Samoa and Belgium have set up a thrilling winner-takes-all showdown on 18 November for the final Rugby World Cup 2027 spot. After securing back-to-back victories in Dubai, both teams now enter a crucial five-day race to recover, regroup and prepare for one of the biggest matches in their rugby history.
Belgium produced a dramatic late comeback to defeat Brazil 30-27 on match day two of the Rugby World Cup 2027 Final Qualification Tournament, keeping their hopes alive of becoming the final team to book a ticket to Australia. The Black Devils stormed ahead 14-0 through early tries from Charlesty Berguet and captain Jean-Maurice Decubber, both converted by Matias Remue. But Brazil clawed back through strong scrum dominance and tries from Matteo Dell’Acqua and Yan Rosetti, eventually taking the lead as Belgium went down to 13 men after Berguet’s red card.
Despite the setback, Belgium showed remarkable resilience. Remue’s boot kept them in contention before he crossed out wide to push them ahead 25-20. Brazil responded through Leonel Moreno, with Lucas Tranquez giving Os Tupis a 27-25 lead entering the final stages. But Belgium refused to break. After a missed penalty, they surged again, and replacement prop Maxime Jadot powered over for the decisive try. A final defensive stand and a breakdown penalty sealed a thrilling and emotional victory for the Black Devils.
Samoa delivered a commanding performance in their 26-8 win over
Namibia, ending the
Welwitschias' Rugby World Cup 2027 hopes while keeping their own qualification dream alive. Dominant from the opening whistle, Samoa controlled every aspect of the first half, heading into the break 19-0 after tries from
Jonathan Taumateine,
Va'afauese Apelu Maliko, and
Latrell Ah-Kiong, with
Jacob Umaga adding two conversions. Namibia opened the second half with better composure, narrowing the score through a
Cliven Loubser penalty, but Samoa’s back three repeatedly neutralised their tactical kicking game with smart, composed returns.
Samoa’s ability to balance width and physicality proved decisive, highlighted by a perfectly executed maul try from
Alamanda Motuga to stretch the lead to 26-3. Although Namibia impressed with 11 breakdown turnovers and continued to fight bravely. Eventually scoring through
Jay-Cee Nell after a clever
Johan Deysel cross-kick, the Samoan defence held firm. Led by Umaga and Ah-Kiong’s sharp positioning, Samoa closed out the match with discipline, professionalism, and growing confidence. Despite losing the second half 8-7, Namibia’s spirited finish showed what might have been had they found this form earlier in the tournament.
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