Nations Cup: Ex-All Blacks among 48 players introduced to the Test arena

It has been a few days since the first phase of the World Rugby Nations Cup was wrapped up, with players, staff and teams returning home to enjoy a brief rest before everything starts again.

With only Georgia and the United States of America having experienced a perfect run in the opening three rounds, we dive down to find out what players had the chance to step into the Test match scene for the very first time.

In total, 48 players earned their first cap in July, with Uruguay topping the standings with seven names, followed by Tonga and Samoa with six each, while Chile, USA, Canada, Romania and Spain had four debutants taking the field.

At the other end of the table, Simon Mannix’s Portugal introduced only a single debutant for the Lobos, with Zimbabwe having two and Hong Kong China and Georgia introducing three.

As for positions, the outside back brigade takes gold with 14 speedsters having had their first chance to slip past incoming tacklers.

Props follow next with nine new masters of the scrummaging arts having savoured their first close-range clashes with locks (7), loose forwards (7), centres (5) and hookers (5) the next in line.

Only one scrum-half was blooded and there wasn’t a single recognisded out-and-out fly-half on the list.

Here’s a team by team breakdown of the new caps, from top to bottom:

URUGUAY (7 – Maximo Lamelas, German Kigel, Lucas Porcelli, Ignacio Rodriguez, Franco Scaldaferri, Alfonso Vidal and Francisco Landauer)
Deprived of several of his key players, Rodolfo Ambrósio had no qualms about calling up seven debutants: Maximo Lamelas, German Kigel, Lucas Porcelli, Ignacio Rodriguez, Franco Scaldaferri, Alfonso Vidal, and Francisco Landauer.

While none was able to grab the spotlight, scrum-half Ignacio Rodriguez and prop Lucas Porcelli enjoyed a couple of bright moments with the former even claiming his first try in his first Test.

With the World Cup drawing closer, the next eight months will prove decisive in determining which of these debutants make the final squad.

SAMOA (6 – Manaaki Boyle-Tiatia, Ritchie Asiata, Taeaoelia Pomale Time, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Warren Solomona and Taunuu Niulevaea)
Samoa welcomed six new internationals, with former All Blacks Peter Umaga-Jensen leading the charge alongside Manaaki Boyle-Tiatia, Ritchie Asiata, Taeaoelia Pomale Time, Taunuu Niulevaea and Warren Solomona.

Umaga-Jensen started all three games, empowering the Manu Samoa’s backline with more grit, power, acceleration and handling tricks. Warren Solomona also deserves a special mention, as the young outside back was sensational in the opening match against Hong Kong China, scoring a brace of tries.

Although Samoa were beaten twice in the opening phase of the Nations Cup, Lemalu Tusi Pisi is continuing to refine his squad, which could yet receive an injection of new talent during the November international window.

TONGA (6 – Atu Moli, Fatongia Paea, Mahonri Ngakuru, Otunuku Pauta, Jimmy Tupou and Sione Tui)
From former All Blacks to Wallabies U20, Tonga had their fair share of debuts, with prop Atu Moli and Jimmy Tupou stealing the headlines.

However, their most promising debutant was Otunuku Pauta, as the AS Béziers-Hérault operator wreaked havoc when the ball fell into his hands. The No.8 claimed three line breaks, seven tackle busts, 40 carries and 20 tackles from his first three games as a member of the ‘Ikale Tahi.

Alongside the three previously mentioned names, centre Sione Tui, prop Fatongia Paea, and lock Mahonri Ngakuru made their Test debuts for Tonga, becoming the latest additions to Tevita Tu’ifua’s selection pool.

CANADA (4 – Canada: Cody Nhanala, Jacob Ince, Josh McIndoe and Liam James)
Utility back Liam James, centre Josh McIndoe, wing Jacob Ince and back-rower Cody Nhanala were Canada’s debutants, with the four having featured in at least two of the three games.

The 20-year-old McIndoe impressed Canadian fans after performing 12 carries, one turnover and 50 metres in his side’s 42-point draw against Spain, in what can only be seen as a statement of intent.

Jacob Ince was another debutant to make his mark, delivering three assured performances showcasing a special talent for keeping the ball alive.

CHILE (4 – Emilio Shea, Max Schlesinger, Marco Alvano and Manuel Bustamante)
Although the term “instant impact” is frequently thrown around, Manuel Bustamante lived up to the description, playing in all of Chile’s July fixtures and marking his campaign with a well-earned try.

Packing a serious pulsating pace, the winger was a continuous threat in his side of the aisle, boosting Chile’s chances of breaking through the opposition’s tight defence.

