Draw sends Manu Samoa to 2027 Rugby World Cup

Samoa claimed their 2027 Rugby World Cup ticket with a hard fought 13-13 draw against Belgium in Dubai on Wednesday morning.

Replacement Abraham Papali'i had scored the decisive try in the 63rd minute after Belgium had led 6-3 at half time.

But Belgium hit back with a try through number six and captain Jean-Maurice Decubber with six minutes to go, with flyhalf Matias Remue kicking the conversion to level terms.

The result means Samoa heads to their 10th Rugby World Cup and denied Belgium their first-ever appearance.

Papali'i, who plays for Castres Olympique in France, finished off a number of pick and drives by the Samoan forwards, which included former Wallaby Scott Sio, captain Theo McFarland, Miracle Failangi and replacement hooker Sama Malolo.

It was pressure all the way for the Samoans, especially in the last five minutes as Belgium kept coming back into the game.

Defeated captain Decubber said they gave their all, throwing everything into the game.

"We will try to come back in 2031," he stated.

Samoan captain McFarland said the job is done, with their focus on securing the world cup ticket.

"Wasn't all pretty today but just proud of the effort from the boys," he said.

"The goal was to qualify for the world cup."

McFarland said Belgium was a strong challenge and their opponents gave them a tough time throughout the game.

"We spoke all week about giving Belgum the respect," he said.

"Credit to Belgium they got stuck in it and am proud of the boys for sticking in it for the whole 80 minutes.

"We take the ticket to the World Cup.

"Massively important for us. This year we had all sorts of pressure and has been a challenging year for us, been tough."

The Samoans were lucky in the end as Belgium never gave up, and kept crawling back into the game.

Belgium led 6-3 at halftime with two successful penalty kicks from flyhalf Matias Remue.

Samoa had taken an early lead from a Jacob Umaga kick but the fullback missed a number of other kicks that could have given them a better advantage.

Remue gave his side their first points as Samoa lost flanker Niko Jones to the sideline through a yellow card for 10 minutes.

Belgium were strong in the first quarter of the game, and disrupted Samoa's forward drives, stealing the ball in the rucks.

But they also had to play with 14 players for 10 minutes after winger Isaac Montoisy was yellow carded for an illegal tackle in a ruck in the 22nd minute.

Samoa had the first opportunity to score a try but winger Vaafauese Apelu Maliko lost the ball forward in a double Belgium tackle as he dived over the line, following a scrum win right in front of the Belgian posts.

Flanker Miracle Failangi and number eight Iakopo Petelo-Mapu featured in two good runs as Samoa sought the Belgian line but good ruck wins by Belgium captain Decubber and fiery halfback Julien Berger saw the opportunities defused.

Remue added three more points in the 31st minute but missed another in the 39th minute as the Red Devils headed off the field leading 6-3.

Loose ball

Samoa were guilty of losing the ball in contact as the second half resumed, with Lolamilo Lolamilo spilling forward after a good lineout win.

But they also defended strongly inside their 22-metre zone as Belgium had them on the back foot.

Claiming turnovers in that five-minute period saw them defuse a sure Belgium try.

However, the side was also guilty of not being able to control the ball in hand, and a kick out on the full in the 56th minute by halfback Johnathan Taumateine compounded the problem for the Samoans.

A scrum win by the Belgium forward pack in the 58th gave them the chance to drive into the Samoa 22m zone again but a turnover saw replacement Taleni Seu run away with the ball.

Papali'i dived under the posts after a number of forward drives and pick and go from Sio, Papalii, Failangi and captain McFarland. Umaga converted as Samoa claimed the lead at 10-6.

Umaga missed one penalty attempt in the 65th minute but shot from in front on the 22-metre line to extend Samoa's lead to 13-6.

Belgium scored a try with time still on the clock but missed out in the end as the draw gave Samoa enough points to make it to Australia 2027.