Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
Argentina have received a favorable pool for RWC 2023. Los Pumas will compete in Pool D of the tournament in France. As it transpired, the South Americans have avoided a pool of death.
Pool C will consist of England, Japan, Argentina, Oceania 1, and Americas 2. This is a favorable draw when compared to that of RWC 2019. In last year’s tournament Argentina faced England, France, Tonga, and the USA. For 2023 a similar pool is the result, but with an important difference; Japan in place of France.
Indeed, the possibility exists for both Tonga and the USA to qualify in Pool D. Either Tonga or Samoa will qualify as Oceania 1. The Americas 2 spot could be the USA. Another possibility is for a historic South American pool match. This would be the case if Uruguay qualify as Americas 2.
Click here to access complete details of the Americas qualifying process for RWC 2023.
The host country, France has also received a satisfactory draw. Les Blues have the tough assignment of facing New Zealand, though doing so in pool play rather than a Quarter Final or Semi Final is preferred. France and New Zealand will compete in Pool A together with Americas 1 and Africa 1.
The opening contest of RWC 2023 remains unclear. It could, in theory be France vs Americas 1. However, it is more likely that it will be against a Tier 1 opponent and one not from the same continent. In other words, France vs New Zealand is the projected tournament opener.
Like Argentina, the Americas 1 qualifier will have a favorable pool. France, and New Zealand are elite opposition, however facing Italy and not Argentina or Scotland is favorable. Moreover, Italy is arguably a favorable draw in comparison to Fiji.
Also of note is Americas 1 vs Africa 1. This marks a favorable contest for the Americas participant. Uruguay competed a series win over Namibia in Africa in 2017. Los Teros will welcome the prospect of facing Africa 1 in RWC 2023. Namibia has qualified as Africa 1 for every RWC since, and including, the country’s first in 1999.
The RWC 2019 champions will compete in Pool B. South Africa will be joined by direct qualifiers Ireland and Scotland. The two qualifying spots will go to the Asia / Pacific 1 qualifier and Europe 2. The Asia / Pacific 1 is projected to be the loser of the Oceania 1 qualifier between Samoa and Tonga. Europe 2 is presently wide open. Portugal, Romania, Russia, and Spain are all candidates.
Finally, Pool C is one of familiarity. Wales, Australia, and Fiji again find themselves together. This is a repeat of RWCs 2007, 2015 and 2019. Wales and Fiji were also together in RWC 2011. The three teams will be joined by Europe 1 and the Final Qualifier Winner. Georgia is favored to be Europe 1 while no projections of the Final Qualifier Winner are presently reliable. Georgia faced Australia, Wales, and Fiji in RWC 2019.
Canada won the equivalent of the Final Place Winner tournament for RWC 2019. The North Americans did so by defeating Germany, Hong Kong, and Kenya. The tournament for RWC 2023 is expected to be tougher.
| POOL A | POOL B | POOL C | POOL D |
| New Zealand | South Africa | Wales | England |
| France | Ireland | Australia | Japan |
| Italy | Scotland | Fiji | Argentina |
| Americas 1 | Asia / Pacific 1 | Europe 1 | Oceania 1 |
| Africa 1 | Europe 2 | Final Qualifier Winner | Americas 2 |
