The quarterfinal draw for Rugby World Cup 2021 was announced Sunday, after a thrilling pool-phase final round determined the eight teams that remain in the hunt to lift the coveted trophy in New Zealand.

At the end of the pool phase, the eight teams that have made the quarterfinals were ranked from 1-8 based on their results, with the three pool winners seeded first to third, runners-up fourth to sixth and the two best third-placed teams seventh and eighth.

The eight teams that have progressed to the knockout phase, in order of their seedings, are: New Zealand, Canada, England, France, Italy, Australia, USA and Wales.

The Rugby World Cup 2021 tournament format sees the top seeds play the No. 8 team in the quarterfinals, the second seed faces No. 7, third plays sixth and fourth meet fifth.

Whangarei's Northland Events Centre is expected to once again draw a packed crowd when it hosts the first two quarterfinals.

France will face Italy at 16:30 local time (GMT+13), and they will be followed by host New Zealand taking on Wales at 19:30.

Saturday's tripleheader saw 16, 571 fans at the Northland Events Centre - the largest attendance at a sports event at the venue since the British & Irish Lions tour in 2017 - fill the stadium to witness the Black Ferns defeat Scotland.

Auckland's Waitakere Stadium then will host the remaining two quarterfinals on Sunday, with England against Australia at 13:30 local time, followed by Canada and the United States at 16:30.

The winners will progress to the semifinals at Eden Park on Nov. 5, while the losing teams will return home.

The winner of England and Australia match will take on either Canada or the USA in the first semifinal at 16:30, with the victor of New Zealand and Wales facing either France or Italy in the second semifinal at 19:30 local time.

It is the first time Italy has reached a Rugby World Cup quarterfinal - men's or women's - and welcome news for the group of passionate supporters who have joined them in New Zealand to watch their journey.

Rugby World Cup debutants Fiji, Japan, Scotland and South Africa head home after failing to gain enough points to progress beyond the pool phase.

Tickets still are available. 

For more information or to purchase tickets, go to tickets2021.rugbyworldcup.com.