ฆ๐ท ๐ง๐ท v ๐ญ๐ฐ ๐จ๐ฑ v ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ ๐ต๐พ v ๐ง๐ช 20/7
๐บ๐พ v ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ ๐ง๐ท v ๐ง๐ช 27/7
Games are crucial for showing regional standards
Non capped tests ignored
Playing numbers ๐
44 Teams will try qualify for
#RWC2027
Player pool sizes do little to help national sides ability
However, This shows where rugby can potentially grow
Data from 2018-2021 ๐๏ธ (likely quite inaccurate, gives rough idea)
๐จOnly includes registered players ๐จ
๐ง๐ท 25 - 26 ๐ญ๐ฐ
Forget who deserved to win (๐ง๐ท in my opinion)
๐ง๐ทโs Progress under Caferra (not full strength team) is huge.
Large crowd nice to see. Rugby has potential in ๐ง๐ท
Shame WR shaft SA in
#RWC2027
qualifying
0๏ธโฃ Effort from WR to promote
#RWC2027
qualifiers (so far)
I knew this would happen. Itโs why my account was created
My page has reached 42.2k. WR can beat that in 3-5 tweets
Itโs stupid. Prevents the growth of their game. Promote qualifiers for the 3rd biggest sports event!
@SquidgeRugby
*44 (Still disgracefully low)
Whoโd guess shutting out North America and Oceania would decrease numbers?!?!
Once again World Rugby restrict their games growth
2025 ARC confirmed โ
1. ๐ญ๐ฐ (24)
2. ๐ฆ๐ช (52)
3. ๐ฐ๐ท (33)
4. ๐ฑ๐ฐ โฌ๏ธ (41)
๐ฒ๐พ Relegated
1st Qualifies for
#RWC2027
, 2nd reaches AS2 v AF2 for FQT
Despite losing 67-7 v ๐ญ๐ฐ, ๐ฐ๐ท shouldnโt be ignored (2025 recruitment process)
๐ฆ๐ช Currently sit at AS2, but squad will remain similar
๐ณ๐ฑ + ๐ง๐ท Secure big fixtures ๐ณ
๐ง๐ท v ๐ฆ๐ท (B) Date TBC (Sep/Oct)
๐ณ๐ฑ v ๐จ๐ฆ 9/11
๐ณ๐ฑ v ๐จ๐ฑ 16/11
๐ง๐ท Also play ๐จ๐ฑ in qualifiers
๐ง๐ท/๐ณ๐ฑ Show clear ambition to make
#RWC2027
๐ง๐ท Recently rarely play ๐ฆ๐ท (B), can close gap on ๐จ๐ฑ with this game
๐ณ๐ฑ Can see (likely) FQT rival ๐จ๐ฆโs strength
@T2Rugby
WR will see tonightโs results and still refuse to give SA a 2nd direct spot
(๐ง๐ท 47 - 25 ๐ง๐ช + ๐บ๐พ 19 - 31 ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ)
Itโs beyond crazy at this point
@SquidgeRugby
Meanwhile ๐จ๐ฆ are given 3 chances to make
#RWC2027
WR fuck over Central + South America for a few extra quid
I hate lots about football, but their inclusive WC qualifying system avoids this favouritism. Rugby needs to learn.
