Written by Jack Megaw | The Overload

The United States secured qualification for the 2027 Rugby World Cup with a 29-17 victory over Samoa at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Denver. It took three late tries for the United States to overcome a Samoa side that featured several Major League Rugby players.

After the Pacific Nations Cup was revived in 2024, qualification for the Men’s Rugby World Cup now runs initially through that tournament under the Pacific region. With both the United States and Samoa finishing at the bottom of their pool, the 5th Place Playoff match brought added meaning to the two teams hoping to secure the final spot for the Pacific continental qualifier section for the tournament.

Speaking to USA Rugby, head coach Scott Lawrence said, "I think we start looking at the 2027 squad going into the November test series. We've got a U20s World Championship next year with a new crop of players coming through, so we're ready to invest in them and spend time with that playing group. Otherwise we just start planning. It was a three year plan to get here, so it will be another two year plan into the Rugby World Cup. I'll take 24 hours off, but we'll be back to work on Tuesday."

After not qualifying for the 2023 Rugby World Cup, USA Rugby saw sponsorship deals fall through, as they wouldn’t be taking part in the tournament. As the 2027 Rugby World Cup expands from 20 to 24 teams, it risks watering down the competition - but gives added opportunity for developing rugby nations to compete in the tournament. Securing qualification will bring relief for the 19th ranked United States, who look forward to being the host nation for the 2031 Men’s Rugby World Cup.

USA Rugby have targeted the 2031 event with their Moonshot 2031 campaign, with the target to reach a semi final in their home tournament. On the project, United States’ men’s 15s head coach Scott Lawrence said, ​​"Just like JFK's audacious moonshot in 1962, winning a World Cup quarterfinal on home soil in 2031 demands the best of American rugby. Together we will rise to the challenge."

Taking inspiration from the space race, USA Rugby are currently in a phase called “Project Gemini,” where the goals are to qualify and perform at the 2027 World Cup, qualify for the U20 World Championship, and grow the playing base through fielding only USA eligible players for Anthem Rugby Carolina in Major League Rugby. As the future of MLR appears unstable, the team has yet to win a match in their two years of competition.

After dropping out of qualification in the Pacific Nations Cup phase, Samoa will now advance to the Pacific / Sudamerica qualifying playoff. Should they fail in this phase they will compete in a final qualification tournament to be held in Dubai.

The final qualification tournament will take on a round-robin format where the winner will qualify for the 2027 Men’s Rugby World Cup. The four teams will be made up of the fifth place team in Europe, the third place team from South America. The remaining spots will come from the losers of the Asia / Africa play off and the Pacific / Sudamerica play off.

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