Rugby World Cup: Ewen McKenzie believes the Wallabies must face New Zealand in the opening match of the Rugby World Cup 2027 in Perth, or risk losing the interest and excitement of Australians. The expanded 2027 tournament draw was quietly released in Sydney last week, but the full fixture list for the 24 competing nations will not be confirmed until February 3, 2026.
Don’t miss your chance to grab Rugby World Cup Tickets from eticketing.co. Witness the world’s best rugby nations compete for the Webb Ellis Cup across Australia’s iconic stadiums. Book early for the best seats and experience the thrill of world-class rugby!
Until then, speculation continues to build around how the schedule should look and how organisers can maximise the tournament’s impact from day one. England, ranked third in the world and the 2003 champions on Australian soil after their dramatic extra-time win over the Wallabies, could meet Australia in the quarterfinals.
While the draw has already hinted at blockbuster knockout clashes, expanding the World Cup from 20 to 24 teams has created concerns that the pool stages might become one-sided. The format now includes six pools of four teams, as well as the introduction of a new round of 16, which could bring more mismatched contests early on. With the pool of death era essentially gone and the two best third-place teams are advancing to the knockout round.
Rugby World Cup 2027: Wallabies vs All Blacks in Perth Should Kick Off 2027
The priority has shifted to when groups should stage their biggest head-to-head battles. The Wallabies are scheduled to launch the tournament on October 1, 2027, in Perth. However, if they open against either Chile (ranked 17th worldwide) or Hong Kong China (ranked 23rd), fears are high that a lopsided scoreline won’t capture the imagination of the crowd or the wider Australian audience.
Perth’s 60,000-seat stadium is expected to host the opening match, and many believe starting with a heavyweight rivalry is essential to set the tone for the competition. The 2027 Rugby World Cup in France demonstrated the power of a blockbuster opener. France defeated the All Blacks in the first match, and New Zealand still went on to reach the final. McKenzie, who lifted the Webb Ellis Cup as a player in 1991 and later worked in Eddie Jones’ coaching team in 2003.
Just as the Rugby World Cup 2027 will ignite Australia with excitement, football fans are counting down to the FIFA World Cup 2026. Two global tournaments. One shared passion. Explore fixtures, venues, and FIFA World Cup Tickets for football’s biggest stage. Visit eticketing.co and start your journey today.
Argued that World Rugby needs to start the 2027 tournament with a moment brimming with excitement and intensity. Only a trans-Tasman clash between Australia and New Zealand could deliver that. I cannot believe we wouldn’t open with Wallabies versus New Zealand in Perth as the first game, McKenzie said on the Rugby Unity podcast.
Rugby World Cup Final: Rugby World Cup Scheduling Aims to Maximise Fan Engagement and Match Impact
He referenced past events to support his argument, noting how in 1991 England lost their opening match to New Zealand yet still made the final. To him, the focus should not be on saving big fixtures for later but on launching the tournament with a memorable spectacle that draws fans in from the very beginning.
Wallabies captain Harry Wilson made it clear he shares McKenzie’s enthusiasm for facing their biggest rivals in the opener. However, Chris Stanley, the World Rugby tournament organisers, cautioned that the final decision won’t be rushed. Scheduling one of the tournament’s largest fixtures first might seem logical, but multiple logistical and strategic considerations must be weighed.
Get your Rugby World Cup 2027 Tickets now on eticketing.co, the trusted platform for rugby fans worldwide. Enjoy the ultimate sporting spectacle as the tournament returns to Australia in 2027. Join fans from across the globe and celebrate rugby’s biggest event live!
Stanley explained that organisers evaluate crowd expectations, stadium sizes, match atmosphere, and local support bases to determine the best placement of fixtures. The aim is not only to deliver an impactful opening match, but also to ensure strong support for games right across the round-robin stages. While a massive Australia–New Zealand clash would undoubtedly draw huge numbers, playing it later in the pool stage could extend interest in Pool A for a longer period.
Rugby World Cup: Experts Say Australia vs New Zealand Should Set the Tone for 2027 World Cup
He emphasised that the venue’s size is not the only thing on the checklist. The tournament committee must consider where fans are located around the country, how many spectators from different communities might attend a game, and how to ensure strong atmospheres in several stadiums rather than concentrating everything into one moment.
Broadcasting considerations also play a crucial part, as the time zones and scheduling preferences for international audiences influence match timings. Many things go into it besides stadium size, Stanley said. We consider the local population, diaspora, where supporters are living, match timing, and broadcasting priorities. We want a tournament where every game feels meaningful, not just the opener.
Still, many within the rugby community believe that although spreading interest is important, nothing beats opening night drama. With both Australia and New Zealand aiming to reassert themselves on the world stage, beginning the Rugby World Cup 2027 with a trans-Tasman showdown would be a fitting statement that this edition is breaking new ground.
Rugby World Cup 2027 Tickets are now available at eticketing.co! Be part of the excitement as Australia hosts the biggest rugby tournament in the world. Secure your seats today and witness the world’s top rugby nations battle for the Webb Ellis Cup. Don’t miss this chance to experience world-class rugby live in action!