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Samoa Have qualified for 2027 rugby world cup By the smallest margin after the tie at 13-13 belgium In the last match of the final qualification tournament, advancing on one bonus point.
Samoa and Belgium both defeated Brazil and Namibia in their first games over the last 10 days in Dubai, but the Pacific Islanders remained one point ahead of their European rivals with 12 after earning an extra bonus point.
They secured the 24th and last berth in the 2027 finals in Australia, denying Belgium the chance to make their World Cup debut.
Samoa, which has appeared in all but one of the last 10 World Cups, were favourites, but were forced to fight for every inch of the lead in the deciding game of the four-team tournament.
Replacement forward Abraham Papalii scored Samoa’s only try with Jacob Umaga scoring a conversion and two penalties as they trailed 6–3 at halftime.
Belgium’s points came from Jean-Maurice Decuber’s try and the boot of Mattias Rameau, who scored two penalties and a conversion.
Samoa went ahead thanks to a penalty from former England international Umaga in the seventh minute but two penalties from Ramu gave Belgium the lead at the break.
Samoa finally took the lead again in the 64th minute through Papale’i and kept the pressure on thanks to a goal from Umaga.
The fullback then converted a penalty to cut the lead to 13–6, but Belgium hit back in the 73rd minute through Decubert’s effort to level the score and set up a dramatic finale as they looked for the win they needed to clinch a surprise qualification.
Samoa captain Theo McFarland said, “It wasn’t all pretty but it was a proud effort and we managed to punch a ticket to the World Cup.” “To be fair, Belgium gave us the whole game.”
reuters