What Is 2019 Rugby World Cup qualifying

Overview

The 2019 Rugby World Cup qualifying process was a multi-year global competition involving over 50 national teams vying for 20 tournament spots. Hosted in Japan, the tournament required a structured qualification system to ensure representation from all World Rugby regions.

Twelve teams earned automatic qualification based on their performance in the 2015 Rugby World Cup, while the remaining eight spots were determined through regional tournaments and a final repechage playoff. The process spanned from 2016 to 2018, involving six regional zones: Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, Oceania, and a global playoff.

• Automatic qualifiers: The 12 teams that reached the quarterfinals in 2015, including New Zealand, Australia, and England, qualified directly for 2019.
• Host nation status: Japan qualified automatically as host, marking the first time an Asian nation hosted the tournament.
• Regional representation: Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and Oceania each had designated qualification pathways to ensure geographic diversity.
• Repechage tournament: A four-team final playoff in November 2018 determined the last qualifier, won by Canada after defeating Kenya.
• Participation: A total of 57 national teams participated in the qualification process, the highest number in Rugby World Cup history.

How It Works

The qualification system combined automatic berths with regional competitions and global playoffs to ensure fairness and inclusivity across all levels of international rugby.

• Automatic Qualification: Teams that reached the 2015 Rugby World Cup quarterfinals earned direct entry. This included powerhouses like South Africa, France, and Wales.
• Regional Tournaments: Each of World Rugby’s six regions hosted tiered competitions, with winners advancing to higher stages. For example, the Americas had two direct spots.
• Repechage: The final qualification route involved a four-team round-robin tournament in November 2018, featuring Canada, Hong Kong, Kenya, and Germany.
• Points System: Teams earned points based on match outcomes, with bonus points awarded for scoring four or more tries or losing by seven points or fewer.
• World Rugby Rankings: Rankings influenced seeding in qualification pools, affecting draw fairness and competitive balance throughout the process.
• Match Scheduling: Qualifiers were played between July 2016 and November 2018, with regional windows aligned to the international calendar.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of qualification methods across five major regions:

The table highlights disparities in regional access, with the Americas and Europe offering more direct spots. Oceania’s competitive nature often forced strong teams like Tonga into repechage, while Asia struggled to advance beyond early stages.

Why It Matters

Qualifying for the 2019 Rugby World Cup had significant implications for player development, funding, and global visibility in emerging rugby nations.

• Increased exposure: Teams like Uruguay and Namibia gained unprecedented media coverage, boosting domestic interest and sponsorship.
• Funding boost: World Rugby allocated development grants to participating nations, enhancing grassroots programs in countries such as Kenya and Germany.
• Competitive parity: The repechage system allowed underdog nations a final chance, promoting inclusivity in a sport dominated by traditional powers.
• Player pathways: Emerging athletes from Canada and Hong Kong gained opportunities to play against top-tier opposition, accelerating professional development.
• Global growth: The process reinforced rugby’s expansion goals, with 20 nations on the global stage, including debutants like Russia.
• Legacy impact: Japan’s hosting and inclusive qualification inspired new markets, contributing to rugby’s Olympic reinstatement momentum.

The 2019 qualification cycle set a benchmark for future tournaments, emphasizing fairness, global representation, and the sport’s evolving international footprint.