Prop Emilio Shea was also involved in all three of Chile’s matches, performing well in his scrum duties. Max Schlesinger and Marco Alvano earned their first cap, although they barely played more than 10 minutes.

ROMANIA (4 – Jean-Pierre Smith, Keanan Murray, Iacopo Bianchi and Etienne Terblache)
Prop Jean-Pierre Smith, back-rowers Keanan Murray and Iacopo Bianchi, and No.8 Etienne Terblache have earned David Gérard’s trust, securing the right to become full-fledged Stejarii.

Despite the four having performed at the top level, Etienne Terblanche deserves the spotlight for his sensational outing in Romania’s remarkable comeback win over Uruguay.

The No.8 finished as the game’s top tackler with 13 successful attempts, snatching two turnovers and one lineout steal, arming Romania with a tremendous and quality powerhouse operator.

A last shout to Jean-Pierre Smith who pumped fuel to the Stejarii scrum throughout the South American campaign.

SPAIN (4 – Jaime Manteca, Jeremy Trevithick, Gabriel Vélez and Diego González)
Pablo Bouza selected four uncapped players to join Los Leones this July, with Jaime Manteca, Jeremy Trevithick, Gabriel Vélez and Diego González all making their debut.

Between the four, Jaime Manteca and Gabriel Vélez were the most impressive, with the winger even crossing the whitewash once against the USA while Vélez amassed several successful tackles in Spain’s final two games.

With Los Leones gearing up for Rugby World Cup 2027, it seems that there’s still room for newcomers to fight for a place in the roster.

USA (4 – Perry Mayo, Lance Williams, Julian Roberts and Mason Pedersen)
As part of his ongoing effort to expand the Eagles’ depth, Scott Lawrence gave Perry Mayo, Lance Williams, Julian Roberts, and Mason Pedersen the opportunity to make their Test debuts.

Mayo and Julian Roberts were among the Eagles’ most exciting new faces, with the former especially catching the eye thanks to his two tries and the ability to tie the opposition defence into a knot thanks to sheer incredible pace and agility.

Roberts thrived in the centre pairing, testing opposition rib cages with several dominant tackles that helped the Eagles finish July with an impressive undefeated record.

GEORGIA (3 – Giorgi Pertaia, Vakhtang Jincharadze, Romani Makhatadze)
Pierre-Henry Broncan enjoyed a stellar start to his time as Georgia’s head coach, securing wins over Chile, Uruguay and Samoa. While the Frenchman relied on the Lelos main superstars, he also opened the door for Vakhtang Jintcharadze, Romani Makhatadze and Giorgi Pertaia to make their debut.

Jintcharadze had the most impact of the three, as the US Montauban hooker not only bagged two tries but also steered the Lelos set-piece to overcome Chile’s tenacity completely.

Winger Romani Makhatadze played the full 80 minutes in the opening match of the Nations Cup, while FC Grenoble’s Giorgi Pertaia enjoyed 20 minutes versus Chile.

HONG KONG CHINA (3 – Lachlan Doheny, Isaac Campbell-Wu and James Rivers)
Hong Kong China produced the biggest upset of the summer, as Logan Asplin’s side edged Uruguay 42-40, with debutants James Rivers, Isaac Campbell-Wu and Lachlan Doheny all playing their part in a memorable victory.

Rivers was a tireless tackle machine, stopping most ball carriers that aimed to break the line and completing 11 successful tackles and two turnovers. The centre also proved instrumental in laying the foundations for Hong Kong China’s attack, registering 11 carries and helping his side maintain attacking momentum throughout the contest.

Lachlan Doheny featured in all three Tests of the campaign, although his disciplinary record proved mixed, with two yellow cards and a red card that was later rescinded.

ZIMBABWE (2- Tjide Visser and Gary Porter)
Former Stormers lock Gary Porter and RC Massyone prop Tjide Visser celebrated their first official appearance for Zimbabwe when the Sables challenged Tonga in the opening round of the Nations Cup.

Porter’s lineout knowledge and immense work rate were put to good use with the lock adding a new layer of threat to the Africa Nations Cup champions’ forward pack.

As for Visser, the prop’s strength at the set piece helped his side remain competitive until the final whistle, adding depth to Pieter Benade’s front-row options.

PORTUGAL (1 – Alfredo Almeida)
Portugal introduced just one new cap during the July internationals, as Alfredo Almeida came off the bench for the final 20 minutes of the win over Canada to earn his debut.

Despite not having major opportunities to shine, he was cohesive in his off-the-ball work, offering good support running lines.