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.

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 blaze at Penarth RFC destroyed memorabilia including a Springbok head presented by the Barbarians in the 1960s.

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

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.

Ireland will meet Scotland in the group stage of a Rugby World Cup once again as they were drawn together in Pool D for the 2027 competition in Australia alongside Uruguay and Portugal.

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.

Scott Barrett can see the beauty in a World Cup draw. As the pools were decided for the 2027 tournament in Sydney last night, the All Blacks’ road to another World Cup title became clear. Winning their pool likely sets them up for a quarter-final against the world No 1 side,