Trans-Tasman foes Australia and New Zealand have been drawn alongside eachother in Pool A for the first time in Rugby World Cup history.

Draw, groups, matches, nations and format for tournament in Australia originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here. Rugby World Cup 2027 host Australia has received a tough path to glory with super power New Zealand drawn in their pool.

The match schedule will be announced on February 3, 2026. The six pool winners, six runners-up and four best third-placed teams progress to the knockout rounds. Starting with a round-of-16, there will be four single elimination rounds that will determine the winner of the Rugby World Cup.

Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt could be the centre of a trans-Tasman tug-of-war after Australia and New Zealand were pitted in the same group at a Rugby World Cup for the very first time.

The Wallabies’ pool matches at the 2027 Rugby World Cup will include a game against New Zealand. For the first time in the history of the tournament, the trans-Tasman rivals will meet in the pool stage. Pool A also includes Chile and Hong Kong, with the Australians to feature in the opening game of the tournament in Perth on October 1, 2027.

South Africa hooker Malcolm Marx has been crowned the men’s world rugby player of the year. The news came moments after his Springboks beat Ireland 24-13 in Dublin.

Host Australia and three-time champion New Zealand were drawn into the same group Wednesday for the expanded Rugby World Cup in 2027. Australia was placed into Pool A from the second band of teams that were ranked from seventh to 12th.

The draw for Rugby World Cup 2027 took place in Sydney, Australia, host country of the sport's next global spectacle.