The greatest day in Chile’s Rugby history is September 27, 2025. The day saw Los Cóndores booking their place at Rugby World Cup 2027 by defeating Samoa 31-12 at a packed Estadio Sausalito in Viña del Mar.
The match was game two of a home-and-away Rugby World Cup Qualifying series between Chile and Samoa. Game one was played in Salt Lake City, Utah rather than in Samoa. Numerous problems plagued Samoa including cutting resources, facing bankruptcy and corruption and being unable to tour in November 2024 nor hosting a test match rugby in 2025.
Chile’s win over Samoa was thud more about victory on the field. It was a realization of genuine progress with High Performance investments having successfully lifted Los Cóndores’ level while also winning the hears of the Chilean public.
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 followed a first-ever win over Romania earlier in the year and an away victory over Uruguay in RWC Qualifiers. The trio of victories made 2025 a genuine year of highs for Chile Rugby. This was arguably greater than 2022 when Chile defeated both Canada and the USA in RWC Qualifiers to qualify for a first-ever Rugby World Cup.
The 2022 experience and playing at the Rugby World Cup in France in 2023 lifted the profile of rugby in Chile. Home matches in both 2024 and 2025 were well attended with those at the Estadio Sausalito in Viña del Mar treated to Chile beating a former two-time Rugby World Cup Quarter Finalist.
Los Cóndores started and ended the match against Samoa strongly. Santiago Videla landed two opening quarter penalties for a 6-0 lead while Samoa lost Abraham Papali’i for ten minutes to an early 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.
