Rugby World Cup 2027 draw: All Blacks grouped with Australia, Chile and Hong Kong China
The All Blacks have been grouped with host Australia for the 2027 Rugby World Cup and face a potential clash with two-time defending champions South Africa as early as the quarter-finals.
The 2027 Rugby World Cup draw was revealed in Sydney tonight, the first time the event will feature 24 teams across six pools.
The All Blacks were drawn in Pool A with Australia, Chile and tournament debutants Hong Kong China. It is the first time New Zealand and their Bledisloe Cup rivals have been drawn together in a group at a men’s Rugby World Cup while the All Blacks have never played against Chile or Hong Kong China.
Chile are ranked 17th in the world and made their first World Cup appearance two years ago in France, where they lost all four games, scoring just four tries and conceding 30.
Hong Kong China qualified for RWC 2027 by winning the Asia Rugby Emirates Men’s Championship 2025, beating Korea, Sri Lanka and UAE. They are ranked 23rd in the world.
The winner of the group will meet a third placed team in Pool C/E or F before being pitted in a likely quarter-final clash with World No 1 side South Africa who are in Group B alongside Italy, Georgia and Romania.
It’s a worst case scenario for Scott Robertson’s side who will also likely have France on their side of the draw in the knock-out round.
Runner up in Group A will go to the other side of the draw and face Runner up in Group E in the Round of 16.
In Group C is Argentina, Fiji, Spain and Canada while Group D will feature Six Nations rivals Ireland and Scotland with Uruguay and Portugal.
In Group E is France, Japan, USA and Samoa and Group F is England, Wales, Tonga and Zimbabwe.
The match schedule will be announced on February 3 next year which will reveal whether the All Blacks and Wallabies will be playing in the tournament opener on October 1, 2027.
All Blacks potential path to the final
If win Group A
Round of 16 - Third placed team in Pool C/E or F (Spain, Samoa or Tonga)
Quarter-final - Winner of Group B (South Africa)
Semi-final - Winner of Pool E (France)/Pool D runner up (Scotland/Ireland)
In runner up in Group A
Round of 16 - Runner up in Group E (Japan)
Quarter-final - Pool F winner (England)
Semi-final - Pool C winner (Argentina) or Pool D winner (Ireland/Scotland)