2024 RAC R1 (July 20th) ๐
10am ๐ณ๐ฆ (23) v ๐ง๐ซ (92)
12pm ๐ฐ๐ช (34) v ๐ธ๐ณ (61)
2pm ๐จ๐ฎ (47) v ๐ฉ๐ฟ (69)
4pm ๐บ๐ฌ (36) v ๐ฟ๐ผ (30)
All KO times are local ๐จ
4 Winners โก๏ธ RAC 2025
Losers start elimination battle on July 24th
RAC has 12 games (all impact 2025 seeding)
7
#RWC2027
Qualifiers
๐ง๐ท v ๐ต๐พ
#RWC2027
Will be streamed live on Nsports YouTube
Live SA qualifiers not available last cycle, so huge step forward
Confirmed qualifier dates โฌ๏ธ
28/9 ๐ต๐พ v ๐จ๐ฑ
5/10 ๐จ๐ฑ v ๐ง๐ท
Top 2 finish โก๏ธ final stage of SA qualifying (Closer than ๐ง๐ท + ๐ต๐พ have been to a RWC)
Summer test news โฌ๏ธ
๐ง๐ท v ๐ญ๐ฐ Will be streamed on Nsportโs YouTube
Local KO time is 3:30pm
๐ง๐ท See games v ๐ญ๐ฐ/๐ง๐ช as preparation for August
#RWC2027
qualifier v ๐ต๐พ
Annoying but logical (Caffera new ๐ง๐ท coach so needs to trial tactics/players). Will still learn ๐ง๐ท/๐ญ๐ฐs rough level.
๐ต๐พ 12-80 ๐ญ๐ฐ
Lots of people hype ๐ต๐พ up to reach
#RWC2027
. Think again
๐ต๐พ Also lost 41-22 to ๐ง๐ท at home last year, so this stupid idea shouldโve been dead in 2023
This wasnโt even ๐ญ๐ฐโs best side
๐ง๐ท (real SA underdogs) deserve 10x ๐ต๐พโs attention, + will be a tougher test for ๐ญ๐ฐ
10 Potential new
#RWC2027
qualifiers (rank = likelihood order) โฌ๏ธ
1. ๐ญ๐ฐ (24) AS
2. ๐ณ๐ฑ (27) EU
3. ๐ฉ๐ฟ (69) AF
4. ๐ฐ๐ท (33) AS
5. ๐ง๐ท (29) SA
6. ๐ต๐พ (38) SA
7. ๐ฉ๐ช (31) EU
8. ๐ง๐ช (28) EU
9. ๐ฐ๐ช (34) AF
10. ๐บ๐ฌ (36) AF
Rank dependant on qualifying process NOT just ability โ๏ธ
Rumoured SA qualifier dates ๐
17/18 August ๐ง๐ท v ๐ต๐พ
21/22 September ๐ต๐พ v ๐จ๐ฑ
5/6 October ๐จ๐ฑ v ๐ง๐ท
Top 2 โก๏ธ final stage
3rd โก๏ธ Final stage playoff
Rankings
๐จ๐ฑ 22
๐ง๐ท 29
๐ต๐พ 41
๐ง๐ท Have secured overseas pros (Rocha, Rebolo, Moreno, Duque)
๐ต๐พ Donโt have this luxury
#RWC2027
Personal update ๐ค
Unfortunately I have army training soon (19-25th June)
Internet is not available (I will miss ๐ญ๐ฐ v ๐ฐ๐ท and ๐ฒ๐พ v ๐ฆ๐ช)
Games likely meaningless, but will give updates when I return
Meanwhile, maybe WR will update you on
#RWC2027
qualifiers (no chance ๐)
๐บ๐ฌ v ๐ฟ๐ผ Preview
#RWC2027
#RAC2024
Big chance of ๐บ๐ฌ (36) upset win at home
๐ฟ๐ผ (30) Played ๐ฟ๐ฒ (67) twice this year winning 32-29 (H) and 22-17 (A)
For context, ๐บ๐ฌ beat ๐ฟ๐ฒ 30-8 (H) in 2023
A win gives ๐บ๐ฌ top 4 seeding for 2025 (year AF1 is decided), meaning favourable QF at home
African
#RWC2027
qualifying confirmed โ
Good news: 16 Nations are involved ๐คฉ
