00:00Wales entered the 2027 World Cup draw, positioned 11th in the latest Rugby World Rankings,
00:09a spot confirmed by recent results despite a heavy defeat to New Zealand.
00:14The ranking ensured Wales cannot rise into the top 10 or fall further,
00:19with Japan's narrow win over Georgia reshuffling the lower seedings and leaving Georgia 13th.
00:24The expanded 24-team tournament introduces a round of 16, giving more nations a shot at the knockout stages.
00:32Two top teams from each pool will progress, joined by the four best in third-placed nations.
00:38The knockout pairings will see pool winners face third-team's place initially,
00:42while runners-up could meet other runners-up or winners depending on pool outcomes.
00:48Observers have noted that some pathways could create an imbalance,
00:52such as the winner of Pool E, facing second-place teams in both the round of 16 and quarter-finals.
00:59Wales will need to navigate these challenges with a squad stretched by absences.
01:03Head coach Steve Tandy will be without 13 players for the clash against South Africa,
01:09which falls outside World Rugby's designated international window.
01:14Back three options are limited, with Louis Rees-Zamit back at Bristol and Josh Adams suspended.
01:20Scarlet's wing Ellis Mee, 22, will be among one of the new call-ups.
01:25Mee, who has contributed against Ireland in the last six nations,
01:29is impressed with the Scarlets with his aerial ability and broken field running.
01:33He's expected to add deaths to Wales' attack.
01:35Tandy is also likely to add reinforcements in the forwards with Nicky Smith and Rhys Kerr of unavailable.
01:45Well, our spraises, Garen Phillips and James Ratti are strong contenders to join the squad.
01:51Tandy said they are world champions, so we might have to get a few reinforcements in.
01:56We'll chat as a coaching group and with the medical staff.
01:59With the World Cup draw and Wales facing delicate balancing act,
02:04integrating new talent while managing absences and injuries ahead of a season,
02:09there will be the test of depth and resilience of the squad.
02:12Tandy said they are the best.
02:15Tandy said they are the best.
02:15Tandy said they are the best.
02:16Tandy said they are the best.
02:17Tandy said they are the best.
02:18Tandy said they are the best.
02:19Tandy said they are the best.
02:20Tandy said they are the best.
02:21Tandy said they are the best.
02:22Tandy said they are the best.
02:23Tandy said they are the best.
02:24Tandy said they are the best.
02:25Tandy said they are the best.
02:26Tandy said they are the best.
02:27Tandy said they are the best.
02:28Tandy said they are the best.
02:29Tandy said they are the best.
02:30Tandy said they are the best.
02:31Tandy said they are the best.
02:32Tandy said they are the best.
02:33Tandy said they are the best.
02:34Tandy said they are the best.
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