Rugby World Cup 2027 draw: All Blacks to find out group for World Cup

The All Blacks could be drawn with Australia for the first time. Photo / Photosport

The Rugby World Cup 2027 draw takes place tonight in Sydney where the All Blacks will find out their potential path to a fourth title.

The four bands have been confirmed to decide the groups - which has been extended to six groups for the next World Cup.

This will be the first time that Australia host the tournament since 2003. Australia also co-hosted the inaugural tournament with New Zealand in 1987.

What are the bands for the 2027 Rugby World Cup draw?

Band One

South Africa, New Zealand, England, Ireland, France, Argentina

Band Two

Australia, Fiji, Scotland, Italy, Wales, Japan.

Band Three

Georgia, Spain, Uruguay, USA, Chile, Tonga

Band Four

Samoa, Canada, Portugal, Romania, Zimbabwe, Hong Kong China

What is the format for the 2027 Rugby World Cup?

The new expanded format will feature six pools of four teams, replacing the four pools of five teams that had been in place since Australia last hosted the tournament in 2003.

The World Rugby Men’s Rankings at the end of the November internationals have been used to create four bands of six teams, with each band drawn randomly into Pool A, B, C, D, E or F. The exception is Australia who, as hosts, will be placed in Pool A in their respective band.

The top two teams from each pool plus the four best third-placed teams will qualify for the knockout phase.

The first-ever Men’s Rugby World Cup round of 16 will see the winners of Pool A, B, C and D play the four best thirds, winners of Pool E and F will face the runners-up from Pool D and B, with the runners-up in Pool A and C to meet the second-placed teams from Pool E and F.

Which team have the All Blacks drawn the most?

New Zealand v Italy is the most-common pool match in RWC history, with six. They were also drawn together in 2019 but did not play due to Typhoon Hagibis.

Of the teams to play in every Rugby World Cup, the only side New Zealand have not faced in a pool stage is Australia.

The All Blacks have never played against Chile, Hong Kong China, Spain and Zimbabwe.

New Zealand have not been drawn in a pool with Fiji since the inaugural tournament in 1987 and have never met Samoa in the tournament’s history.

They have not faced Portugal, Romania or Scotland since RWC 2007, while they last faced Wales in a pool match when the tournament was held in Australia in 2003.

When does the 2027 Rugby World Cup draw take place?

From 10pm NZT Wednesday. The Herald will have live updates of the draw.

Which cities are hosting games at the 2027 Rugby World Cup?

Rugby World Cup 2027 will take place in seven host cities across Australia - Sydney, Perth, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Townsville and Newcastle.