Five must-watch Nations Cup matches as an All Black dons new colours

The inaugural Nations Cup kicks off this Saturday with 12 teams involved in what is expected to be an exhilarating and dramatic race to the top.

But with three action-packed weekends on our doorstep, what games deserve the main spotlight? Between longtime rivalries and fierce showdowns, find out what our picks are!

Tonga vs Zimbabwe (July 4, 11.15 PM GMT)

Over the next 14 months, Tonga and Zimbabwe will be facing each other twice, as not only are they due to clash this weekend, but they will also be entangled in pool F of the upcoming Rugby World Cup.

With Tonga being viewed as the favourites, can Pieter Benade’s Sables provide a massive shock in the opening weekend of the Nations Cup? Zimbabwe arrive in the United States with an action-packed roster led by scrum-half Hilton Mudariki and utility back Ian Prior, who are fancying their chances of earning their first-ever win over Tonga.

However, can they beat a team that will feature the likes of Otununu Pauta, Philip Kite, Adam Coleman, Augustine Pulu, Patrick Pellegrini and Pita Ahki, amongst other international superstars? Even though Ben Tameifuna isn’t available for selection due to a shoulder injury, Tonga have enough firepower to run the show come July 4 and set the tone for the 2027 Rugby World Cup.

Fixture

World Rugby Nations Cup

Tonga

15:15

4 Jul 26

Zimbabwe

All Stats and Data

It won’t be so much a clash of styles as a clash of wills, with Zimbabwe eager to showcase their ambition while Tonga look to assert dominance from the very start.

Romania vs Uruguay (July 11, 6 PM GMT)

It is potentially one of the greatest transatlantic rivalries born in the 2000s, as Stejarii and Teros have locked horns 16 times since 2008, with the Eastern Europeans still in the lead – 9 wins for them, 6 for Uruguay and 1 draw.

But have the roles changed since their first meet-up, as Uruguay seem to be on the rise while Romania have been experiencing challenging times at all levels. Uruguay have come out on top in the last five encounters, earning one of their biggest results ever when they trounced Romania 70-8 just one year ago.

Coached by Rodolfo Ambrosio, Uruguay have clinched more than a few top-level results, edging ever closer to the top 10 nations in the World.

Nonetheless, only a fool would second?guess Romania’s ability to turn things around, as they recently pushed Spain and Georgia and look far better compared to 12 months ago.

With Marius Simionescu, Hinckley Vaovasa and Jason Tomane back in the fold, the Stejarii have the tools to challenge their Teros rivals, who are chasing a seventh consecutive win.

Chile vs Hong Kong China (July 11, 11 PM GMT)

Another upcoming World Cup match-up that will have its first iteration in the 2026 Nations Cup, Chile and Hong Kong China will wrestle for a third time, with the victor taking the lead in the head-to-head – Hong Kong China won in 2017, 13-6, while Chile collected a 22-17 victory two years ago.

Pablo Lemoine’s Chile are one of the most entertaining and determined emerging nations in the World, having shown their intent to challenge the odds and become one of the main rugby flagbearers of South America.

On the other hand, Hong Kong China have made the right strides in its growth, developing an outstanding high?performance and youth pathway system that is already delivering results.

So, do either hold any advantage ahead of their clash on July 11? While Logan Asplin’s Hong Kong China side deserve credit, Chile are currently a level above, strengthened by standout talents such as Diego Escobar, Rodrigo Fernández and Santiago Videla.

Nonetheless, Test match rugby has the power to produce more than a few shocks, and we might get one in two weeks.

Georgia vs Samoa (July 11, 8 PM GMT)

This will be the seventh time Georgia and Samoa share the same field, with the Lelos holding a narrow one?win advantage in the head?to?head, although Samoa edged their last encounter in 2017 (20–19).

Samoa will arrive in South America without Theo McFarland, Jacob Umaga and Scott Sio, with those three being the most notable omissions from their Nations Cup squad. However, former All Black Peter Umaga?Jensen is among six debutants looking to boost the Pacific nation’s chances of securing several positive results.

Georgia, on the other hand, head to the southern hemisphere, having begun a new era under Pierre-Henry Broncan, who has the opportunity to take the Lelos to glory, be it by winning the Nations Cup or qualifying for the World Cup knockouts. The Lelos won’t have Beka Gorgadze leading the pack, but the ever-magical Davit Niniashvili is poised to set the competition alight.

So, who will lay down the law at Viña del Mar’s Estadio Sausalito? We will find out in a few days.

United States of America vs Spain (July 19, 12.30 AM GMT)

Los Leones vs the Eagles, a fixture that has become a regular part of the Test match calendar over the past three years, is set to add another chapter this July when both sides meet on the 19th.

The United States of America had never tasted defeat against Spain until last year, when their European rivals secured a 31-20 win. Was it a sign of how the times have changed? Or was it just a minor stumble from the Eagles?

Under Pablo Bouza, Los Leones have indeed become a completely different beast, challenging the likes of Samoa and Fiji and earning great results over Portugal, Tonga and Romania, proof of their talent and growth.

At the same time, the USA have seemingly overcome their struggles and are looking more menacing and cohesive, resulting in their qualification for the 2027 World Cup.

With the likes of California Legion’s Ruben de Haas, Provence’s Kapeli Pifeleti and Nafii Ma’afu in the squad, Scott Lawrence has to fancy his chances of bagging a win against Spain. However, Los Leones arrive in North America boasting talents such as Section Paloise’s Jon Zabala, Stade Français’ Álvaro García and RC Massy’s Gonzalo López?Bontempo—firepower that could be enough to earn a second victory over the USA.