Power Rankings: Nations Championship Round One: Who's No.1?

Monday, 06 July 2026 at 20:37

byTom Sansom

The opening weekend of the 2026 Nations Championship is in the books, following a breathless Super Saturday that featured six blockbuster matches to kick-start the brand new competition.

Join RUCK’s Instagram broadcast channel and get the latest rugby news straight to your phone.

The action commenced down in New Zealand, as the All Blacks fought tooth and nail to clinch a narrow win over France upon Dave Rennie's first match as newly appointed head coach. Japan then starred in Tokyo for the win over Italy, with the victory made all the more impressive with no Eddie Jones in the Brave Blossoms' coaching box.

Australia then hosted Ireland at the Allianz Stadium in Sydney, in what was another exhillerating end-to-end battle, for an eventual two-point win for Andy Farrell's men in green. The action then jetted up to the Northern Hemisphere, as Wales secured an opening round win over Fiji at the Cardiff City Stadium. England were then undone by a brilliantly brutal Springboks outfit, yet the Scots ended the weekend on a high for the Northern sides, with a stunning victory over Argentina in Cordoba.

FULL RESULTS: 2026 NATIONS CHAMPIONSHIP - ROUND ONE

NEW ZEALAND 34 - 32 FRANCE / JAPAN 27-10 ITALY / AUSTRALIA 31-33 IRELAND

FIJI 24-39 WALES / SOUTH AFRICA 45-21 ENGLAND / ARGENTINA 38-47 SCOTLAND

POWER RANKINGS: NATIONS CHAMPIONSHIP - ROUND ONE

20. JACK CONAN (IRELAND)

Handed a starting role in place of injured captain Caelan Doris, Jack Conan delivered a tireless display in Ireland’s back row. He made an immediate impact with breakdown steals, set up Jamison Gibson-Park’s try with a clever offload before half-time and was Ireland’s most effective carrier across the gain-line in metres made. Conan repeatedly bent the defensive line with his direct running and physicality, producing a typically industrious performance when his side needed it most.

19. LUCIO CINTI (ARGENTINA)

Lucio Cinti endured a quiet opening before growing into the contest and finishing as one of Argentina’s most dangerous attacking threats. The outside back beat five Scottish defenders – the most of any Puma on the night – and was rewarded with a brilliant late solo try, backing his footwork and acceleration to slice through the defence. While his influence took time to emerge, Cinti’s strong finish was a key positive for Argentina and highlighted the game-breaking qualities he brings when given space.

18. TEMO MAYANAVANUA (FIJI)

Temo Mayanavanua produced a commanding display at the heart of Fiji’s pack, wreaking havoc at the breakdown throughout the contest. The powerful lock claimed three crucial turnovers to keep Wales under pressure in the opening half, while also pinching a lineout to disrupt the visitors’ set-piece. His relentless work rate and physicality ensured Fiji consistently won the collision, with Mayanavanua leading the forward charge, despite the eventual end result in Cardiff.

17. GEORGE MARTIN (ENGLAND)

George Martin made a superb return to Test rugby in his first international appearance in over a year, producing the type of physical edge England have missed. The towering forward crashed over for a brilliant try just before half-time, powering through multiple defenders and bouncing Tigers teammate Jasper Wiese on his way to the corner. Across his 58-minute stint, the Leicester man provided consistent go-forward with a series of bruising carries while also working tirelessly in defence, finishing with double figures for both carries and tackles in an outstanding comeback display.

16. RORY HUTCHINSON (SCOTLAND)

Rory Hutchinson was at the heart of Scotland's attacking masterclass against Argentina, producing one of his finest performances in a Test jersey. His superb long pass created the opening try before he crossed for one himself, but his influence went far beyond the scoresheet. Time and again he picked the right option, helping orchestrate wave after wave of Scottish attacks that left the Pumas scrambling. Argentina simply had no answer to his creativity, with Hutchinson constantly exposing defenders like Faustino Valarolo to cap a hugely influential display.

