Canada’s Men’s team is headed back to the Rugby World Cup. After upsetting the USA in Calgary to open the Pacific Nations Cup, qualification for Australia 2027 was secured by Japan’s victory over the Eagles in Sacramento on Saturday night. The ticket was officially booked when Kanji Shimokawa scored the fourth try in the 33rd minute, earning Japan a bonus point.
It marks a return to the flagship tournament for Canada that will come eight years since they took part in Japan 2019, and is achieved in Steve Meehan’s first qualification opportunity. The team did not receive an invitation to France 2023 after the Kingsley Jones-led side were famously defeated by Chile at Valparaíso in 2021. It was the first time a Canadian side had failed to qualify for a Rugby World Cup.
The 2027 edition will be the first World Cup to feature 24 teams. Canada currently sits 24th on the World Rugby Rankings and results through the end of this year will determine which band they are placed for the tournament draw, which is set to take place in December or January. Without knowing who Canada’s opponents might be during their November test window, it appears unlikely they will be able to push into the top 20 before the draw.
Meanwhile USA fans now turn their attention to Samoa in Denver next Sunday. The winner of that match will advance directly to RWC 2027. The loser will face Chile in a two-leg play-off with another spot on offer. Should the Eagles fail to win either, they would compete against Belgium, Namibia, and one of Brazil or Paraguay in the last-gasp Repechage tournament to be hosted in Dubai this coming November.
