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The Tri Nations clash between reigning champs South Africa and New Zealand might affect the world’s top three teams, while the RWC qualification process enters its final phase and will impact countries ranked below the Eagles.
A place in Pool B alongside Argentina, England, Scotland and Georgia beckons for the winner of the playoff final, contested home and away in November, but first Romania must tackle Tunisia and Uruguay take on Kazakhstan this Saturday to decide who will reach the final hurdle.
Romania, who have qualified for all six previous Rugby World Cups, enter the cross-continental playoffs courtesy of finishing third in this year’s European Nations Cup behind Georgia and Russia, who have both qualified for RWC 2011.
Uruguay, who lost out to Portugal in the repechage for Rugby World Cup 2007, have competed at the 1999 and 2003 tournaments and are looking to record a victory against HSBC Asian 5 Nations runners-up Kazakhstan to progress to the playoff final in November.
It is the first time that the two nations have met at Test level.
The winners from the two matches this weekend will progress to the playoff final in November, which will be contested home and away.
