Samoa secured a spot in the 2027 Rugby World Cup following a tense 13-13 draw with Belgium in the final match of the qualification tournament held in Dubai. The Pacific Islanders advanced to the tournament with a single bonus point, ultimately finishing one point ahead of Belgium.
Both teams had previous victories against Brazil and Namibia during the tournament, but Samoa’s bonus point for the draw proved crucial, allowing them to finish with 12 points. This match marked a significant moment, as it granted Samoa the last place in the upcoming finals in Australia and denied Belgium a chance to make its World Cup debut.
Despite being strong favorites, Samoa faced a challenging game against Belgium. Replacement forward Abraham Papali’i scored Samoa’s only try, with Jacob Umaga contributing with a conversion and two penalties. However, Belgium took the lead at halftime thanks to a try from Jean-Maurice Decubber and two penalties from Matias Remue.
Samoa initially took the lead with a seventh-minute penalty from Umaga but found themselves trailing at the break. They reclaimed the lead in the second half when Papali’i scored in the 64th minute, which Umaga converted, extending Samoa’s advantage to 13-6. However, Belgium fought back, leveling the score with a try from Decubber in the 73rd minute, culminating in a gripping finale.
“It wasn’t all pretty but it was a proud effort, and we managed to get the ticket to the World Cup,” said Samoa’s captain Theo McFarland, acknowledging the fierce competition from Belgium throughout the match.
With the Rugby World Cup draw scheduled for December 3, the upcoming tournament promises to be an exciting continuation of Samoa’s rugby journey, as they prepare to showcase their skills on a global stage once again.
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