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Thursday
12:00
International

All four Rugby World Cup seeding bands confirmed

If Scotland lose or draw to Tonga, Samoa will fall into the fourth band (Getty Images)

World Rugby’s four pool-stage seeding bands for Rugby World Cup 2027 are now officially confirmed after this week’s November Tests.

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Australia, as hosts, go straight into Pool A. They will still be drawn from Band 2 based on where they finish the year, but their pool slot was guaranteed from the start.

Beyond Australia, eleven teams qualified automatically by finishing in the top three of their pools at Rugby World Cup 2023: Argentina, New Zealand, Fiji, Japan, England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, Wales and South Africa.

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The other twelve came through the global pathway.

Georgia, Portugal, Romania and Spain made it out of Europe, Zimbabwe took the Africa place, Hong Kong China qualified from Asia, while Canada, Tonga and USA advanced via the Pacific route. Uruguay qualified from South America.

Chile won a regional playoff and Samoa claimed the final berth through their repechage draw with Belgium in Dubai.

Zimbabwe’s presence in Band 4 still stands out: they sit outside the top 24 in the rankings but qualified as Africa’s representative. Belgium, despite being ranked higher, miss out entirely.

The final confirmed bands

Band 1
South Africa
New Zealand
England
Ireland
France
Argentina

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Band 2
Australia
Fiji
Scotland
Italy
Wales
Japan

Band 3
Georgia
Spain
Uruguay
USA
Chile
Tonga

Band 4
Samoa
Portugal
Romania
Hong Kong China
Zimbabwe
Canada

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Comments

7 Comments
S
Shelton Chiuswa 14 days ago

But Zim being highlighted as not in the Top 24 and Belgium is but failed to make to the top 24 teams in Australia 2027 gives out as if Zim dnt deserve to be there . Gave a bitter taste to the mouth respectfully so.

M
Mike Gibson 14 days ago

Glad that Ireland held the top 4. Top 6 for Band 1, but seeding to QF and beyond may run on top 4 being kept apart. That could mean SA/NZ separated until final if matches go with seeding.

J
JW 14 days ago

Nar it’s meaningless, pretty sure it’s all random from here on out. Draws a couple of weeks away.

J
J Marc 15 days ago

If my aunt….

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Comments on RugbyPass

D
DP 7 minutes ago
Experienced commentator weighs in on Eben Etzebeth's verdict

And there is the crux - Kiwi commentator aggrieved as Eben will be back for the Test series in 2026. Ironic that an all time great of the game - not just in NZ but the world - in Ardie gave a character reference. Shows the respect that these players have for one another.

32 Go to comments
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Lou Cifer 37 minutes ago
How England are building the foundations for World Cup success in 2027

UBB were mighty impressive! that backline was delicious as heck. Loved seeing Big Ben coming off the bench for some added heft too! Bulls were complete trash on defence. it was actually non-existant. New coach with so many Boks at your disposal🙈

269 Go to comments
t
tf 37 minutes ago
Experienced commentator weighs in on Eben Etzebeth's verdict

This is stupid. If it happened in a club game before the NZ tour of SA they’d be all for it applying across levels.

This way makes way more sense. Some players might never get an international cap again.



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32 Go to comments
L
Lou Cifer 47 minutes ago
Experienced commentator weighs in on Eben Etzebeth's verdict

Ryan’s ban affected the following games :

November 28 – Dragons RFC v Leinster, United Rugby Championship



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32 Go to comments
L
Leo Maywood 52 minutes ago
Experienced commentator weighs in on Eben Etzebeth's verdict

Saffa claiming victim, seems about right. Eben just got off scott free by world rugby and you talk about them trying to depower the springboks. Eish!

32 Go to comments
L
Leo Maywood 54 minutes ago
Experienced commentator weighs in on Eben Etzebeth's verdict

Maybe that is because he missed tests and not club games? Eish!

32 Go to comments
L
Leo Maywood 58 minutes ago
Experienced commentator weighs in on Eben Etzebeth's verdict

Maybe for you but no, this is not complicated. Mess up in test rugby, only miss test, simple.

32 Go to comments
t
tf 59 minutes ago
All Blacks: How the forwards depth rates against Razor's four deep project

Not a huge fan of these name listings but lumping two positions together annoys me. When you look at lock having 4 is the minimum. You need three in most 23’s and its very common to have a couple out.

