Eddie Jones, coach of Japan's rugby team, said on Tuesday that the schedule for the 2027 Rugby World Cup gives smaller teams a 'fair' chance to upset the sport's powerhouses. The tournament in Australia will feature 24 teams for the first time, with all sides getting roughly a week between matches.
Eddie Jones, head coach of Japan's national rugby team the Brave Blossoms, expressed support for the newly unveiled schedule of the 2027 Rugby World Cup. Organizers revealed the fixture list for the event in Australia, marking the first time 24 teams will compete, with every side allocated about a week between games.
On Tuesday, Jones stated that the schedule 'gives smaller teams a "fair" chance of upsetting the sport's big boys' as he aims for another upset with Japan. The Brave Blossoms have been placed in a pool alongside France, Samoa, and the United States.
Jones led Japan to a stunning victory over South Africa at the 2015 World Cup, but the team then had only four days to prepare for their next match against Scotland, which they lost. Drawing from that experience, he highlighted how the extended rest periods in the upcoming tournament could benefit underdogs. This adjustment aims to enhance fairness and competitiveness in international rugby.
