2027 Rugby World Cup: ‘It really could be an English-Australia final’

Wallabies great Michael Hooper has made a bold prediction two years out from the 2027 Rugby World Cup, believing history could repeat 24 years on from Jonny Wilkinson’s unforgettable winner – saying “it really could be” England versus Australia in the final.

Wilkinson famously kicked England to 2003 Rugby World Cup glory at Stadium Australia, slotting a drop goal with his weaker right foot in extra-time. Phil Waugh and George Gregan were among the Wallabies who attempted a desperate chargedown but it was England’s night in Sydney.

England made the next World Cup final in 2007 but were beaten by South Africa, and those two teams met again in the 2019 big dance. Australia made one other decider in 2015 against New Zealand. The Springboks have won the last two World Cups but ‘Hoops’ insists England will be a real threat to that reign.

Ireland were the last team to defeat England, way back in the Six Nations on February 2, and only five points separated the teams in Dublin. The English have beaten France, Scotland, Italy, Wales, Argentina twice, the USA, Australia, Fiji and New Zealand, marking a dominant run of 10 consecutive wins.

“This English team, I said it I think during the Lions Series that this is a team that’s going to be right at the pointy end come 2027,” Hooper said on Stan Sport’s Between Two Posts.

“I don’t think they’re leaving their run too early. History has a funny way of repeating itself so it really could be an England-Australia final [in] 2027.

“I do think the Wallabies have so much to offer. [They’ve] come a little bit undone in the last couple of weeks but building a squad and two teams that can really put together a great squad performance.

“That England team is now proving the fact that with 10 wins in a row, in the modern game is just not an easy feat so credit to them.”

England’s most recent result has had the rugby world talking for days, after they recorded a clinical 33-19 triumph over the All Blacks at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium. The New Zealanders raced out to an early lead but the home side remained in the fight.

After Leicester Fainga’anuku and Codie Taylor scored early tries for the All Blacks, England reduced the deficit, courtesy of an Ollie Lawrence five-pointer. Fly-half George Ford then converted two drop goals just before the break, seeing the hosts go into half-time down by a single point.

Taylor was shown a yellow card early in the second term, and England made the most of their one-man advantage. Sam Underhill crashed over for a try in the 42^nd minute, before Fraser Dingwall ran a superb line through the All Blacks’ defensive line to score soon after.

While the All Blacks hit back through try-scoring phenomenon Will Jordan with 15 to play, Ford helped see the home side home, slotting a late penalty goal to seal it. Tom Roebuck had the last try-scoring say with an effort on the bell.

“Yeah, classic England game. Starved New Zealand of opportunity, the thing that New Zealand are so good at; creating one-on-ones, athletic mismatches, the speed and pace of game… even England’s defensive strategy worked very well for them,” former Wallaby Justin Harrison explained.

“New Zealand skipped away to a pretty strong start but the thing about this England side is they’ve just got maturity now and they’ve got multiple types of game. Big centres, good tight forwards, an exciting backrow and a 10 that can slot [drop goals] as well.

“It’s probably one of the most complete performances that England have put on in a long time.”