Weekend Results
New Zealand 47 – 17 Italy
Nations Championship R2, Wellington. Jordan hat-trick, All Blacks try record. Moorby debut. Italy red card.
Australia 26 – 42 France
Nations Championship R2, Brisbane. France trail 21-12 at half-time, score 30 unanswered points to win.
Japan 20 – 36 Ireland
Nations Championship R2, Newcastle (AUS). Jansen MOTM on debut. Ireland maintain perfect record.
Fiji 8 – 73 England
Nations Championship R2, Liverpool. Pollock hat-trick off the bench. Fiji red card. England's biggest Nations Championship win.
South Africa 42 – 28 Scotland
Nations Championship R2, Pretoria. SA make 10 changes, Scotland late fightback falls short.
Argentina 35 – 21 Wales
Nations Championship R2, San Juan. Pumas bounce back emphatically after Round 1 defeat.
Game-by-Game Reports
New Zealand 47-17 Italy (Wellington): Will Jordan scored a hat-trick to become New Zealand's all-time leading try scorer, surpassing Doug Howlett's record of 49 with his 50th Test try in just his 56th match. Italy made a stunning start, taking a 10-7 lead through early tries from Tommaso Menoncello and Malik Faissal, and matched the All Blacks physically in a competitive first half. New Zealand led only 14-10 at the break. The game turned after Josh Moorby came on in the 31st minute on debut, immediately igniting the attack and combining with Cam Roigard and Jordie Barrett to set up four tries in quick succession. Italy's hopes ended further when lock Nicolo Cannone received a yellow card for a headbutt on Roigard, upgraded to red after TMO review. Jordan's third try, from a Jordie Barrett tapped penalty, broke the record. Tupou Vaa'i added a final try from a 17-phase move. Anton Segner also debuted at half-time, becoming the first player born in Germany to represent the All Blacks, with his parents flying from Frankfurt to be there in person.
LIPPY'S VIEW
The All Blacks had a slow start and gave up an early counterattack try from a knock-on. Their defense in the first quarter looked passive, absorbing Italy's attack rather than putting pressure on and taking away space. It almost seemed like they were going through the paces. Italy led 10-7 after 18 minutes and were the better team for the first 20 minutes, their line speed and defensive cohesion just smashing New Zealand and not allowing them to play their game. The Italian centres were better for the first 30 minutes and Sititi made two big mistakes to give the ball back when the All Blacks were building pressure. So many knock-ons and handling errors in the first 24 minutes. Is this the Wellington curse? It has typically not been the best home ground for the All Blacks.
Josh Moorby came on in the 31st minute on debut and immediately changed the game, his first touch putting Cam Roigard away for a try. Then at 51 minutes Moorby broke again and put Will Jordan away to make history. Two touches, two try assists on debut. Italy fell apart at 51 minutes and the All Blacks were suddenly up by 23 points. Then Will Jordan scored his hat-trick and his 50th Test try to break the All Blacks try-scoring record outright. It took Doug Howlett 62 Tests to reach 49. Jordan got to 50 in 56. A truly historic achievement.
However, it was a very error-strewn match and the All Blacks would not get away with this performance against better competition. Playing against 14 players and still unable to put them away. Then giving away a yellow card by Ruben Love to end up 14 against 14 was very poor. Lucky to have it overturned. Teams are figuring out how to defend against the All Blacks' expansive approach. That is something Dave Rennie will need to address.
Australia 26-42 France (Brisbane): France produced one of the most clinical comebacks of the Nations Championship so far, overturning a 21-12 half-time deficit to win 42-26 at Suncorp Stadium. The Wallabies used a yellow card on Emmanuel Meafou to score twice while France were reduced to 14 men, building a lead that looked commanding at the break. But Romain Ntamack, returning with the full Toulouse and Montpellier contingent now available for the first time, orchestrated a stunning second-half fightback. Aaron Grandidier-Nkanang, Florian Verhaeghe, and Theo Attissogbe all crossed as France scored three tries in a seven-minute span. Australia's Tom Wright was sin-binned and France exploited the numerical advantage ruthlessly. Jeremy Williams scored a late consolation for Australia to secure a losing bonus point.
