'People have different opinions': Rugby boss defends Wallabies schedule as historic All Blacks clash delayed

When Australia and New Zealand were drawn as the headline acts for Pool A in early December, Wallabies captain Harry Wilson was eager for the chance to kick off the 2027 tournament against the All Blacks in Perth.

However, Wilson "went off a little bit too early" with his wishlist.

The road to Rugby World Cup glory was officially paved for the Wallabies on Tuesday morning, with the reveal of the full 2027 tournament fixtures confirming a different path.

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Instead of a clash against their rivals, the Wallabies will instead open their World Cup campaign against minnows Hong Kong China at Perth's Optus Stadium on October 1.

This will be followed by a blockbuster with New Zealand at Accor Stadium on October 9, before concluding their pool stage against Chile at Suncorp Stadium on October 16.

The showdown in Sydney delivers a historic milestone: the first-ever pool-stage meeting between Australia and New Zealand.

The trans-Tasman showdown marks the first time in Rugby World Cup history that the Wallabies and All Blacks will battle it out before the knockout rounds.

Additionally, the tournament also marks the Wallabies' first-ever Rugby World Cup encounters with both Hong Kong China and Chile.

World Cup debutants Hong Kong China enter the tournament ranked 23rd globally, sitting just behind Belgium and Romania.

Wilson was unfazed by the shift in schedule, noting that an opening clash with Hong Kong China provides the perfect opportunity for the team to find their feet.

"It's obviously great to [play] Hong Kong in the first match, and then I guess have a week to build, which is gonna be another massive match against New Zealand," he said.

"As Australians, we love to verse New Zealand and to do it for our second match of the World Cup, it doesn't really matter.

"We'll be super excited for it and be ready for that game."

The decision to hold back the blockbuster trans-Tasman clash rather than using it to open the tournament has been questioned.

World Rugby chairman Brett Robinson defended the decision, arguing that the match creates a vital opportunity for the emerging nation to showcase their growth.

"The pools are this great opportunity where we clearly are going to have teams that are dominating, but we also have teams that are aspiring, and that's, that's our role as World Rugby is to build and grow our great global game," he said.

"The tension there with the scheduling is getting the timing right, the opportunity for accessibility, and eventually, you've got to play somewhere in your pool.

"Choices were made around that, and the team have put a lot of thought into that and clearly, you know, people will have different opinions and the sides will have different opinions, but I guess we've landed where we've landed.

"We're so excited to be kicking off in Perth on that first day in October."

Suncorp Stadium has been confirmed as a round of 16 venue for Pool A's top teams.

This placement sets up a potential heavyweight quarter-final, with the victor of the Australia-New Zealand clash likely destined to meet South Africa in the final eight.

Speaking on Nine's Today, former Wallabies captain John Eales reflected on the growing momentum behind the 2027 Rugby World Cup on home soil.

With the tournament fast approaching, Eales noted that the official fixture reveal marks a major milestone in the countdown.

"It's a pretty big day," he said.

"We're really excited about the build-up to the World Cup next year.

"I can't believe it's next year already. It just seems like not that long ago, in 2003, watching the final against England."

Wallabies star Joseph Suaalii says he is eager to experience the unifying impact of playing a home World Cup.

"We're just most excited about all Australians coming in and watching us from Perth to Brisbane to Melbourne to Sydney as well," he said.

"So, I think we're just excited just to play in home crowds and really get all Australians coming in and watching us play on home turf."

Eales was the last Wallabies captain to lift the World Cup in 1999.

Asked how the current squad can return to the top, Eales encouraged the team to lean into both their inner belief and the crucial home advantage factor.

Pointing to the side's remarkable comeback in August — where they overcame a 22-point deficit to beat South Africa 38-22 in Johannesburg — Eales argued that the Wallabies have already proven they are world-class.

For the legendary captain, the final pieces of the puzzle are now simply consistency and execution.

"What we saw last year from the Wallabies against the best in the world all through the season, like they beat the best in the world, South Africa in South Africa," he said.

"So, we've seen a team that can do it, so they know they can do it, and they've just got to keep that form up, get the basics right, keep getting it right and then just build into a World Cup and a home World Cup where you're going to have the support of your people on your doorstep. That's pretty important.

"Everyone loves playing it at home, and when they get that support, that can make a real difference."

Suaalii echoed this sentiment, highlighting that the team is no longer in a rebuilding phase but is now fine-tuning a winning formula.

"I feel like we had a great year last year with the Lions and going over to South Africa and having a great win over there, and I feel like we're building real good combinations and real connections towards the World Cup," he said.

"So, this year is a big year. But, you know, going into the year after, we've got something to play for this year, and we're just building and building that connection."

For the first time, the tournament will expand to include 24 teams and a round of 16 knockout stage, kicking off on October 23.

While Melbourne's Marvel Stadium will host eight matches — including six pool games and two round of 16 encounters — the city has notably missed out on any fixtures featuring the Wallabies.

The roadmap leads to the ultimate decider at Stadium Australia, where the world champions will be crowned on November 13.

Fans can register for tickets now via the official World Cup website.