In front of 4,000 fans in Glendale, Colorado, los Cóndores of Chile downed the US Eagles 31-29 in a riotous game to secure a place in France next year, 52-51 on aggregate over two qualifying matches. The Americans, who will host the men’s World Cup in 2031 and the women two years later, can still qualify but must do so through the last-chance repechage event.
World Rugby, which has nine years to sell its game to the American public, will be hugely concerned – and hugely delighted for Chile, who were mightily impressive in their resilience and verve before their pack, battered all day, rose to win the penalty that won a World Cup spot.