LIPPY'S VIEW
A great contest with both sides committed to ball-in-hand rugby. The Wallabies were playing with their third or fourth choice flyhalf, with Gordon and Donaldson both out, but they are so well coached by Joe Schmidt. Significant adversity around injuries and depth, but they still front up against the best. Declan Meredith, the Brumbies flyhalf, stepped in admirably. France's indication of their ridiculous depth: a try scored by a debutant wing on his first touch.
In the first half the Wallabies looked like world beaters. An amazing half. Tom Wright with two 50/22s, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii with amazing breaks and offloads, Fraser McReight sublime and everywhere, and 21-year-old Max Jorgensen world class. For such a slight player, his defense was remarkable. What a game. Then the French hit back in the second half, with an amazing crossfield kick by Jalibert for the second try by debutant winger Aaron Grandidier-Nkanang. With Tom Wright in the sin bin, France turned the screws and broke the Wallabies down with relentless power and attack. Total ruthlessness. A ruthlessness that the All Blacks notably did not display against Italy.
One wider point: Australian-born Tom Staniforth playing for France against his own country raises the question of what is broken when some of Australia's best players are representing other nations. There are currently three Australian-born players in the France squad: Emmanuel Meafou, Tom Staniforth, and Moses Alo-Emile. France have too many weapons, but it was a genuinely exciting and fun match with both sides taking a crack from everywhere.
Japan 20-36 Ireland (Newcastle, Australia): A much-changed Ireland side made it two wins from two, handing out four test debuts in a performance that underlined the depth of Andy Farrell's squad. Debutant number eight Sean Jansen won the player of the match award with an outstanding display, scoring Ireland's fourth try on 50 minutes. Ireland led throughout, with Nick Timoney, Tom O'Toole and Robbie Henshaw crossing in the first half to build a commanding lead. Japan reduced the deficit through Taira Main and Takuro Matsunaga but were unable to close the gap as Farrell's replacements maintained the intensity.
LIPPY'S VIEW
It was close for a while. Ireland seemed to be going through the motions and Japan made too many errors. Stayed tight until the last 10 minutes before Ireland pulled away.
Fiji 8-73 England (Liverpool): England ended a run of five consecutive Test defeats with one of the most comprehensive victories in their recent history, running in 11 tries against a Fiji side reduced to 14 men after Mesulame Kuruvoli's red card in the first half. Marcus Smith and Jamie George scored early tries before Guy Pepper, Benhard Janse van Rensburg on debut, and Gus Atkinson crossed before the break. The second half belonged to Henry Pollock, who came off the bench to score a hat-trick, his 55th, 68th and 80th-minute tries completing a display of athleticism, physicality and finishing that drew comparisons to the great England opensides. Janse van Rensburg's first-touch try on debut drew headlines for the controversy surrounding his eligibility, approved by World Rugby after his South African birthplace qualification was confirmed. Fiji replied through Mesake Doge for a consolation score.
LIPPY'S VIEW
Great crowd at Liverpool, even if the question of this being Fiji's "home" match is hard to take seriously. Fiji had a shaky start with knock-ons, and for the most part it was unwatchable in the first half, with constant mistakes and stoppages and Fiji giving away penalty after penalty. Very hot conditions. Benhard Janse van Rensburg made his England debut and scored on his first touch. By the end of the first half England were on track for a point a minute. It got worse for Fiji with a red card at the end of the first half.
Henry Pollock in the second half was an absolute X factor. Pure blazing speed to score. 19-year-old Noah Caluori made his debut, made an assist for Henry Slade on his first touch and scored on his second. A remarkable athlete. Pollock's second try was also blazing speed, world class, beating a defender who is fast. Then he finished with a scintillating third. I was questioning why he does not start but it does make sense to bring him on when defenses are tiring, because he then finds space to be exceptional. No matter what you think of his social media persona, he is absolutely a difference maker and a world-class rugby player. A total X factor.
