Samoa has secured a place in the 2027 Rugby World Cup following a dramatic 13-13 draw against Belgium in the final qualification match held in Dubai. With this result, the Pacific Islanders earned an extra bonus point, finishing the qualification rounds with a total of 12 points, narrowly surpassing Belgium, which ended with 11 points.
Both teams displayed impressive performances earlier in the tournament, having previously defeated Brazil and Namibia. Ultimately, it was Samoa that clinched the 24th and final spot for the upcoming World Cup in Australia, denying Belgium the opportunity to participate in their first-ever World Cup. Historically strong in rugby, Samoa has been a consistent presence in the tournament, taking part in all but one of the previous ten editions.
The match itself was fiercely contested, showcasing the high stakes involved. Samoa’s sole try came from replacement forward Abraham Papali’i, with Jacob Umaga contributing through a conversion and two penalties. Although Samoa started strong with an early penalty by Umaga, they found themselves trailing at halftime with a score of 6-3, following two successful penalties by Belgium’s Matias Remue.
In the second half, Samoa regained momentum with Papali’i’s try in the 64th minute, which was successfully converted by Umaga, extending their lead to 13-6 with another penalty shortly after. Belgium, however, demonstrated their tenacity, equalizing the match when Jean-Maurice Decubber scored a try in the 73rd minute, creating a tense finish.
Captain Theo McFarland expressed his pride in the team’s resilience, stating, “It wasn’t all pretty but it was a proud effort and we managed to get the ticket to the World Cup.” This reflects the team’s relief and determination following a closely fought contest against a formidable Belgian side.
The official Rugby World Cup draw is scheduled for December 3, where Samoa will discover their path in the tournament. This qualification marks a significant milestone for the team, and fans can look forward to their inspiring journey on the world stage amidst the excitement of the upcoming tournament. With notable past performances, Samoa’s participation promises to add to the thrilling narrative of the World Cup.