Bad news: Format is WAY to complex to explain in a tweet ๐ญ
Photos below contain full competition details โฌ๏ธ
RAC quarter finals have been announced ๐ฅณ
#RWC2027
All played July 20th
QF1 ๐ณ๐ฆ (22) v ๐ง๐ซ (92)
QF2 ๐ฐ๐ช (34) v ๐ธ๐ณ (61)
QF3 ๐จ๐ฎ (46) v ๐ฉ๐ฟ (69)
QF4 ๐บ๐ฌ (36 v ๐ฟ๐ผ (31)
๐บ๐ฌ At home v a declining ๐ฟ๐ผ has upset potential, ๐ธ๐ณ have slight chance v ๐ฐ๐ช (other 2 QFs are formalities)
Thoughts ๐
๐จ๐ฆ 12-73 ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ (B team)
Why has WR given ๐จ๐ฆ 3 chances to make
#RWC2027
โ๏ธ
Itโs such a waste. ๐จ๐ฑ Can be SA2 then AS1 plays EU5 for qualification (reward EU difficulty)
(๐จ๐ฑ 22-17 ๐ญ๐ฐ Shows Asia not quite worthy of direct spot)
๐จ๐ฆ Go to FQT NOT game v ๐จ๐ฑ (likely reached with 0 wins)
#RWC2027
Qualifying update ๐
A playoff will likely decide the final 2025 ARC side (๐ฑ๐ฐ v ๐ฒ๐พ)
Expected date: JAN 2025
Promo/relegation battles create huge interest. Over 100K views would not surprise me
๐ฑ๐ฐ Will be fuming. AR led them to believe auto promotion was gained in May
๐บ๐ธ 20-22 ๐ท๐ด
#RWC2027
Europeโs 4 spots justified by ๐ท๐ด shock win
Still think PN3 should be a RWC spot (๐ท๐ด and ๐บ๐ธ same standard)
๐จ๐ฆ Should to go straight to FQT like EU5
Shows EU5 has equally tough qualifying opponents as ๐จ๐ฆโs in PNC
Result means SA2 should be direct spot โ
SA
#RWC2027
qualifying path ๐
R1: ๐จ๐ด v ๐จ๐ท + ๐ป๐ช v ๐ต๐ช Winners โก๏ธ final โก๏ธ winner โก๏ธ PO
2nd-4th โ
R2: ๐จ๐ฑ๐ง๐ท๐ต๐พ Play each other once top 2 โก๏ธ R3
3rd to PO
PO: R1 winner v 3rd in R2
winner โก๏ธ R3
Loser โ
R3: ๐บ๐พ +3 Format TBC
1st: RWC
2nd: PO (likely ๐จ๐ฆ)
3rd: FQT ๐
4th: โ
๐ง๐ท v ๐ต๐พ Preview
#RWC2027
Scrum ๐ง๐ทโs typical strength
Yet v ๐ญ๐ฐ + ๐ง๐ช ๐ง๐ท didnโt start (in my view) best possible front row
Could the Rebolo (plays in ๐บ๐ธ) Willian and Rocha (plays in ๐ต๐น) combo be used on Sunday?!
William bagged 4 trys in SRA
This front 3 could devastate ๐ต๐พ
@T2Rugby
African qualifying is facing huge changes
Whilst ๐ณ๐ฆ + ๐ฐ๐ช not at full strength, ๐ฉ๐ฟ/๐ฟ๐ผ have improved massively and proved to be real Africa 1 contenders for 2025 (2024 results will be rewarded with good seeding for next year)
2๏ธโฃ Asian
#RWC2027
qualifiers this week
8/6/24 ๐ฒ๐พ(50) v ๐ญ๐ฐ (24) 2pm
9/6/24 ๐ฆ๐ช (60) v ๐ฐ๐ท (30) 7:30pm
KO times local โฐ
๐ญ๐ฐ + ๐ฐ๐ท Win (expected) secures a 2025 ARC spot with ๐ฑ๐ฐ
๐ฐ๐ท Have harder task (37C ๐ก๏ธ, ๐ฆ๐ช physicality)