Look at England. Started the year with Itoji and Martin, then Chessum then Cole, then Ewels coming of the bench. Even had CCS play there against Wales.



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NB 1 hour ago
How England are building the foundations for World Cup success in 2027

UBB were fantastique weren’t they? The Bulls looked thoroughly discouraged by the end, even though they playd pretty well!

269 Go to comments
P
PMcD 1 hour ago
Our Investec Champions Cup team of the week

Given how the Bath front 5 destroyed Munster, I was surprised not to see any of them in here, especially Thomas Du Toit who picked up where he left off for the Boks and is looking it invincible form.

I also thought 35 points scored by the Saints backline may see one of them making this list but alas not.



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S
SJ 1 hour ago
Experienced commentator weighs in on Eben Etzebeth's verdict

Obsessed? Haha no mate, you started with your comment (which smacks or sour grapes), I'm just having a go 😜. I would agree that itbis not common for players to add muscle mass in-season. It would be very nearly impossible with the amount of games they play these days, either travel and prep etc. HOWEVER, WR have given EE 18 weeks free of such burdens. He will have 18 weeks where all he can do is hit the gym and train. Why wouldn’t he add some muscle mass, it’s beneficial for his role as a number 4 lock.

Liking windows? How very British of you, you “window licker” 😋



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32 Go to comments
P
PMcD 1 hour ago
What Tony Johnson is hearing about the vacant All Blacks assistant role

The 2023 RWC game strategy was built on playing off quick front foot ball, moving the ball just before contact and then quick pick & go on the fringes, which gave the attack more time and space, which worked well.

The change to play a bigger, power based forward game has resulted in less efficient attack and the same back line look a shadow of their former selves off slower ball and the coaching team have struggled to adapt.



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13 Go to comments
D
Dave Didley 1 hour ago
Experienced commentator weighs in on Eben Etzebeth's verdict

Why are you obsessed with me and my ‘sour grapes’ and testosterone count?

It’s about the big fella.



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32 Go to comments
P
PMcD 1 hour ago
What Tony Johnson is hearing about the vacant All Blacks assistant role

I think this “mid cycle, end of season review” will likely feel very similar to the same cycle review when Foster was in charge and you have to admit the JS solution was a very good one, which brought them 1 point away from landing the key prize in RWC.

Having worked so well in the past, I suspect they will be looking for a similar solution this time and your idea certainly has some merit if they want the AB’s to have the best chance of success.”



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13 Go to comments
D
Dave Didley 1 hour ago
Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth ban for 'intentional' foul play confirmed

Ceart.

95 Go to comments
P
PMcD 1 hour ago
What Tony Johnson is hearing about the vacant All Blacks assistant role

So, they didn’t struggle dealing with the high ball in the RWC 2023 cycle but with the change of laws and playing Will Jordan at 15 and Leicester Faingaʻanuku on the wing, it has become a problem.

Hmmm, this may be a bit extreme for the AB coaches but I often found playing a full back at full back and wingers on the wing usually helped with situations like that.



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13 Go to comments
P
PMcD 1 hour ago
All Blacks: How the forwards depth rates against Razor's four deep project

I don’t think anyone has questioned the level of depth in the AB squad, it’s the game strategy and the style they are playing that is frustrating people. It feels like they are picking the wrong players in the wrong order, whilst not giving others chances, whilst being outplayed by the opposition.

How they have managed Leicester Faingaʻanuku this season is a classic example and I am afraid that sits with the coaching team. Picking your team and playing to their strengths is a key thing at this level and that’s something that Razor has really struggled with throughout.



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T
TahiDaMaori 2 hours ago
What Tony Johnson is hearing about the vacant All Blacks assistant role

Robertson has to be the least articulate All Blacks coach ever. When it comes to talking to the media. Suppose to come in after we sacked Ian Foster .Take the All Blacks to new heights and beyond. No where near anyone would have hoped we the (All Blacks) would or should be. With the world cup draw and South Africa in the Quarter Finals. We aren't looking that good. Hopefully things can change. Tour to South Africa next year will show us. If we are going in the right direction. Or if we need a change before the RWC. Time will tell.

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J
J Marc 2 hours ago
Late George Hendy try sees Northampton nick win in France

Sure, it's what I said : it's a choice.

25 Go to comments
P
PB 2 hours ago
All Blacks: How the forwards depth rates against Razor's four deep project

I guess the Boks can also just trundle out a list of names, which makes the Boks depth about 8 deep 🤭

5 Go to comments
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