SYDNEY (AP) — Australia will play Hong Kong in the western city of Perth on Oct. 1 to open the 2027 Rugby World Cup. The final will be on Nov. 13 at Stadium Australia in Sydney.
Organizers announced the schedule and times on Tuesday for all 52 matches over 19 match days in seven cities and eight venues.
The draw was held in Sydney in December. South Africa, the two-time defending champion, open against Italy on Oct. 3 in Adelaide.
Organizers also announced a so-called “Super Sunday” on Oct. 17, 2027, when five matches will be played on the final day of pool play: Italy vs. Georgia, Ireland vs. Uruguay, Scotland vs. Portugal, France vs. Samoa and South Africa vs Romania.
Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, and Sydney will host the first ever knockout round of 16 teams, followed by quarterfinals in Brisbane and Sydney, and semifinals, bronze final and final in Sydney.
The Wallabies will have a much tougher second match when they take on powerhouse New Zealand in Sydney on Oct. 9. It will be the first time Australia and the All Blacks have met in the pool stage at a Rugby World Cup.
“To kick off our campaign against Hong Kong will be special given it’s their first time in a World Cup and we always feel incredibly well supported in Perth,” Australia captain Harry Wilson said. “New Zealand a week later in Sydney will obviously be a massive occasion.”
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The RWC 2027 tournament’s full schedule of matches.
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AP rugby: https://apnews.com/hub/rugby