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Disruptions have further affected the Rugby World Cup 2023 qualifiers. Following the decision to only involve Canada and the USA in the North American regional qualifiers, regional governing body Oceania Rugby have canceled their regional qualifiers. The decision sees the Cook Islands progressing in RWC 2023 qualifiers.
Oceania Rugby’s decision comes just over a month ahead of the tournament. Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea was to play host to the regional qualifiers from June 18-26. The winner was to advance to face the runner-up of the Oceania 1 Play-Off between Samoa and Tonga in the Asia / Pacific Qualifier. Samoa and Tonga are scheduled to compete in July.
The decision sees World Rankings determining that the Cook Islands advance. The Cook Islands are 52nd in men’s World Rankings. Additional participants were to include Niue, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, and Tahiti.
The winner of the Cook Islands vs the loser of Samoa vs Tonga will become Oceania 2. This team will advance to a final play-0ff against Asia 1. The winner of Oceania 2 vs Asia 1 will qualify for RWC 2023 as Asia/Pacific 1. This team will compete in Pool B of RWC 2023. The pool will consist of Asia/Pacific 1, Europe 2, Ireland, Scotland, and South Africa.
The country that qualifies as Asia/Pacific 1 will be the final Pool B team to begin their campaign. Asia/Pacific 1 will open against Ireland in Nantes on September 16, 2023.
