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Australia's fixtures for Rugby World Cup revealed
By AAP
Australia’s home Rugby World Cup campaign will kick off against debutants Hong Kong rather than bitter rivals New Zealand, who also feature in the same pool.
Chile return for a second World Cup to round out Pool A at next year’s hotly anticipated tournament, the first hosted in Australia since 2003.
It will be Australia’s first match against the South American nation.
“It’s incredibly exciting to have the schedule locked in for the Wallabies’ pool fixtures, ahead of what’s going to be a truly special tournament here in Australia next year,” said Rugby Australia chief executive Phil Waugh.
The Wallabies will be rated favourites alongside the All Blacks, second on the World Rugby rankings, to finish in the top two of Pool A and advance to the knockout stage.
Four of the six third-placed teams from the group stage will also progress.
Should Australia place second in their pool, they will face the Pool F runners-up – one of England, Wales, Tonga and Zimbabwe – for their first knockout clash.
Win their pool, and Australia would face the third-placed team from Pool C, E or F in the round of 16.
Perth will hosts Australia’s first pool match on October 1 next year, before the All Blacks clash in Sydney on October 9, then the match against Chile on October 16 in Brisbane.
POOLS AT THE 2027 RUGBY WORLD CUP
POOL A: New Zealand, Australia, Chile, Hong Kong
POOL B: South Africa, Italy, Georgia, Romania
POOL C: Argentina, Fiji, Spain, Canada
POOL D: Ireland, Scotland, Uruguay, Portugal
POOL E: France, Japan, USA, Samoa
POOL F: England, Wales, Tonga, Zimbabwe
2027 RUGBY WORLD CUP FIXTURE HIGHLIGHTS
* Expanded 24-team tournament features 52 matches, 19 match days, seven cities and eight venues, with games clustered around weekends to accommodate fans.
* Australia’s mouth-watering Sydney pool clash with co-hosts New Zealand, on October 9, will be the teams’ second Rugby World Cup fixtures.
* The Wallabies begin their campaign in the tournament opener against Cup debutants Hong Kong in Perth on October 1.
* Australia’s final pool game is against Chile in Brisbane on October 16.
* Two-time defending champions South Africa begin their quest for a historic third straight title against Italy in Adelaide on October 3.
* Final in Sydney on November 13.
* Pool stage concludes with a historic five-game day on October 17, dubbed Super Sunday.
* The top two from all six pools, plus the four best third-placed teams, progress to knockout round-of-16 games in Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney.
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