Portugal knock the US out and quality for the World Cup

[jargan83]

Portugal have qualified for the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France after drawing with the USA in their crunch match in Dubai with the final kick of the game.

Portugal secured their place with the 16-16 result in the last match of the Final Qualification Tournament in Dubai.

They finish first of the last qualifier on points difference and become the final team to qualify for France 2023. Portugal will take part in their second Rugby World Cup after 2007 and join Australia, Wales, Fiji and Georgia in Pool C.

It means the USA – who will host the tournament on 2031, miss out for the first time in the history.

It means Portugal will take their place in Pool C at RWC 2023, alongside Wales, Australia, Fiji and Georgia.

“It’s hard to explain, it’s one of the best feelings in the world,” Portugal captain Tomás Appleton said. “For the rugby community this is amazing, we’ve been missing [from Rugby World Cup] for quite some time and we need a new generation to inspire the kids.”

Earlier on Friday, Hong Kong mounted a second-half comeback to beat Kenya 22-18 and claim third place in the standings.

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/portugal-through-to-rugby-world-cup-as-usa-dumped-out/

[shasta]

Hard to line up with with the often talked about rise of Rugby in the shooting gallery.

[jargan83]

Seems like a bit of a disaster given they've got hosting rights for the next World Cup

edit: World Cup in 2031 - not much sleep due to 1 year old

[Ham105]

Seems like a bit of a disaster given they've got hosting rights for the next World Cup

Australia 2027 suddenly gets expanded to 24 teams ... Hello?

[brokendown gunfighter]

pity they won't get to play against my fav team,Chile

[shasta]

pity they won't get to play against my fav team,Chile

They actually did play, and lost to Chile in the Americas qualifiers. That's how come they ended up in the last chance saloon. Watched on You Tube.

[chibi]

A world cup in the USA before one in Italy or Argentina???

[shasta]

A world cup in the USA before one in Italy or Argentina???

Makes more sense than football in Qatar. But the motivating factor behind both winning bids is identical.

[chibi]

Anything makes more sense than this world cup in Qatar

[AndyS]

That's for sure, especially sans drinking!

Apparently the host controls the match schedule at the RWC. Would love to see the US flip the script and make it the top teams that have to back up on the short turnarounds. They've nominally got the better depth to do so, and could make for some more interesting match-ups (noting the Georgia result!)

[brokendown gunfighter]

They actually did play, and lost to Chile in the Americas qualifiers. That's how come they ended up in the last chance saloon. Watched on You Tube.

yes,forgot about that,got my Chile jersey ready to come out of the drawer(bought it in Punta Arenas at the rugby shop there!)

[tjs10]

That's for sure, especially sans drinking!

Apparently the host controls the match schedule at the RWC. Would love to see the US flip the script and make it the top teams that have to back up on the short turnarounds. They've nominally got the better depth to do so, and could make for some more interesting match-ups (noting the Georgia result!)

It won't happen though, as the broadcasters want the best teams playing in the prime broadcast spots.

[shasta]

Maybe. But this time you're talking US primetime and their team is usually one of the outfits that gets short changed.

[tjs10]

Maybe. But this time you're talking US primetime and their team is usually one of the outfits that gets short changed.

The US aren't the biggest global interest though.

Broadcasters want the top nations playing on the weekends (even if KO times don't align with primetime hours). They don't want England or NZ playing lots of midweek games for example.

Sponsors will also be basing their exposure metrics (and therefore sponsorship $$$) on the top teams being shown on the best dates. As soon as that inherent "guarantee" goes, the value of the (current and future) sponsorship agreements plummet.

[jargan83]

Developing the game in the US is a huge interest to World Rugby, it's a big dollar market that they want to crack. Japan got a good draw in 2019 with their shortest turn around being 7 days and all bar one of their games was played in the prime time slot.

The US will 100% have a favorable draw.