Winless Namibia escape the repechage

WORLD Rugby have finalised the qualifying procedure for RWC2023 and although the dislocation of Covid-19 means it must remain a little flexible in terms of dates it has a largely familiar look to that which operated for RWC2019.

We have 12 teams pre-qualified so the process is to determine the remaining eight sides, essentially through a series or regional qualifying tournaments, and the headline news is probably the retention of the repechage tournament to determine the last of those eight places.

The last chance saloon quadrangular tournament made an enjoyable debut in 2018 in Marseilles where the weather gods were not kind but the rugby was hard and competitive. There was even a thought of extending it to eight teams but the organisers have resisted for now.

The failure of Georgia to secure an automatic qualifying spot by finishing third or better in their pool in Japan will have a significant knock-on effect. Assuming the Lelos win the REC championship – as they always do – that leaves just one other European nation fighting for the other automatic spot. Get ready for a fiesty shoot out between Russia, Romania, Spain and even possibly fast improving Portugal. The third place team will enter the playoff and repechage process and you would think would be very strong contenders.

The Americas have fared well again. With Argentina an automatic qualifier there are two guaranteed spots for USA, Canada, Uruguay and Brazil to contest and the third placed side among that quartet will get a final shot at a place via the repechage.

Oceania will have one direct spot, but realistically two. The winner of Samoa vs Tonga will qualify with the loser facing an Asia/Pacific opponent to determine who qualifies as Oceania 2. As Fiji are pre-qualified it looks good for that part of the world.

Finally, Africa retains its one automatic spot aside from the Springboks and that has caused a little debate. Namibia, who have yet to win a match in six World Cup finals, are virtually guaranteed winners of the African championship every year but some feel that should only guarantee them a place in the repechage or an intermediary play-off. World Rugby continue to resist such calls.