Five Tests in a single Saturday is as delicate a balancing act as the Nations Championship’s new global calendar was ever going to produce, and round two delivered every mood the format promises: a coaching crisis in Brisbane, a record-breaking rout in Liverpool, a title-defence statement in Pretoria, and a changed-but-unbeaten Ireland side sending a message from Newcastle. By the time the last whistle blew, only three of the tournament’s twelve nations remained unbeaten.
The pace has been relentless. Two rounds old, and the competition has already claimed a coach’s reputation, crowned a new All Blacks try-scoring record, and set up a mouth-watering Eden Park decider next weekend. If a bonus-point win over Japan can be described as “flattering,” and a 73-8 demolition job is merely the biggest score of a four-year tenure, what does that say about the standard now required just to stay in touch at the top of this table?
Who’s Unbeaten After Two Rounds Of The Nations Championship?
Ireland, New Zealand and South Africa all sit on two wins from two. Andy Farrell’s much-changed Ireland side beat Japan 36-20 in Newcastle, New Zealand put Italy away 47-17 in Wellington, and the Springboks survived a Scotland fightback to win 42-28 at Loftus Versfeld, according to Sky Sports. France and Australia are both 1-1 after today’s meeting in Brisbane, while England moved to 1-1 themselves with a rout of Fiji following their round-one loss to the world champions.
What Happened Across Today’s Five Nations Championship Tests?
The scale of Saturday’s action is best seen side by side.
| Fixture | Score | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| New Zealand v Italy | 47-17 | Wellington |
| South Africa v Scotland | 42-28 | Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria |
| France v Australia | 42-26 | Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane |
| Ireland v Japan | 36-20 | Newcastle, Australia |
| England v Fiji | 73-8 | Hill Dickinson Stadium, Liverpool |
England’s 73-8 win was the headline scoreline of the round: Henry Pollock’s second-half hat-trick sealed an 11-try mauling of 14-man Fiji, ending a five-match losing run in the most emphatic way possible. In Wellington, Will Jordan’s latest try took him to the top of the All Blacks’ all-time scoring charts with 50, one clear of Doug Howlett, in a game covered ball-by-ball in the site’s live commentary and analysis and broken down further in the player ratings from the 47-17 win. In Pretoria, Rassie Erasmus made ten changes and still won his record 55th Test in charge, with the Springboks clawing back from 14-14 at half-time.
How Bad Is Joe Schmidt’s Wallabies Crisis?
Bad, and getting worse with the clock running down on his tenure. Australia led France 21-12 at half-time in Brisbane before conceding 30 unanswered points, extending their losing run to six straight Tests and nine from their last ten. Schmidt himself called it “soul destroying,” and with Les Kiss set to take over after the Italy Test in Perth on 18 July, the outgoing coach now risks finishing his three-match send-off without a win.
Who Stole The Show On Debut For Ireland?
Connacht number eight Sean Jansen scored on his first Ireland cap and was named player of the match, one of four debutants Andy Farrell blooded in a nine-changes side against Japan. Farrell admitted the 36-20 scoreline “flattered” his team, but the bonus-point win keeps Ireland’s perfect start intact heading into next Saturday’s round three trip to face the All Blacks at Eden Park — the tournament’s first meeting between two 2-0 sides.
What’s The Big Picture For The World Rugby Rankings?
Saturday’s results will move the needle on the stakes World Rugby Rankings piece flagged heading into round two: Ireland, New Zealand and South Africa all strengthening unbeaten records at the top end, while a sixth straight loss piles further pressure on Australia’s position. Nothing is confirmed until World Rugby’s next official update, but the direction of travel after two rounds is unmistakable.
What’s Next In Round Three?
Ireland travel to Eden Park to face New Zealand in the standout fixture of round three, with both sides unbeaten and a first genuine Nations Championship form-guide on the line. South Africa’s perfect record will also be tested, while Joe Schmidt’s Wallabies close out his tenure against Italy in Perth on 18 July, needing a response after Saturday’s collapse.
Nations Championship Round Two Facts (as of 11th July 2026)
Are any teams unbeaten after two rounds? Yes. As of 11th July 2026, Ireland, New Zealand and South Africa have each won both of their opening two Nations Championship fixtures.
Has Joe Schmidt lost back-to-back Nations Championship Tests? Yes. As of 11th July 2026, Australia have lost their opening two Nations Championship matches, extending an overall run to six straight Test defeats.
Who holds the All Blacks’ all-time try-scoring record? As of 11th July 2026, Will Jordan holds the record outright with 50 tries in 55 caps, one ahead of Doug Howlett’s 49.
When do Ireland next play in the Nations Championship? Ireland face New Zealand at Eden Park, Auckland, on Saturday 18 July 2026, in a meeting of the tournament’s two unbeaten sides.
