Rugby World Cup 2027 - Qualifying

[Bovidae]

It was 22-3 until late in the game. I thought Belgium winning would be an upset but their ranking is higher.

[Bones]

Oh, weird, just thought Namibia had been in the last couple of RWCs.

[nostrildamus]

@mikedogz said in Rugby World Cup 2027 - Qualifying:

Sounds like good games for a neutral to watch!

[Mr Fish]

@Bones said in Rugby World Cup 2027 - Qualifying:

Oh, weird, just thought Namibia had been in the last couple of RWCs.

Largely courtesy of Africa getting a guaranteed spot.

[African Monkey]

@Mr-Fish said in Rugby World Cup 2027 - Qualifying:

@Bones said in Rugby World Cup 2027 - Qualifying:

Oh, weird, just thought Namibia had been in the last couple of RWCs.

Largely courtesy of Africa getting a guaranteed spot.

And even then, they'd only just scrape through.

[NTA]

I heard they are crazy for rugby in Madagascar.

[Bovidae]

Zimbabwe beat Namibia 30-28 in the Africa qualification tournament final, which meant they will appear for the first time since 1991, and Namibia have to play in this final qualification tournament. With 24 teams there could have been two African teams apart from SA.

[booboo]

@NTA said in Rugby World Cup 2027 - Qualifying:

I heard they are crazy for rugby in Madagascar.

Them and Sri Lanka apparently. Countries you would not obviously expect.

[NTA]

I have to find the local Sri Lankan community and more specifically: the bit that is thirstier for rugby than cricket.

Probably the local African community as well. Those Sudanese are quite tall I've noticed, and perfect locking material.

[mohikamo]

@booboo said in Rugby World Cup 2027 - Qualifying:

Them and Sri Lanka apparently. Countries you would not obviously expect.

Always been in Ceyon.
NZ sent a U23 side in the 50's (I think)
Its in the schools too. 1st XV rugby is a big thing.

The French have done a reasonable job of spreading rugby around Africa.
Pretty sure Ivory Coast made RWC finals.

[booboo]

@mohikamo said in Rugby World Cup 2027 - Qualifying:

Ivory Coast

Unfortunately I always recall them for their winger who tragically broke his neck against Tonga.

(And their loss to Scotland where Gavin Hastings set a new world record individual points total, that got beaten by Simon Culhane ...)

[mohikamo]

@booboo
Forgot about that . . . extremely unfortunate.

[Bovidae]

Belgium scored a very late try to win. Samoa v Belgium in Rd 3 for the chocolates.

[ARHS]

Rumours of a Hong Kong disciplinary issue may make 2nd place quite important. Shouldn't happen, but who knows

[African Monkey]

@ARHS said in Rugby World Cup 2027 - Qualifying:

Rumours of a Hong Kong disciplinary issue may make 2nd place quite important. Shouldn't happen, but who knows

Seems to happen a lot with teams qualifying.

[mikedogz]

[mikedogz]

[sparky]

Samoa drew with Belgium but have still qualified for the 2027 RWC.

[African Monkey]

Samoa avoid disaster.......just!

[sparky]

I didn't know they played much Rugby in Belgium.