15. MATTHIEU JALIBERT (FRANCE)

Matthieu Jalibert was the architect of much of France's attacking brilliance, as Les Bleus pushed the All Blacks to the wire at the One New Zealand Stadium. His running game repeatedly challenged the All Blacks' defence, while his varied kicking game constantly forced them into uncomfortable positions. A superb touchfinder and dazzling footwork in the lead-up to Antoine Hastoy's try highlighted his influence before he capped his display by powering over for a try himself. A stunning effort despite the eventual defeat to Dave Rennie's men.

14. JOCK CAMPBELL (AUSTRALIA)

After more than 1,300 days between Test appearances, Jock Campbell seized his opportunity with both hands against Ireland. The Queensland Reds fullback made an immediate impact with the final pass for Dylan Pietsch's opening try before crossing for one of his own minutes later, showing impressive pace to win the race to the line. Campbell was influential beyond those headline moments too, providing a reliable presence at the back and ranking among Australia's leading ball carriers before being substituted after the hour. It was a composed, confident return that underlined his value at international level, despite the narrow defeat.

13. ELLIS GENGE (ENGLAND)

Ellis Genge's evening featured both frustration and redemption against the world champions. An accidental high tackle inside England's 22 relieved mounting pressure at a key moment, but the loosehead responded in the best possible fashion. Spotting an opportunity, he took a quick tap penalty close to the line and powered through Thomas du Toit to score a deserved try. With neither pack able to establish scrum dominance, Genge's biggest influence came with ball in hand, where his physicality and willingness to keep the tempo high ensured he was a constant threat throughout an industrious display.

12. AARON WAINWRIGHT (WALES)

Aaron Wainwright once again proved to be Wales' standout performer with another tireless display against Fiji. The Leicester Tigers back-rower was relentless around the park, consistently carrying his side over the gain line and providing the physical edge Wales desperately needed. His work rate never dipped, while his ability to make himself a nuisance with ball in hand kept the Fijian defence honest throughout. As Wales continue to search for consistency upon their first back-to-back win in multiple years, Wainwright is setting the standard for those around him and will be crucial if they are to turn promising performances into victories in the weeks ahead.

11. PIETER-STEPH DU TOIT (SOUTH AFRICA)

Handed the captaincy at the last minute following Siya Kolisi's withdrawal, Pieter-Steph du Toit barely missed a beat. Shifted into the second row after Eben Etzebeth was also ruled out, the versatile forward delivered another outstanding all-round performance. His trademark work rate was matched by impressive skill, with several deft offloads helping keep South Africa's attack flowing. Whether carrying, defending or leading, Du Toit showcased exactly why he's one of the game's premier forwards, taking the late changes in his stride during only his second Test as Springbok captain.

10. JOE HAWKINS (WALES)

Joe Hawkins continues to strengthen his claim as Wales' first-choice inside centre with another assured display against Fiji. While one attacking kick in behind handed possession back to the visitors at a crucial stage, it was a minor blemish on an otherwise excellent outing. Hawkins was immense defensively, racking up 12 first-half tackles and repeatedly shutting down attacks with the Fijians in full flight. His growing partnership with Max Llewellyn is quickly becoming one of Wales' biggest positives, combining physicality in defence with increasing confidence and cohesion in attack.

9. WILL JORDAN (NEW ZEALAND)

Few players make decisive moments look as routine as Will Jordan. The All Blacks flyer opened his account with a brilliant diving finish in the corner before delivering the match-winning try later in the contest, taking his remarkable Test tally to 47 tries in just 55 appearances. Opportunities were limited as France controlled long stretches of possession, but the in-form Crusaders man once again proved he doesn't need many chances to leave his mark. When the game was there to be won, New Zealand's deadliest finisher delivered exactly what was required.

8. RYAN LONERGAN (AUSTRALIA)

Given his first Test start, Ryan Lonergan grabbed the opportunity with both hands in an assured display against Ireland. The Brumbies scrum-half controlled Australia's attack with composure, kicked intelligently out of hand and was rewarded with a well-taken support-line try, following a breathless counter from Max Jorgensen. His crisp service and game management helped the Wallabies build early momentum before injury brought his evening to an end. Lonergan showed enough quality to suggest he belongs at Test level and looks capable of becoming a regular fixture in Australia's No.9 jersey.

