<h2>Wallabies Drawn to Face All Blacks in Historic Rugby World Cup First - Three Point Summary:</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>- Wallabies drawn with All Blacks, Chile and Hong Kong in Pool A for Rugby World Cup 2027.</p> <p>- Historic first-time pool meeting between Australia and New Zealand in World Cup history.</p> <p>- New 24-team format introduces knockout round of 16 stage for expanded tournament.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Wallabies will face traditional rivals New Zealand alongside debutants Hong Kong and Chile when the Rugby World Cup 2027 kicks off in Australia next October.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Historic Trans-Tasman Pool Battle Set for 2027</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Rugby World Cup 2027 draw has delivered a blockbuster Pool A matchup between Australia and New Zealand, marking the first time these fierce rivals have been grouped together in World Cup pool play.&nbsp;</p> <p>The draw, conducted at Nine headquarters in North Sydney on Wednesday evening, saw World Rugby chief Brett Robinson pull the All Blacks from the hat alongside the host nation Wallabies.</p> <p>This historic pairing promises to be the tournament's standout pool fixture, with a potential opening night clash in Perth on October 1 being discussed as the perfect curtain-raiser.&nbsp;</p> <p>The Wallabies, currently ranked seventh globally, will be desperate to avoid a repeat of their 2023 World Cup disappointment where they failed to progress beyond the pool stages in France.</p> <p>"It would immediately excite players, it would excite all the fans, you're likely to get an influx coming across the Tasman and you're going to get great support," said Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt during Stan Sport's coverage. "I think it would be a great way to kick it off."</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>New Format Creates Fresh Opportunities</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The expanded 24-team Rugby World Cup format introduces a round of 16 knockout phase for the first time, providing additional pathways for teams to progress.&nbsp;</p> <p>The top two nations from each pool will automatically qualify for the knockout rounds, alongside the four best third-placed finishers.</p> <p>This structural change should benefit the Wallabies' progression chances, though their pool opponents present interesting challenges.&nbsp;</p> <p>Hong Kong will make their World Cup debut after dominating Korea 70-22 in the Asia Rugby Championship final, while Chile represents uncharted territory for Australian rugby, with no previous encounters between the nations.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Coaching Transition and Tournament Implications</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Joe Schmidt will oversee three more Test matches before Queensland Reds coach Les Kiss assumes control ahead of the World Cup.&nbsp;</p> <p>The coaching handover timeline ensures continuity while providing fresh leadership for the home tournament.</p> <p>The pool dynamics create intriguing knockout scenarios. Should the Wallabies finish as pool runners-up, they would likely face Japan in the round of 16 before a potential quarter-final against England.&nbsp;</p> <p>However, topping the pool could set up a quarter-final collision course with world number one South Africa, who were drawn with Italy, Georgia and Romania in Pool B.</p> <p>Other notable pool compositions include Ireland facing Scotland in Pool D, while defending champions South Africa received a favourable draw.&nbsp;</p> <p>England, winners when the tournament was last held in Australia in 2003, will contest Pool F alongside Wales, Tonga and Zimbabwe.</p> <p>The tournament will span seven Australian cities, with the complete fixture schedule to be announced next year. For rugby punters and fans alike, the Wallabies versus All Blacks pool encounter shapes as the early highlight of what promises to be a memorable home World Cup.</p>