๐ฒ๐พ Need improved result to carry to crucial ๐ฆ๐ช match
๐ง๐ท v ๐ต๐พ (18/8)
#RWC2027
General info โฌ๏ธ
3:30pm Local KO time โฐ
Estรกdio Nicolau Alayon ๐๏ธ
Sรฃo Paulo ๐
Stream TBC โณ
2024 Form
๐ง๐ท: W 47-25 v ๐ง๐ช L 25-26 v ๐ญ๐ฐ
๐ต๐พ: L 20-45 v ๐ง๐ช L 12-80 v ๐ญ๐ฐ
Recent H2H (๐ง๐ท 3-0 ๐ต๐พ)
๐ต๐พ 22 - 41 ๐ง๐ท
๐ง๐ท 31 - 28 ๐ต๐พ (Neutral)
๐ง๐ท 29 - 0 ๐ต๐พ (RWC qualifier)
#ARC
R1 ๐ฐ๐ท55-5๐ฒ๐พ
#RWC2027
๐ฐ๐ท Better in every aspect. Professional looking outfit, will only improve by 2025
๐ฐ๐ท8 HJW incredible, deserves move to ๐ฏ๐ต
๐ฒ๐พ Very Poor, worse than in 2023. My relegation favourites
Inexperienced ๐ฐ๐ท surprisingly good, no realistic risk of loss v ๐ฆ๐ช
#ARC
R2 ๐ฒ๐พ 6-70 ๐ญ๐ฐ
#RWC2027
๐ญ๐ฐโก๏ธARC 2025
๐ฒ๐พ Improved kicking game, but defence soft and attack repetitive
๐ฒ๐พ Underdogs v ๐ฆ๐ช
๐ญ๐ฐ Altier 100% kick success. Crucial for ๐ฐ๐ท (50%) game
๐ญ๐ฐ4 Needs long ban for 2 direct punches to back of ๐ฒ๐พ2โs head. โRabbit punchesโ can end careers
RAC R3 Games (all July 28th) ๐
Seeding phase
๐บ๐ฌ v ๐ธ๐ณ (5th place PO, 12pm)
๐ณ๐ฆ v ๐ฐ๐ช (3rd place PO, 2pm)
๐ฟ๐ผ v ๐ฉ๐ฟ (Final, 4pm)
Elimination stage
๐จ๐ฎ v ๐ง๐ซ (10am)
Loser out of
#RWC2027
qualifiers
All KO times local. Matches live on Kawowo Sports YT + RugbyPass
#ARC
R1 ๐ญ๐ฐ 52-5 ๐ฆ๐ช
#RWC2027
๐ฆ๐ช Very physical, better than expected. ๐ฒ๐พ Will have relegation worries
๐ฆ๐ช Fitness needs improving, if done they can challenge an inexperienced ๐ฐ๐ท at home
๐ญ๐ฐ Unsurprisingly dominant. This ARC is a formality already
๐ญ๐ฐ Debuting 10 Matteo impressive
#RWC2027
controversy ๐ณ
โฌ๏ธ African spots decreased from 1.25 to 1.125 this cycle, despite RWC expansion
๐ Provide more sides (16) with qualifying chance than any other continent
2๏ธโฃ direct spots undeserved, but poor from WR to not improve odds to 1.5 (I.e. AF2 v AS1 for RWC)
๐ฐ๐ท Update
#RWC2027
KEPCO set to return (provided ๐ฐ๐ท with 7/26 players in 2023 ARC squad)
Centre Labati (๐ซ๐ฏ) will qualify on residency before 2025 ARC
Lock Jang Hwan signed by KEPCO. Should mean he plays for ๐ฐ๐ท for 1st time since 2018
Jang (1.93m, 119kg) spent 8 years in ๐ฏ๐ต
RAC matches (July 24th) ๐
Seeding phase
๐ฐ๐ช v ๐ฉ๐ฟ 2pm
๐ณ๐ฆ v ๐ฟ๐ผ 4pm
Elimination stage (
#RWC2027
qualifiers)
๐ธ๐ณ v ๐จ๐ฎ 10am
๐บ๐ฌ v ๐ง๐ซ 12pm
Elim Winners then play for seeding + qualify for 2025 RAC. Losers โก๏ธ Elimination final
Games live on Kawowo Sports YouTube ๐บ All KO times local
