Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt could be the centre of a trans-Tasman tug-of-war after Australia and New Zealand were pitted in the same group at a Rugby World Cup for the very first time. The southern hemisphere superpowers will both be unbackable favourites to beat minnows Chile and Hong Kong China in their other two pool matches, leaving the winners of the Bledisloe Cup-like battle certain to top the group. If they lose to New Zealand, the hosts would likely meet Eddie Jones's Japan in the round of 16, then England in the quarters and either Ireland or Argentina in the semifinals.
Author: ABC News
Published at: 2025-12-03 21:30:02
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