The 2027 Rugby World Cup, featuring an expanded 24-team schedule and a new-look format, is set to be filled with lopsided and potentially ‘boring’ results in the pool stages.
This week, the match schedule for the tournament was revealed, confirming dates, venues, and kick off times for all 52 tournament matches.
The tournament will start with a clash between Australia and minnows Hong Kong, the tournament’s third-lowest-ranked side.
Understandably, fans have already begun to express disappointment at what could be a completely one-side affair.
“They could offer me front-row seats, to where you could literally walk on the field, I would literally toss them in the bin,” Force supporter Marc Jones told The West Australian.
“I’ve already made my mind up. I’m going to boycott the opening game. There’s no way I’m going. I won’t even watch it at the pub. It’s not even worth it.
“It’s heartbreaking as a Wallabies fan.”
Rugby World Cup will require patience from supporters
The fact of the matter is that the pool stages will be filled with very few blockbuster battles, and fans will need to accept that it is going to be a tournament of two halves.
Once proceedings reach the Round of 16 onwards, that is when things will get interesting, and so there will need to be some acceptance that the pool rounds are built for expanding the global game and setting the scene for more compelling match-ups to come.
‘New era’ promised
World Rugby Chair Brett Robinson sought to put a positive spin on what the tournament will bring.
“We’ve assembled the most compelling match schedule to date, carefully designed to balance player welfare, fan experience and global reach. From the opening match in Perth | Boorloo to the final in Sydney | Wangal, get ready for six weeks of the greatest brand of rugby as our sport enters a new era of openness and entertainment with Australia 2027.”