#RWC2027
Qualifier dates ๐๏ธ
Asia ๐ญ๐ฐ๐ฐ๐ท๐ฒ๐พ๐ฆ๐ช: 1st-22nd June (ARC)
Africa ๐: 18th-29th July (RAC)
RAC details expected tomorrow 3PM UK time ๐
๐ง๐ท Calendar shows SA R2 qualifiers starting in August (likely ๐จ๐ฑ๐ง๐ท๐ต๐พ + R1 winner)
SA R1 should be played first (๐จ๐ท๐ป๐ช๐ต๐ช๐จ๐ด rumoured)
Europe Qualifying news ๐๏ธ
2025 REC (likely) league format, fairer than pool format (no favourable draw)
7๏ธโฃ Games each, 2๏ธโฃ8๏ธโฃ total
However, some sides get 4 home games whilst others get 3
Lower ranked sides (๐ฉ๐ช๐ง๐ช๐ณ๐ฑ) trying to scrape EU4 would give EVERYTHING to play ๐ท๐ด at home
@T2Rugby
We could see big fitness improvements, Brazils historic issue (won 2nd half 15-12, 15-5 if last minute brain fade ignored)
Last game before Caffera (๐จ๐ฆ) Brazil lost 2nd half 26-5
Lineout success (pre Caffera weakness) 93%
Mentality issues, when closing games out still an issue
Poll time ๐ณ๏ธ
Which
#RWC2027
contender has impressed you most this July?
Relevant results ๐
๐ผ๐ธ 34-30 ๐ช๐ธ ๐น๐ด 20-29 ๐ช๐ธ
๐จ๐ฑ 22-17 ๐ญ๐ฐ ๐ต๐พ 12-80 ๐ญ๐ฐ
๐ง๐ท 25-26 ๐ญ๐ฐ ๐ง๐ท 47-25 ๐ง๐ช
๐บ๐ฌ 20-22 ๐ฟ๐ผ ๐ณ๐ฆ 10-32 ๐ฟ๐ผ ๐ฟ๐ผ 29-3 ๐ฉ๐ฟ
Let me know who you picked, and why below๐
Viewing figures ๐บ
Asiaโs first 3 qualifiers have 232,000 views on YouTube alone (only official broadcasts counted) ๐
Shows
#RWC2027
qualifiers are monumental for creating interest
20,000 attended
#ARD1
final between ๐ฑ๐ฐ and ๐ฐ๐ฟ
The numbers support the RWCโs expansion decision
@ignaciochans
My qualifying idea
Remove Asias spot, ๐จ๐ฑ get a direct spot
๐จ๐ฆ Then play ๐ง๐ท or ๐ต๐พ for a
#RWC2027
place
This means ๐จ๐ฆ are more likely to qualify (what WR want) + SA growth rewarded
If ๐ง๐ท or ๐ต๐พ beat ๐ญ๐ฐ in summer tests, SA will go crazy
๐ญ๐ฐ Provided with easier FQT as compromise
Whyโs ๐ฆ๐ช v ๐ฐ๐ท important?
๐ฐ๐ท Needs one point for a 2025 ARC spot (I.e. a LBP will do)
๐ฆ๐ช BP Win virtually relegates ๐ฒ๐พ
๐ฐ๐ท BP Victory by 62 puts them top
If ๐ฐ๐ท qualify tomorrow, then their
#RWC2027
qualification plan begins (recruitment process, 2025 domestic season extension)
๐ง๐ท Situation
Some key player ages by the time
#RWC2027
starts
Willian - 32
Rebolo - 32
Dias (c) - 32
Tranquez - 33
Paganini - 34
Arruda - 38
Duque - 38
277 Caps combined. 6/7 Played v ๐ญ๐ฐ
Likely last qualifying campaign for this group. ๐ง๐ท Must throw everything at this cycle
@AmericasOval
How does the final stage with ๐บ๐พ work?
