Four Spots Remain for RWC 2019 – Who Can Qualify?

Only four Spots Remain for RWC 2019 – Who can qualify? There are opportunities for countries from Africa, Asia, Europe, North America and Oceania. They come in the form of (a) direct regional qualification and (b) repechage.

Uruguay sealed the final spot in Pool D of RWC 2019. The South Americans did so on Saturday by winning 32-31 over Canada in Montevideo. Combined with their win seven days earlier in Vancouver, Uruguay won 70-60  on aggregate.

Uruguay’s qualification means that Pool D is the second to be completed. Los Teros join Australia, Fiji, Georgia and Wales. For further information click here.

In 2017 the five Pool C participants were confirmed. The group contains two countries from the Americas. This makes it a pool like none before for the region. The five competing teams are to be Argentina, England, France, Tonga and the USA. For further information on Pool C click here.

The four vacant spots in RWC 2019 are in Pool A and Pool B. Both have two positions up for grabs. Pool A will have Europe 1 and the Play-Off Winner while Pool B will be completed by the Africa 1 and Repechage qualifiers.

Europe 1
The top placed side from the 2017-2018 Rugby Europe Championship will qualify directly for RWC 2019 as Europe 1. With Georgia having pre-qualified based on their performances in England 2015 the Europe 1 spot will go to the Rugby Europe Championship runner-up in the event that Georgia wins the competition.

Involved in the race for the Europe 1 spot are Belgium, Germany, Romania, Russia and Spain. The successful qualifier will enter Pool A joining Ireland, Japan, Scotland and the Play-Off Winner. The Europe 1 competitor will have the honor of playing against Japan in the tournament opener in Tokyo.

Play-Off Winner
The country that qualifies as the Play-off Winner will be the first of what are two allocated repechage qualifiers. The name has been chosen by World Rugby to distinguish from the repechage spot which involves four teams from different regions.

The Play-Off Winner will be Europe 2 or Samoa. The Europe 2 qualifier will be the winner of a match between the runner-up of team of the Rugby Europe Championship (Belgium, Germany, Romania, Russia and Spain) vs Portugal.

Samoa failed to qualify as Oceania 1 or Oceania 2. Fiji and Tonga instead qualified in these positions. As Oceania 3 Samoa awaits Europe 2 in the battle to be the Play-Off Winner. The successful qualifier will claim the final place in Pool A.

Africa 1
The winner of Africa’s RWC 2019 qualifying process will earn automatic qualification for Japan 2019. The runner-up from this tournament will be Africa 2 and will have one last opportunity of qualifying. The six countries are Kenya, Morocco, Namibia, Tunisia, Uganda and Zimbabwe.

The country that qualifies as Africa 1 will join Italy, New Zealand, South Africa and the Repechage Winner in Pool B.

Repechage
The new model for the repechage qualifiers will see a tournament taking place. It is to be played at a neutral venue and is to feature four countries. One of them has been confirmed – Canada. The three remaining places are to depend on the results of remaining regional qualifiers.

Canada’s place is as Americas 3. The remaining competitors are to be Africa 2, the Europe / Oceania Play-off loser and the Asia / Oceania play-off winner. Tahiti is confirmed as the Oceania competitor and awaits one of Hong Kong, Malaysia and South Korea in the Europe / Oceania Play-Off.

The successful qualifier will be the 20th, and final, participant to qualify for RWC 2019. This country will play in Pool B, joining Africa 1, Italy, New Zealand, and South Africa.