World rugby did not stop at the Nations Championship this weekend. Alongside it, World Rugby launched the Nations Cup, its mirror competition for twelve second-tier nations. And the opening round delivered everything it promised: 444 points scored in six matches.

Twelve nations, the same formula

The Nations Cup brings together twelve teams from the game’s second tier: Georgia, Uruguay, Samoa, Tonga, Chile, Romania, Zimbabwe, the United States, Portugal, Canada, Spain and Hong Kong China. It is played in the same international windows as the Nations Championship, for which it serves as the antechamber.

The round one results

Uruguay 34-41 Georgia. In Montevideo, the Lelos lived up to their billing as the bosses of the second tier by winning away to Los Teros.

Samoa 66-19 Hong Kong China. In Santiago, Samoa cut loose against the Asian newcomers.

Chile 48-31 Romania. Los Cóndores treated their Santiago crowd at the expense of the Oaks.

Tonga 36-26 Zimbabwe. In Denver, the Ikale Tahi held off a stubborn Sables side. Zimbabwe, who will play their first World Cup since 1991 in 2027, confirm their return to prominence.

USA 30-29 Portugal. The tightest match of the weekend: a decisive Hilsenbeck penalty gave the Eagles a one-point win over the Lobos.

Canada 42-42 Spain. In Edmonton, Canada and Spain finished level in a spectacular 84-point draw, the first of this new competition.

A rising standard

Four hundred and forty-four points in six matches: the inaugural round confirmed the growing attacking power of the emerging nations, a little over a year out from the 2027 World Cup in Australia, for which most of these teams have already qualified.