Heard numerous different rumours
To me a knockout format makes sense. Means ๐จ๐ฑ๐ง๐ท๐ต๐พ qualifiers important for seeding (I.e top 2 finish means avoiding ๐บ๐พ SF)
@AsieRugby
Any idea how itโs going?
Side note: I think ARC is ๐ฐ๐ท best route to RWC. 1/2 Upset wins over ๐ญ๐ฐ is not impossible
To qualify via FQT, ๐ฐ๐ท need to beat 3 teams (+ win AF/AS2 playoff) roughly at ๐ญ๐ฐโs level. This requires depth and experience. ๐ฐ๐ท Have neither
2๏ธโฃ Asian qualifiers this week
1/6/24 ๐ญ๐ฐ(24) v ๐ฆ๐ช (60) 15:30
2/6/24 ๐ฐ๐ท (30) v ๐ฒ๐พ (50) 14:00
KOโs local time ๐ฐ๏ธ
๐ญ๐ฐ Massive favourites over ๐ฆ๐ช
๐ฐ๐ท Weak squad, all efforts focused on 2025. Should still easily beat ๐ฒ๐พ
4th place in this ARC eliminated from
#RWC2027
qualifying โ
Asian qualifier roundup ๐
๐ฐ๐ฟ 33-31 ๐ถ๐ฆ ๐ฑ๐ฐ 45-10 ๐ฎ๐ณ
๐ฎ๐ณ๐ถ๐ฆ Eliminated from qualifying โ
๐ฑ๐ฐ๐ฐ๐ฟ progress to final on May 4th โก๏ธ
Winner promoted to 2025 ARC ๐ Replacing this years last placed side โ๏ธ
2024 ARC June 1st-June 22nd
Competing nations: ๐ญ๐ฐ๐ฐ๐ท๐ฒ๐พ๐ฆ๐ช
#ARC
#ARD1
#RWC2027
@RugbyinGermany
@vanhighlanders
That ๐ง๐ท mainly featured domestic amateurs, not cobras personnel
Reckon it was a C team at best (I recognised 5/25 players)
๐ง๐ท Are big into development, but after ๐ฉ๐ชโs result, should've known this wasnโt the right game to build depth
@EmergingRugby
The logical answer was 2 direct South American spots, but World rugby just care about ๐ฐ
This is why they made ๐จ๐ฆ qualifying a priority
Otherwise itโs a good system that combines skill level with geographical representation
@T2Rugby
I doubt it is WRโs long term ambition (until ๐จ๐ฆ/๐บ๐ธ fail to qualify again ๐คฃ)
The expansion to 24 was a compromise so fans complain less about the bullshit Nations Cup
If SA create enough noise + Europe continue to strengthen I can see WR reluctantly accepting a 28 team RWC
@T2Rugby
South America deserved 2 spots
World rugby insult them with a playoff game
Come last in the PNC you should go straight to the repechage
But World Rugby neglect growth in South America to give Canada as many qualifying attempts (3) as possible
@T2Rugby
๐ฉ๐ช Should do the same v ๐ง๐ช
Especially if they upset ๐ท๐ด (then win v ๐ง๐ช likely qualifies ๐ฉ๐ช for RWC)
If ๐ฉ๐ช lose first 2 games, large crowd could help them secure home semi final in FQT race
Matchday โ๏ธ
๐Colombo, Sri Lanka
๐ก๏ธ 28-31C, light ๐ง๏ธ
Asian qualification begins ๐
2๏ธโฃ
#RWC2027
qualifiers today
๐ฐ๐ฟ (64) v ๐ถ๐ฆ (94) and ๐ฑ๐ฐ (44) v ๐ฎ๐ณ (87)
Both losing sides are eliminated โ
๐บ Catch it live on Asia Rugbyโs Facebook and YouTube page
Match recaps coming later ๐
@cornwall_fraser
Note the use of โconsiderationโ here
Iโm sure if ๐จ๐ฆ don't qualify, theyโll still get into this Div 2
Itโs why I reckon WR havenโt committed to all 12 qualifiers being in Div 2 yet ๐
In theory itโs a good idea
@cornwall_fraser
Not just online, but in person aswell
20,000 Attended ๐ฑ๐ฐ v ๐ฐ๐ฟ (Might be the biggest crowd we will see for a qualifier this cycle)
@cornwall_fraser
Interest/playing numbers are RWC standard
The union has a dodgy past (suspended by WR).
