The 2027 Rugby World Cup Draw is set to be revealed in Sydney ahead of the largest World Cup in history.
The tournament has expanded from 20 teams to 24 ahead of the 11th edition of Rugby’s hallmark event.
Watch every second of the 2027 Rugby World Cup live and on demand via Stan Sport.
It means a change in format, with six pools of four set to be drawn from Wednesday, 8:00 pm (AEDT)
Follow all the action and reaction LIVE on Rugby.com.au’s blog below.
8:32 pm – Full Pools
Pool A: New Zealand, Australia, Hong Kong China, Chile
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
8:31 pm – Trans-Tasman Pool!
For the first time ever, Australia will face New Zealand in the Pool stages.
Holy, what a way to potentially start a World Cup.
Defending champions South Africa have drawn Italy, Georgia and Romania.
We’ve got a UK battle with England and Wales and Ireland taking on Scotland.
8:30 pm – Band Two drawn
Wales have drawn a nasty draw, positioned with Tonga and Zimbabwe.
Likewise Pool B, with Italy and Georgia a tasty battle of who should be in the Six Nations.
Japan are setting up a nice Pacifc pool with Samoa and the USA.
Pool A: Australia, Hong Kong China, Chile
Pool B: Romania, Georgia, Italy
Pool C: Canada, Spain, Fiji
Pool D: Portugal, Uruguay, Scotland
Pool E: Samoa, USA, Japan
Pool F: Zimbabwe, Tonga, Wales
8:26 pm – Chile draw Australia
Another new opponent as Australia draw Chile
Tonga is the first team drawn into Pool F, with USA following them into Pool E.
Other ones to watch are Uruguay in Pool D and Georgia in Pool B.
Pool A: Australia, Hong Kong China, Chile
Pool B: Romania, Georgia
Pool C: Canada, Spain
Pool D: Portugal, Uruguay
Pool E: Samoa, USA
Pool F: Zimbabwe, Tonga
8:25 pm – Band Four drawn
Here is how the Pools look so far
Pool A: Australia, Hong Kong China
Pool B: Romania
Pool C: Canada
Pool D: Portugal
Pool E: Samoa
Pool F: Zimbabwe
8:20 pm – Australia’s first opponent…
Australia have drawn Hong Kong China as their pool four team in Pool A
It’s the first time they will play at a World Cup.
8:15 pm – Draw starts now
World Rugby Chairman and former Wallaby Brett Robinson is the man drawing band one, still waiting for that first draw.
James Slipper is on band two, Alicia Lucas is on band three and Dan Carter is on band four.
Another hype reel on the 24 teams, band four
8:10 pm – Quick reminder
Australia is already drawn into Pool A as the hosts.
The Draw will start with the first six teams from band one (which has been shown about four times now), with the Wallabies to find out straight away who they will play.
Stay tuned after this commercial break.
8:05 pm – Final predictions
As the presenters talk about the World Cup, I can’t shake the thought of the Wallabies drawing Ireland.
New Zealand would be fitting, given Australia have never drawn them before in the pool stages.
We’re about ten minutes away from finding out.
8:00 pm – We’re underway
The proceedings are underway as the Rugby World Cup Draw show is underway.
Michael Atkinson welcomes everyone to the action, with Morgan Turinui as the MC for the draw. Presenters will include:
- Brett Robinson – World Rugby Chair and former Australian international
- Dan Carter – All Blacks icon and two-time Rugby World Cup winner
- James Slipper – Former Wallabies captain and Australia’s most-capped player
- Alicia Lucas – Olympic gold medallist and former Australian Sevens star
- Tim Horan – 1999 World Cup winner and Australia legend.
7:45 pm – Teams to avoid
Heading into the studio now, and on paper, there are some clear teams you’d want to avoid.
Band one is a murder’s row of teams, with South Africa, New Zealand and England at the top of the list IMO.
It’s a similar story in band two, hosting teams like Australia, Fiji, Scotland and Italy, who have proven they can beat any team on their day.
Beyond that, Georgia is the clear standout in band three, although Tonga are an interesting prospect if they can recruit some ex-All Blacks and Wallabies.
Likewise, Samoa in band four, with Scott Sio already making the move and the likes of Shaun Stevenson about to become eligible.
7:30 pm – Potential Pool Possibilities
With countless combinations and possibilities for the six pools, here are some potential cool opposition/match-ups we could see
- Pacific Pool: New Zealand, Australia/Fiji, Tonga, Samoa
Guaranteed immaculate vibes and energy, fitting for the return of the World Cup to Pacific shores.
- Football frenzy: Argentina, Italy, Spain, Portugal
Rivals in another sport, these four nations have some of the most passionate fans in the world, bringing a unique atmosphere to the World Cup.
- Africa expansion: South Africa v Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe were one of the biggest beneficiaries of the expanded World Cup. A match-up with neighbours South Africa would be historic – the first time the two sides face off as fully-fledged Test nations.
- Old habits die hard: New Zealand, Italy, Tonga, Canada
New Zealand and Italy are destined to battle forever in World Cups, drawn together seven times in ten tournaments. Tonga and Canada have a similar history, facing off on three different occasions
7:00 pm – All you need to know
With just over an hour until the pools are drawn, check out our guide to the 24 teams and their Rugby World Cup Pool history.
It breaks down who they’ve drawn in the past, which first-time opposition they can face and their road to the World Cup.
RUGBY WORLD CUP 2027 POOL GUIDE
6:30 pm – Welcome
Hello and welcome to Rugby.com.au’s live coverage of the 2027 Rugby World Cup Draw and Pools announcement in Sydney.
Coverage on Stan Sport and 9Gem will begin around 8:00 pm AEDT, with the draw likely starting around 8:15 pm.
The Wallabies will learn their pool-stage fate, with the home team locked into Pool A, befitting of the hosts, and sit in the second band of teams.
As a reminder, here are the four bands, decided by the current World Rankings.
- Band 1: South Africa, New Zealand, England, Ireland, France, Argentina
- Band 2: Australia, Fiji, Scotland, Italy, Wales, Japan
- Band 3: Georgia, Uruguay, Spain, USA, Chile, Tonga
- Band 4: Samoa, Portugal, Romania, Hong Kong China, Zimbabwe, Canada
How to Watch the Rugby World Cup 2027 Draw
The Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 Draw will be broadcast live on Stan Sport, 9Gem and 9Now in Australia on Wednesday 3 December.
Globally, it will be streamed via RugbyPass TV and World Rugby’s YouTube.
The coverage will start from 8:00 pm AEDT (9:00 am GMT), with the draw to start around 8:15 pm.