South Africa 42-28 Scotland (Pretoria): The Springboks made 10 changes from the side that beat England and still had too much for a Scotland side who gave everything but fell short again in South Africa. Scotland stunned Loftus Versfeld by surging twice into the Springbok 22 in the opening minutes, with both opportunities wasted through a double movement and a crooked lineout throw. Embrose Papier and Evan Roos crossed early before Finn Russell's brilliance began to unlock the South African defence, with Scotland scoring through Matt Fagerson and Kyle Rowe to trail 14-14 at half-time. South Africa, captained by Pieter-Steph du Toit, pulled away in the second half through Elrigh Louw, Damian Willemse, and Jesse Kriel. Scotland mounted a remarkable late fightback with Josh Bayliss and Rufus White scoring to get within seven points before Kriel sealed it. South Africa, New Zealand and Ireland are now the three sides with perfect records after two rounds. Scotland have now lost eight Tests in South Africa without a win.
LIPPY'S VIEW
With all the talk about Handre Pollard being in a slump with the Bulls, he put on a Springbok jersey and won player of the match. Oh boy. And with all these debutants and youngsters fitting in against a very good Scotland side, they just kept on fighting and hanging in there. Rassie has unlocked something very special and it will be difficult for teams to break the Boks down. Clearly they have the talent and depth, but the desire, the will, and the acceptance of going to the darkest places is what makes them truly formidable. Kudos to Scotland as well. They travelled all the way from Argentina, came into the cauldron of Loftus Versfeld, and gave a great accounting of themselves.
Argentina 35-21 Wales (Estadio San Juan del Bicentenario, San Juan): The Pumas bounced back emphatically from their Round 1 home defeat to Scotland, outscoring Wales five tries to three. Wales made the perfect start through Dewi Lake's fourth-minute try, but Argentina's superior power and physicality told as the match wore on. Bautista Delguy's brilliant one-handed catch and offload created the Pumas' second try, and three tries in a 13-minute spell either side of half-time put the match beyond Wales. Jac Morgan's try was ruled out on review before Rhys Carré and Ben Warren scored consolation efforts.
Nations Championship Standings After Round 2
| Rest of World Conference | P | W | L | PD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Africa | 2 | 2 | 0 | +38 | 10 |
| New Zealand | 2 | 2 | 0 | +32 | 10 |
| Japan | 2 | 1 | 1 | +0 | 5 |
| Argentina | 2 | 1 | 1 | +5 | 5 |
| Australia | 2 | 0 | 2 | -18 | 3 |
| Fiji | 2 | 0 | 2 | -80 | 0 |
| European Conference | P | W | L | PD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ireland | 2 | 2 | 0 | +18 | 10 |
| France | 2 | 1 | 1 | +14 | 7 |
| England | 2 | 1 | 1 | +25 | 5 |
| Scotland | 2 | 1 | 1 | -6 | 5 |
| Wales | 2 | 1 | 1 | -6 | 5 |
| Italy | 2 | 0 | 2 | -45 | 1 |
South Africa and New Zealand lead the Rest of World conference. Ireland lead the European conference with a perfect 10 points. France climb to second after their Brisbane comeback.
Junior World Championship: Semi-Finals Set
The pool stage of the Junior World Championship in Georgia concluded on Tuesday July 7, with the four semi-finalists confirmed. The four pool winners are South Africa, New Zealand, England and France. All four are the standout teams of the tournament, with South Africa the most defensively impressive side, conceding just 12 points in three pool matches. England, France and New Zealand all went through unbeaten.
The semi-finals are being played this weekend: England vs South Africa at Avchala Stadium on Sunday July 12, and France vs New Zealand at Mikheil Meskhi Stadium on Monday July 13. The final is Saturday July 18.
LIPPY'S VIEW
The final four really reflect the senior strength of world rugby. The question is whether this is a window into the relative strengths of these nations heading into the 2031 World Cup. Based on the performances of these remarkable young players, I would predict that they will be among the top four or five nations in world rugby for the next several years.
World Rugby Nations Cup: Round 2 Results
The World Rugby Nations Cup is the second-tier international competition running alongside the Nations Championship, featuring 12 nations across two pools. Georgia and Chile continued their perfect starts, Portugal and Spain both claimed their first wins, and Uruguay and Romania drew for the second time in two rounds.