Will the money earned be spent on improving the team? Thats the big question
๐ฑ๐ฐ Would improve massively, but not enough for a 24 team RWC. (Expansion to 32 makes qualification possible)
@AsieRugby
This game shows if Asia deserve a direct spot
So far ๐ญ๐ฐ beat ๐ต๐พ and lost to ๐จ๐ฑ
(Likely how ๐ง๐ท does in qualifiers- should get into the FQT)
To reach RWC2027 teams need to beat ๐ง๐ท (I.e. in FQT or to reach SA2/PNC6 playoff)
Therefore If ๐ญ๐ฐ lose (unlikely) Asia 1 undeserved
๐ฑ๐ฐ 45-10 ๐ฎ๐ณ
Physical Tuskers dominate ๐ฎ๐ณ who started well (more competitive game than expected). Key factors in the win where the phenomenal offloading game alongside running it from anywhere
๐ฑ๐ฐ Harnessed large home crowds energy and look favourites to beat ๐ฐ๐ฟ
#RWC2027
#ARD1
@T2Rugby
๐ง๐ซ have amazed me
They where a decent goal-kicker off beating ๐บ๐ฌ today
๐จ๐ฎ Repetitive/simple attack wonโt initially worry ๐ง๐ซ, however they still have fitness issues so must maximise early chances to avoid elimination
๐ฑ๐ฐ overpower ๐ฐ๐ฟ 45-7
๐ฑ๐ฐ Quality outfit, fully deserves there place in 2025 ARC
A promising campaign for ๐ฐ๐ฟ. If ties are forged with ๐ท๐บ we will see huge improvement in the 2031 cycle. A ๐ฐ๐ฟ side in the RRC would be great
Asian
#RWC2027
qualifying resumes with the ARC in June
@issac450336091
@JoJo_Flix
My solution
Oceania champion (I.e. ๐จ๐ฐ) plays off v winner of ๐ฑ๐ฐ v ๐ฒ๐พ for ARC spot
NA sides Join SA qualifiers, or best NA teams plays v PNC 6 for ๐จ๐ฑ playoff spot
These sides deserve a chance, but not a direct FQT spot
Qualifying idea ๐ค (1/2)
If Asiaโs spot is removed, ๐จ๐ฑ get a direct spot
๐จ๐ฆ Would play ๐ง๐ท or ๐ต๐พ for a
#RWC2027
place
Then ๐จ๐ฆ more likely to qualify (what WR want) + SA growth rewarded
If ๐ง๐ท or ๐ต๐พ beat ๐ญ๐ฐ in summer tests, SA will go crazy
๐ญ๐ฐ Provided easy FQT as compromise
@_muntara
28 Is perfect in my opinion. ๐ง๐ท/๐ณ๐ฑ Likely just miss out despite being same level as ๐ญ๐ฐ
๐ท๐บ Are also good enough, and I think their ban by WR is unfair (but I have ๐ท๐บ family, so maybe thatโs bias)
Thatโd make 27. So we just need to raise the level of 1 team
๐ฐ๐ฟ UPSET ๐ถ๐ฆ 33-31โผ๏ธ
A determined and improved performance (๐ถ๐ฆ won 35-10 in 2023) sees the Kazakhs continue there
#RWC2027
journey with a historic victory ๐ฅ
There scrum pressure and flashy back plays made the difference
๐ฐ๐ฟ defence phenomenal, frustrating ๐ถ๐ฆ all game
#ARD1
@HipposFans
@DMugumisa
@luti_is
I doubt it
WR has technically given Africa 2 qualification spots. People forget 1 has already been taken by ๐ฟ๐ฆ
No official plan has 2 African sides directly making
#RWC2027
from the RAC. However 2nd place in the RAC could always qualify through FQT
Fiji have qualified for
#RWC2027
