CHILE INTRODUCTION
History-makers! Chile will make their Rugby World Cup debut at France 2023 after qualifying as Americas 2. Los Cóndores created history by recovering from 19-0 down in the second leg in Glendale, Colorado, to beat USA 31-29 and secure qualification for RWC 2023 with a 52-51 aggregate win.
Chile had already beaten Canada earlier in the Americas process, triumphing 54-46 on aggregate to end the North American side’s ever-present record on the Rugby World Cup stage.
Led by captain Martin Sigren and with such exciting backs as fly-half Rodrigo Fernandez and winger Santiago Videla – who kicked the winning penalty in Glendale – in their ranks, Chile have made great process under coach Pablo Lemoine, who both played for and coached Uruguay at a Rugby World Cup.
Los Cóndores take their place in Pool D and will play England, Japan and Samoa for the first time as well as face Argentina in the first all-South American match in Rugby World Cup history.