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The Breakdown | Hong Kong China’s minnows relish a Rugby World Cup baptism of fire

Debutants will face Australia and All Blacks and full-back Paul Altier admits he and his teammates are more used to ‘watching it as fans’This time next year the Rugby World Cup will be looming large. Australia’s big party kicks off on 1 October 2027 when the host nation will be intent on replicating the feelgood factor generated by their eventful 42-38 win against the world champion Springboks on Sunday. If the Wallabies can maintain their improvement under Les Kiss, the levels of local interest will rise exponentially.A resurgent Australia could also have significant implications for England, their potential quarter-final opponents, as well as New Zealand. Should the Wallabies somehow find a way past the All Blacks in Sydney on the second weekend of the pool stages it would catapult the Kiwis into England’s side of the draw and rip up a lot of advance calculations.This is an extract from our weekly rugby union email, the Breakdown. To subscribe just visit this page and follow the instructions. Continue reading...

Published Sep 29, 2026 · 7:45 AMOriginal source: Sport | The Guardian1 reads
Debutants will face Australia and All Blacks and full-back Paul Altier admits he and his teammates are more used to ‘watching it as fans’This time next year the Rugby World Cup will be looming large. Australia’s big party kicks off on 1 October 2027 when the host nation will be intent on replicating the feelgood factor generated by their eventful 42-38 win against the world champion Springboks on Sunday. If the Wallabies can maintain their improvement under Les Kiss, the levels of local interest will rise exponentially.A resurgent Australia could also have significant implications for England, their potential quarter-final opponents, as well as New Zealand. Should the Wallabies somehow find a way past the All Blacks in Sydney on the second weekend of the pool stages it would catapult the Kiwis into England’s side of the draw and rip up a lot of advance calculations.This is an extract from our weekly rugby union email, the Breakdown. To subscribe just visit this page and follow the instructions. Continue reading...
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Original sourceSport | The Guardian