New Zealand: Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027
Rugby heads to Australia in 2027, and just across the Tasman Sea sit one of the most feared sides in the tournament’s history. New Zealand arrive at Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 chasing a record-equalling fourth title, and they have been drawn into a pool headlined by a first-ever World Cup meeting with hosts Australia. Here is your complete guide.
1. New Zealand’s Rugby World Cup history
New Zealand are three-time world champions, having lifted the Webb Ellis Cup at the inaugural tournament in 1987, again on home soil in 2011, and once more in 2015. For long stretches, the All Blacks have set the standard every other nation measures itself against.
The most recent chapter still stings, however. New Zealand fell agonisingly short at Men’s Rugby World Cup 2023, beaten 12-11 by South Africa in a titanic final. Expect a side hungry to put that right.
2. New Zealand’s Pool A fixtures: who, where and when
Here is where and when New Zealand play, with all kick-off times in local Australian time:
● New Zealand v Chile — Perth Stadium, Perth | Boorloo — Saturday, 2 October, 2027 — kick-off 13:15 local
● New Zealand v Australia — Stadium Australia, Sydney | Wangal — Saturday, 9 October, 2027 — kick-off 17:10 local
● New Zealand v Hong Kong China — Docklands Stadium, Melbourne | Narrm — Friday, 15 October, 2027 — kick-off 17:15 local
New Zealand open against a spirited Chile in Perth | Boorloo, but all eyes are on week two. New Zealand v Australia at the 82,000-capacity Stadium Australia in Sydney | Wangal is the first time the trans-Tasman rivals have ever met in a World Cup pool stage. They round off the pool against debutants Hong Kong China in Melbourne | Narrm.
3. Players to watch
Captain Ardie Savea is one of the finest forwards on the planet and a genuine talisman, leading the side from the front. Alongside him, the finishing of Will Jordan and the dynamism of back-rower Wallace Sititi give New Zealand real cutting edge.
Behind the scrum, scrum-half Cam Roigard and the emerging Ruben Love bring spark and control, with the classy Rieko Ioane a constant threat in midfield.
4. Current form: where New Zealand stand
New Zealand are in a new era. In an unprecedented move, Scott Robertson was removed as head coach in January 2026, with New Zealand Rugby fearing the side was not on course to win the 2027 title. Dave Rennie has taken charge, and Ardie Savea has assumed the captaincy from the injured Scott Barrett.
Rennie’s side beat Ireland 40-21 at Eden Park in July, then pushed South Africa all the way in the “Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry” series — winning the opening Test before narrow defeats in Cape Town (33-26) and Soweto (29-24) left them 2-1 down with a fourth Test to come. On their day, few teams still generate the same aura.
5. Back the tournament with Gilbert
Gilbert designed the official match ball for Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027, and the Rugby World Cup 2027 Replica Ball brings that same iconic design to your back garden, your club, or the trophy shelf. Explore the full Rugby World Cup collection and our New Zealand range, and keep an eye out — our Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 range is growing, with more tournament and nation product landing through the season.
[carousel]
More from the Gilbert news hub: With New Zealand and South Africa renewing rugby’s fiercest rivalry right now, revisit Is This Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry? All Blacks v South Africa, and follow the news hub as we profile all 24 nations heading to Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027.