USA 31 – 15 Zimbabwe
Nations Cup R2. USA make it two wins from two.
Chile 38 – 17 Hong Kong China
Nations Cup R2. Chile back up their Round 1 win comfortably.
Portugal 38 – 14 Canada
Nations Cup R2. Portugal's first win of the tournament.
Spain 32 – 19 Tonga
Nations Cup R2. Spain's first win. Tonga's unbeaten start ended.
Uruguay 36 – 36 Romania
Nations Cup R2. Second draw between these sides in two rounds.
Georgia 33 – 12 Samoa
Nations Cup R2. Georgia make it two from two. A significant Pool B statement.
Around the Grounds: What the Pundits Are Saying
Pollock the topic of the week: Henry Pollock's hat-trick against Fiji drew a wave of pundit reaction, with the Rugby-Addict Team of the Week describing his selection as the "easiest call of the round." The three tries came off the bench, continuing a pattern that has been a talking point all season: Pollock has yet to start a Test under Borthwick, despite his form. Former Springbok coach Nick Mallett had been among the critics of Borthwick's decision to bench Pollock against South Africa in Round 1, saying on the Talking Boks podcast: "I would have started Pollock. He did not need protecting." With three tries against Fiji now on his ledger, the debate about whether England's best openside should be starting is likely to intensify ahead of Argentina in Round 3.
Finn Russell described as playing the finest Test of his career: Rugby-Addict's Team of the Week named Finn Russell the standout individual of Round 2 for his performance against South Africa at Loftus Versfeld. The piece described it as arguably the finest Test match of his career, with Russell consistently unlocking the South African defence, creating both of Scotland's first-half tries and keeping the Springboks honest throughout. It also raises the question of how Scotland can be so competitive yet still unable to win in South Africa after eight attempts.
The Fiji and Japan home fixture issue refuses to go away: Several commentators this week, including Stuart Barnes in The Times, again raised the question of Fiji and Japan having to play their "home" fixtures thousands of kilometres from home. England's 73-8 win at the Hill Dickinson Stadium in Liverpool played out in front of a mostly English crowd. Japan hosted Ireland in Newcastle, New South Wales. The structural argument is simple: the tournament cannot credibly grow its Pacific and Asian constituencies while those markets are being played in front of the wrong fans.
The Nations Championship concept is working: The early verdict from UK and Southern Hemisphere rugby media is largely positive. The Breakdown NZ noted that the combination of North versus South jeopardy and the point-scoring format had created genuine competitive tension in every match. RugbyPass commentators observed that not a single game in the opening two rounds has been one-sided until late on, and that the format is generating compelling storylines: Borthwick's pressure, France's depth questions, Ireland's squad rotation. All of these will sustain interest through Round 3 and into November.
LIPPY'S VIEW
One fascinating quirk of the Nations Championship deserves attention: the All Blacks and the Springboks cannot meet in the Grand Final. Both sit in the Rest of World conference, meaning they only play European teams across all six rounds. The Grand Final will always pit the top European side against the top Rest of World side. So we could have a situation where the two best teams in the world finish first and second in the same conference and never get to settle it on the biggest stage of this competition. Fans will still get their All Blacks versus Springboks fix through the four-Test "Rugby's Greatest Rivalry" series in August and September, and New Zealand versus Australia gets the Bledisloe Cup in October. But within the Nations Championship itself, the two southern powerhouses can never meet in the final. That is a structural tension World Rugby will need to think about as the tournament evolves.
Looking Ahead
Saturday July 18: Nations Championship Round 3. New Zealand vs Ireland, Eden Park, Auckland; Japan vs France, Tokyo; Australia vs Italy, Perth; Fiji vs Scotland, Murrayfield, Edinburgh; South Africa vs Wales, Durban; Argentina vs England, Santiago del Estero.
Sunday July 12 and Monday July 13: Junior World Championship semi-finals. England vs South Africa, Avchala Stadium, Tbilisi; France vs New Zealand, Mikheil Meskhi Stadium, Tbilisi. Final is Saturday July 18.