Samoa has secured its spot in the 2027 Rugby World Cup after a tense 13-13 draw against Belgium in the final qualification match held in Dubai. The Pacific Islanders advanced to the tournament by virtue of an extra bonus point, finishing the qualification rounds with 12 points, just ahead of Belgium’s 11 points.
Both teams had previous victories over Brazil and Namibia earlier in the tournament, but it was Samoa who ultimately clinched the 24th and final berth for the World Cup in Australia, denying Belgium the chance to compete in their inaugural World Cup. Traditionally strong in rugby, Samoa, having participated in all but one of the previous ten World Cups, faced an unexpected challenge in the qualification process.
The match was fiercely contested, reflecting the stakes involved. Replacement forward Abraham Papali’i scored Samoa’s only try, while Jacob Umaga added a conversion and two penalties. Samoa began with an early penalty kick from Umaga but trailed at halftime 6-3 due to two penalties converted by Belgium’s Matias Remue.
After an intense second half, Samoa regained the lead with Papali’i’s try in the 64th minute, which Umaga converted. Umaga later added another penalty, extending Samoa’s lead to 13-6. However, Belgium fought back valiantly, with Jean-Maurice Decubber scoring a try in the 73rd minute, leveling the match and setting up a nail-biting finish.
Captain Theo McFarland stated, “It wasn’t all pretty but it was a proud effort and we managed to get the ticket to the World Cup.” This sentiment reflects both relief and resilience after a hard-fought battle against a determined Belgian side.
The official Rugby World Cup draw is scheduled for December 3, where Samoa will learn more about its path in the tournament. The team’s qualification is a significant achievement, and fans can look forward to their continued participation on the world stage in what promises to be an exciting tournament.