Australia
Probably the most intriguing of the four options for rugby neutrals but maybe the least desirable for All Blacks fans considering the two sides face off so often. The Bledisloe Cup rivals, however, have never met in pool play. Their four previous meetings at the World Cup have either been at the semifinal or final stage, the last being the 2015 final. The Wallabies are coming off the embarrassment of being knocked out in pool play in 2023, while losing a record 10 tests this year.
Fiji
It would be nice to see the All Blacks play a Pacific nation in pool play that isn’t Tonga, with whom they have shared the same pool five times now. The All Blacks haven’t played Fiji at the World Cup since 1987 and have never played Samoa, who could come out of band four. The All Blacks played Fiji in San Diego last year, a 47-5 win, and have played them just six times since 2000. Currently ranked eighth in the world.
Scotland
New Zealand and Scotland have been drawn in the same pool just once, which was in 2007 when the Scots played a weakened lineup in a 40-0 defeat at Edinburgh to prepare for a vital pool game against Italy six days later. Previously the Scots had a knack of being knocked out by the All Blacks, losing quarter-finals in 1987, 1995 and 1999. The Scots are probably the strongest team in this band, going off recent clashes.
Italy
It just wouldn’t be a World Cup without Italy and the All Blacks being drawn in the same pool. It happened in 1987, 1991, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2019 and 2023. The 2019 clash didn’t go ahead because of the threat of Typhoon Hagibis, while the All Blacks put 96 points on them at the last tournament to all but end their World Cup hopes. The closest Italy have gotten to beating the All Blacks was the 31-21 defeat at Leicester’s Welford Road Stadium in 1991.
Wales
Benefited from an early World Cup draw for the last World Cup when they were in the top band three years out from the event. How times have changed, as Wales now sit ranked 11th in the world. They were grouped with the All Blacks in 1995 and 2003, the last time Australia hosted the World Cup. The All Blacks just beat them in Cardiff and are scheduled to meet again at the end of 2026 – just like Scotland. Not sure we need to see this clash three years in a row.
Japan
An Eddie Jones-coached team on Australian soil. Who knows? The Aussie recently said they should be targeting the semifinals. Japan pushed Australia last month going down 19-15 but were soundly beaten by Ireland. Were in the same group as New Zealand in 1995 and 2011. Went down to the All Blacks 64-19 last year.
Band three
Georgia
Their only test against the All Blacks was at the 2015 Rugby World Cup when Julian Savea scored a hat-trick. Didn’t have a great tournament in 2023, failing to record a win for the first time since 2003, which was their debut. Georgia went close to beating Japan over the weekend, losing 25-23.
Spain
Have never played the All Blacks and their only World Cup appearance was in 1999 when they finished last behind South Africa, Scotland and Uruguay. Earned their spot at the 2027 tournament after reaching the semifinals of the Rugby Europe Men’s Championship 2025. Have recent wins over Canada and US while they pushed Fiji over the weekend before going down 41-33.
Uruguay
Met in France two years ago with the All Blacks closing out pool play with a 73-0 thrashing. That’s their only clash to date.
US
The only time they were in the same group was in 1991, for those who don’t remember Terry Wright scored a hat-trick while Mark Williams knocked over a couple of penalties for the US in a 46-6 defeat. They haven’t won a World Cup game since 2011, when they beat Russia in New Plymouth, and didn’t qualify for the last event. They are the hosts of the 2031 World Cup.
Chile
Another side who have never played the All Blacks, Chile made their World Cup debut in 2023 and were in a tough group with England, Argentina, Japan and Samoa, which resulted in four defeats and a points difference of -188. They did score four tries! They have an amazing 0-40 record against Argentina.
Tonga
Tonga have made a regular thing of being in the All Blacks pool – 1999, 2003, 2011 and 2015. The All Blacks last played them in 2021, which was a 102-0 win.
Band 4
Samoa
Have qualified for the past nine World Cups but never been grouped with the All Blacks. Would be a great occasion with massive fan support if they got the ABs in 2027. Went so close to upsetting England in 2023 after narrow defeats to Argentina and Japan.
Canada
Four times they have played the All Blacks at the World Cup and the most memorable things is probably Ardie Savea wearing goggles in the 2019 meeting, which was the last time the two countries faced off.
Portugal
Their only test against the All Blacks was in 2003 when New Zealand crossed over 16 times but the highlight of the match was when Portugal’s Goncalo Malheiro kicked a dropped goal in the 22nd minute. If only he’d kicked 34 more. Portugal did earn their first World Cup win in 2023, edging out Fiji 24-23 and “only” went down to Australia by 20 points.
Romania
The 2007 World Cup was the last time they were grouped with New Zealand when the All Blacks ran in 13 tries in Toulouse. Haven’t had a World Cup win since 2015. Conceded an average of 64 points a game at the 2023 tournament.
Zimbabwe
Return to the Rugby World Cup after missing the past eight editions, taking the spot of Namibia. Have yet to win a game at the World Cup, the closest being a 21-20 defeat to Romania in their first match in 1987.
Hong Kong China
Rugby World Cup newcomers and currently ranked 23rd in the world. Have won the Asia Rugby Championship the past six times.
What we’d like to see
A strong pool to test the All Blacks with at least one Pacific side:
New Zealand
Scotland
Georgia
Samoa
What we don’t want to see
A near 2023-repeat…but without France.
New Zealand
Italy
Uruguay
Zimbabwe
What AI predicts
New Zealand
Japan
Uruguay
Romania