7. MALCOLM MARX (SOUTH AFRICA)

Malcolm Marx once again demonstrated why he is widely regarded as the world's premier hooker. His clever overthrown line-out from the opening set-piece created the platform for South Africa's first try inside two minutes, while his leadership and composure anchored the Springboks throughout. Although the scrum battle was more evenly matched than expected, Marx's influence around the field never waned as the hosts gradually wore England down. He capped another outstanding Test performance with his 27th international try, extending his record as the highest try-scoring forward in Springboks history.

6. SIONE TUIPULOTU (SCOTLAND)

Scotland’s captain produced a true Player of the Match display, combining his trademark power with excellent game management in midfield. Tuipulotu battered the Pumas' defence, beating seven defenders and consistently winning the gain-line battle. Just as impressive was his work without the ball, shutting down Pumas architecht Tomás Albornoz’s influence with intelligent line speed and relentless pressure. It was a complete performance from the inside centre, leading by example as Scotland controlled the contest from start to finish.

5. BEN GUNTER (JAPAN)

Ben Gunter produced a tireless all-round display to earn Player of the Match honours in Japan’s win over Italy. The industrious flanker was at the heart of the Brave Blossoms' best moments, highlighted by a powerful close-range finish early in the second half as he muscled through multiple defenders for his side’s third try. Gunter was equally influential without the ball, bringing relentless energy in defence and at the breakdown while consistently providing go-forward with his carries. It was a wholehearted 80-minute performance that underlined his growing importance to Japan's forward pack.

4. JAC MORGAN (WALES)

Wales had plenty of reason to celebrate, with Jac Morgan leading from the front in a Player of the Match display against Fiji. The flanker crossed early for his ninth Test try, bringing up 50 international points in the process, and was relentless at the breakdown and in defence. Morgan carried with his usual aggression, constantly putting Wales on the front foot and setting the standard with his tireless work rate. It was a captain's performance that underlined why he remains one of the world's premier openside flankers as he heads to Gloucester for the incoming PREM season.

3. DAMIAN WILLEMSE (SOUTH AFRICA)

Damian Willemse celebrated his 50th Springbok cap in style with another classy all-round display against England, even if his Player of the Match award was incorrectly handed to Damian de Allende! Outstanding under the high ball throughout, the versatile back repeatedly defused England's kicking game and was never troubled in the aerial contest. He also showcased his attacking instincts with a superb chip-and-chase to ignite an early counter and later produced a perfectly timed assist for Jesse Kriel's second-half try. Willemse's defensive work was equally important, as he denied Cadan Murley with a try-saving tackle.

2. HUGO KEENAN (IRELAND)

Hugo Keenan was everywhere for Ireland in a performance packed with decisive interventions at both ends of the field. He produced a stunning try-saving tackle on Ryan Lonergan when the scrum-half looked certain to score, before later backing it up with another highlight reel moment by hauling down Joseph Sua’ali’i in full flight to snuff out a dangerous break. His attacking quality also told, timing a sharp line onto Garry Ringrose’s pass for a well-taken try early in the second half. Add in a crunching touchline tackle on Jorgensen and it was a complete full-back display built on anticipation, recovery speed and composure.

1. CAM ROIGARD (NEW ZEALAND)

Cam Roigard was the metronome behind New Zealand’s tempo, delivering rapid, crisp service that kept the game flowing at speed. He resisted overplaying the kicking game from scrum half, instead trusting his forwards and backs to build momentum through continuous phases. His support play stood out, sniping through a gap for a smart show-and-go try just before half-time, before adding a second after backing up a sweeping line break from his midfield.

Roigard’s influence only grew after the break, with repeated darting runs around the fringes that consistently pulled defenders out of shape and kept France on the back foot. With sharp decision-making and relentless energy around the breakdown, he controlled the rhythm of the contest and gave New Zealand’s attack its edge, and takes the top spot in RUCK's Power Rankings this week.