Chile are going to Rugby World Cup 2027. Los Cóndores booked their place at the Australia-hosted tournament by defeating Samoa 31-12 in Viña del Mar on Saturday.
The Estadio Sausalito in Viña del Mar was close to capacity and it put on a beautiful occasion. The crowd was so loud at times that referee Luke Pearce was unable to hear the TMO or assistant referees on his microphone. In addition, Santiago Videla said that he could not hear the questions during his post match interview.
Chile’s win meant so much to Videla and Los Cóndores. They felt disrespected by World Rugby. The global governing body allowed South America with only 1 spot for the World Cup. This despite Asia gaining one despite not having any team with prior RWC experience involved in qualifiers. In short, Chilean players and supporters were right.
Chile’s historic win over Samoa came following further history made earlier on in the year. Chile defeated Romania at home and Uruguay on the road. Both results would fade into the distant memory is Chile were not able to deliver against Samoa.
The win over Samoa came with a bright start and strong finish. Santiago Videla landed two opening quarter penalties for a 6-0 lead. Samoa were also in trouble with Abraham Papali’i yellow carded.
The opening try of the contest came on 24 minutes. Diego Escobar won a high ball and found Benjamín Videla. The scrum-half darted over to dot the ball down in the try zone. His brother, Santiago Videla, converted to give Chile a 13-0 lead.
Chile backed it up with another try. While playing with advantage, Matías Garafulic kicked the ball through. Lolagi Visinia regathered only to be tackled by Nicolás Saab and loose control of the ball. Iñaki Ayarza scored a gift try as a result.
Samoa improved their discipline and came away with their opening try. Following raids from the forwards, the ball was spun wide and center Melani Nanai scored down the left side. It meant the scores were 18-7 at half-time.
Neither team was able to score points in the third quarter. Samoa then scored early in the third quarter. A try from a lineout to maul saw Jonah Mau’u over. The conversion was wide but Samoa had now clawed their way back into the contest.
Rather than panicking, Chile went about their work and did so by frustrating the opposition. Penalties resulted and Santiago Videla successfully struck two to give Chile a 24-12 lead.
Videla’s penalties had the crowd on their feet and a chorus ¡Chi, chi, chi, le, le, le…, viva Chile! (“Long live Chile!”). Then came the magic moment for fans and players. With only three minutes remaining Chile scored the best try of the game. Nicolás Saab interchanged passes with Matías Garafulic for a spectacular score with Saab weaving his way to the try zone and diving under the posts.
- Chile’s victory saw the country qualify for Rugby World Cup 2027.
- Samoa’s defeat sees the Pacific Islanders enter repechage alongside Belgium, Namibia and either Brazil or Paraguay.
- Samoa is a two-time Quarter Finalist at Rugby World Cups.
CHILE (31)
TRY – B Videla, I Ayarza, N Saab
CON – S Videla (2)
PEN – S Videla (4)
SAMOA (12)
TRY – M Nanai, J Mau’u
CON – M Talapusi
YC – A Papali’i
CHILE
1 Javier Carrasco, 2 Diego Escobar, 3 Iñaki Gurruchaga, 4 Santiago Pedrero, 5 Javier Eissmann, 6 Raimundo Martínez, 7 Clemente Saavedra, 8 Alfonso Escobar, 9 Benjamín Videla, 10 Rodrigo Fernández, 11 Nicolás Saab, 12 Santiago Videla, 13 Domingo Saavedra, 14 Matías Garafulic, 15 Iñaki Ayarza
Replacements: 16 Augusto Böhme, 17 Salvador Lues, 18 Matías Dittus, 19 Bruno Sáez, 20 Ernesto Tchimino, 21 Lucas Berti, 22 Juan Cruz Reyes, 23 Cristóbal Game
SAMOA
1 Jarred Adams, 2 Pita Ah Sue, 3 Bradley Amisoneau’i, 4 Benjamin Nee-Nee (co-capt.), 5 Michael Curry, 6 Olajuwon Noa, 7 Alamanda Motuga (co-capt.), 8 Abraham Papali’i, 9 Conor Tupa’i, 10 Martini Talapusi, 11 Latrell Ah Kiong, 12 Theodore Steffany, 13 Melani Nanai, 14 Tomasi Alosio, 15 Lolagi Visinia
Replacements: 16 Ray Niuia, 17 Ivan Fepulea’i, 18 Herman Huch, 19 Potu Leavasa, 20 Jonah Mau’u, 21 Rilloy Suesue, 22 Afa Moleli, 23 Elisapeta Alofipo
Referee: Luke Pearce (England)
Assistant Referees: Damian Schneider (Argentina); Tomás Bertazza (Argentina)
TMO: Marcelo Pilara (Argentina)
