Other Rugby world Nations
The Other Nations selection brings together rugby teams that are outside of the Tournament and the Rugby Championship: Japan's Brave Blossoms, the Tonga and Samoa from the Pacific, the Lobos from Portugal, Los Leones from Spain and the Euskarians from the Basque Country, as well as balls in the colours of Canada and Uruguay. A page for the supporters of nations that challenge the global hierarchy.
The rugby of emerging nations.
The World Cup exploits that revealed these nations
The World Cup has written the legend of these teams. In 1991, Samoa defeated Wales 16 to 13 in Cardiff; in 2011, Tonga dominated France 19 to 14 in Wellington; in 2015, Japan overturned South Africa 34 to 32 in Brighton, before reaching its first quarter-final at home in 2019. In 2023, Portugal celebrated its first victory in the competition, 24 to 23 against Fiji, thanks to a try from Rodrigo Marta two minutes before the end.
The nations
The other nations include:
Also check out the VI Nations and the Rugby Championship.
Canada and Uruguay: two Americas nations on the ball
The balls in the colours of Canada and Uruguay highlight two nations from the Americas. Known as Los Teros, after a bird from the Uruguayan plains, Uruguay has qualified for most recent World Cups and defeated Fiji 30 to 27 in 2019 in Kamaishi. Canada, a quarter-finalist in 1991, relies heavily on its women's team, a finalist in the World Cup in 2014 and 2025. These supporter balls are great for passing between friends or decorating a shelf of an international rugby enthusiast.
From Japan to the Basque Country, very different rugby cultures
Each nation on this page has its own rugby culture. Japan leans on the Japan Rugby League One, a professional league launched in 2022 that attracts internationals from all over the world. Tonga and Samoa, united since 2022 under the Moana Pasifika franchise in Super Rugby, open their matches with the sipi tau and the siva tau. In the Iberian Peninsula, Portugal and Spain meet in the Rugby Europe Championship, and the Euskarians, created in 1997, bring together Basque players from both sides of the Pyrenees.
Good deals
Good deals can be found in good plans, promotions, clearance, sales, Black Friday. The new arrivals showcase the latest collections, and items shipped in 24h are packed and dispatched within 24 hours. The highlights of the year follow a stable order: Black Friday at the end of autumn, the holiday season, winter sales, the French Days of spring, then the summer sales and back-to-school.
Frequently asked questions
How many teams in the 2027 World Cup?
Twenty-four, compared to twenty in previous editions. This expansion opens the competition to more emerging nations, and Spain takes advantage of this to return to the tournament for the second time in its history.
Why do players switch teams?
Since 2022, a player already selected can represent the country where they, one of their parents or grandparents was born, after three years without selection. Tonga and Samoa have thus welcomed players who previously played for other teams.
What is the Pacific Nations Cup?
A competition created in 2006 that brings together the Pacific nations, Fiji, Samoa and Tonga, with Japan and, depending on the editions, Canada and the United States. It provides these teams with regular high-level tests.
Are the Euskarians an official team?
No, they do not belong to any federation recognized by World Rugby. They play friendly matches, such as against Uruguay in Getxo in 2015, to promote Basque rugby internationally.
Is Japan still an emerging nation?
Not really: a quarter-finalist in 2019 and invited to the Nations Championship, it has established itself among the significant teams. Its professional league attracts internationals every year from top level.