after a controversial 17-12 win over Georgia in Bordeaux
Georgian qualification practically impossible, so I would think already slim hopes of joining the 6 nations are basically non existent after another poor pool finish
#RWC23
#FIJvGEO
#RWC
FQT ๐ (2/2)
Asia 1 (likely ๐ญ๐ฐ)
PO loser (๐จ๐ฆ/๐ง๐ท/๐ต๐พ)
Europe 5 (likely ๐ณ๐ฑ)
Asia/Africa 2 PO winner (๐ฐ๐ท/๐ฟ๐ผ/๐ฐ๐ช/๐ฉ๐ฟ)
Asia well represented (1.5 of 4 FQT spots)
If ๐ญ๐ฐ/๐ฐ๐ท canโt win this they donโt deserve a
#RWC2027
place
Giving an underdeveloped region a direct spot is a risk
@_muntara
@T2Rugby
Recently, yes
They proposed an expanded FQT (8 teams) to give more sides chances to reach RWC 2027
By creating noise, I mean they want a direct SA2 spot (stated in their proposals)
WR may want to achieve this by expanding to 28, than risk ๐จ๐ฆ not qualifying
@T2Rugby
๐ฉ๐ฟ Continue to strengthen, as they recruit more players through ๐ซ๐ท-๐ฉ๐ฟ ancestry/links
The side for the 2027 cycle will be a significant improvement on the 2023 campaign
If ๐ฟ๐ผ fail to start a similar recruitment program the gap will increase (๐ฉ๐ฟ won 20-12 last time they met)
How
#ARD1
works with
#RWC2027
qualifying:
Semi Finals (30th April)
- ๐ฐ๐ฟ v ๐ถ๐ฆ and (hosts) ๐ฑ๐ฐ v ๐ฎ๐ณ
Final (5th May)
- WM1 v WM2
1st: Promoted to 2025 ARC (top division) โฌ๏ธ
2nd-4th: Eliminated โ
Promotion to ARC enables a shot at qualification in 2025
Article coming soon
@Etienne_10_
๐ญ๐ฐ Have thrashed
EU6 ๐ฉ๐ช (46-10)
SA4 ๐ต๐พ (12-80)
๐ฐ๐ท B team (67-7)
None are in the top 30 of WRโs rankings
Promising signs, but I will still wait for the ๐ง๐ท game (July 20th)
@EmergingRugby
Both ๐ฐ๐ฟ and ๐ฑ๐ฐ are homegrown sides, with sustainable interest at youth level. Best case scenario final, as either side winning promotion will massively increase interest in the sport. You wouldโve struggled to say the same about ๐ถ๐ฆ
@MMeillerd
@JerrisonTeide
@JoJo_Flix
@Etienne_10_
Because ๐ง๐ช are EU7 and EU7 doesnโt get a direct spot
If ๐ท๐ด (EU4- last EU spot) toured SA, the argument would be on EU spots
Believe me SA officials will go nuts if ๐ง๐ท beat ๐ญ๐ฐ
They stay quiet now because thereโs no results to support a complaint
Poll time ๐ณ๏ธ๐ญ๐ฐ๐ฐ๐ท๐ฒ๐พ๐ฆ๐ช
Do Asia deserve a direct spot for
#RWC2027
๐ค
With Asian qualifiers in June it is an inevitable question
Comment your thoughts below ๐
@cornwall_fraser
Yeah it would be wrong
But after this I donโt put anything past WR
Only North America voted for this process, every other region was against it
@cornwall_fraser
๐ฐ๐ท Currently have no chance, but likely have KEPCO and POSCO clubs returning, along with a recruitment process in 2025
๐ฉ๐ฟ Improve yearly through ๐ซ๐ท links. They will overtake ๐ณ๐ฆ, the question is just when
This tweet made me realise a 32 team RWC is not a distant idea