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A new format has been unveiled for the Americas for the RWC 2023 qualifiers. Ignacio Chans reports that World Rugby has modified the qualifying system in the Americas. The changes were subsequently confirmed by Sudamérica Rugby.
The Americas has been allotted 2.5 places. This is no different to the RWC 2019 qualifiers; what has changed is the pathway. Until RWC 2019 the North American winner qualified directly for the Rugby World Cup. For RWC 2019 this saw the USA qualifying. Meanwhile, the runner-up, Canada, faced Uruguay for the Americas 2 direct qualifying spot.
World Rugby sought to use the Americas Rugby Championship for RWC 2023 qualifiers. However, the pathway to RWC 2023 will not come from the ARC. Instead, there will initially be separate tournaments in South America and North America. This represents a victory for Sudamérica Rugby.
Countries will advance from the separate qualifiers to compete in two Americas finals. The new system will enable the possibility of three South American countries to compete at RWC 2023. Argentina has already qualified. Two of Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Paraguay, and Uruguay could, in theory, also qualify.
The process will kick off in June 2021. A yet to be determined location will host the Four Nations tournament. The top two from Brazil, Chile, Colombia, and Paraguay will join Uruguay and the Argentina XV in the second round.
Round 2 will quickly follow. It will also be a South American 4 Nations tournament. This time, though, only three teams will be competing to qualify. The top side, other than the Argentina XV, will be declared South America 1 (SAR 1).
SAR 1 will advance to Round 3. In November 2021, SAR 1 will face North America 1 (RAN 1). The RAN 1 side will be the winner of the Canada vs USA qualifying series. The winner of the RAN 1 vs SAR 1 series will qualify for RWC 2023 as Americas 1.
The runner-up of RAN 1 vs SAR 1 will not be eliminated. Instead, this team will await the winner of RAN 2 vs SAR 2. The winner of that series will qualify for RWC 2023 as Americas 2. The loser will enter the Repechage as Americas 3.
The repechage format for RWC 2023 resembles that of RWC 2019. On that occasion Canada faced Germany, Hong Kong, and Kenya. For RWC 2023 the Americas 3 country will compete against Africa 2, Europe 3 and Asia / Pacific 2 in the global Repechage. The winner will qualify for RWC 2023.
RWC 2023 AMERICAS QUALIFIERS
Round 1 – Jun 2021
Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Paraguay
The top two advance to Round 2.
Round 2 – Jul 2021
Uruguay, Argentina XV, top two from Round 1.
The winner is South America (SAR 1). This team advances to Round 3.
Round 3 – Nov 2021
Americas Final between SAR 1 and North America 1 (RAN 1).
The winner qualifies for RWC 2023 as Americas 1. The loser enters Round 5.
Round 4 / Play-Off 1 – tbd
SAR 2 vs RAN 2
The winner advances to Round 5.
Round 5 / Play-Off 2 – July 2022
Round 3 loser vs Round 4 winner.
Winner qualifies for RWC 2023 as Americas 2.
Loser becomes Americas 3 and qualifies for Repechage (Final Qualification Tournament).
Final Repechage Tournament – Nov 2022
Americas 3, Africa 2, Europe 3, Asia / Pacific 2.
The winner will qualify for RWC 2023 as the 20th and final participant.
