The second weekend of Summer Series action took place this past weekend, with the northern hemisphere nations playing their second game down south. Although there were a few teams still plying their trade on the northern side of the globe, most had to adapt to seriously different weather conditions and different styles of opponents.
Wales finally ended their 18-match losing run with a win against Japan in Kobe, whilst Ireland dominated Portugal in what was their biggest Test win ever.
England’s last-ditch try saw them beat Argentina for the second time in a row and Scotland fell to a strong Fiji side in Suva.
It was a rollercoaster of emotions for fans and the results reflected that, here is the Team of the Week from the action that unfolded this weekend.
15 Will Jordan (New Zealand)
Jordan delivered a world-class performance against France, showcasing why he could surpass Doug Howlett’s try-scoring record in the not-too-distant future. The fullback was a constant threat with ball in hand, making 60 meters from 11 carries and beating four defenders.
His standout moment came when he collected a tricky bouncing ball under pressure, slipped through two tackles, and sparked a long-range counterattack. Jordan also saved a certain try by cleaning up a dangerous grubber in the in-goal area. He finished with a trademark try—his 41st in Tests—bursting onto a Barrett pass.
14 Jiuta Wainiqolo (Fiji)
What a player. When Wainiqolo is on his game like he was against Scotland, there are few players or teams in the world that can stop him. He scored an unbelievable solo try that followed his incredible run against the Wallabies last week and was a constant menace to Scotland throughout the match.
He finished the game with 152 meters carried—about as good as it gets for a winger. Wow.
13 Hugh Gavin (Ireland)
Ireland may have won by 99 points, but they only have two players in this team, due to the weaker opposition compared to the other matches, which played into selection.
Thrown into the Test arena, Gavin showed no signs of nerves, making an instant impact with a poacher’s try after a Portuguese lapse at the lineout. His second, before halftime, was all about raw strength, finishing through contact to cap a strong first half.
He was involved all over the pitch, racking up 41 meters from seven carries, delivering seven tackles, and notching a key turnover inside his own 22. While he did miss three tackles, he remained a physical presence and never faded from the contest.
12 Seb Atkinson (England)
The centre followed up his impressive debut with another standout display, proving he’s more than just a short-term option in England’s midfield. He opened the scoring with a sharp support line and composed finish, then played a key role in the flowing move that set up Freddie Steward’s try—his subtle hands and awareness helping unlock the defence.
Atkinson looked far more assured with ball in hand this week, blending timing, vision, and smart link play. He and Luke Northmore were on the same page from the start, combining for Atkinson’s first Test try in just his second appearance. His only blemish came with a fingertip knock-on that ruled out what would have been a late Jack van Poortvliet score.
11 Shayne Bolton (Ireland)
Alongside fellow debutant Gavin, Shayne Bolton made a serious statement in his first outing in green. From the moment he soared to claim a high ball off a box kick and broke two tackles to race in for his opening try, Bolton looked right at home on the international stage.
His second was all about work rate and instinct, as he pounced on a loose ball after a sharp kick-chase to punish a dozing Portuguese defence. He nearly had a third before halftime and added a blistering line break and assist for Craig Casey’s try in the second half. In total, he racked up a stunning 138 meters from just six carries, constantly threatening with his pace and sharp footwork.
10 George Ford (England)
Seasoned veteran Ford once again showed why he remains one of England’s most dependable and intelligent playmakers. His calm leadership and tactical awareness were central to England’s performance, particularly in a tight contest where every decision mattered. From the opening minutes, Ford had the backline humming.
His kicking from hand consistently turned Argentina around, and his backfield coverage offered a calm presence under pressure. While there were a few missteps when the hosts applied pressure, Ford’s control never truly wavered. He kicked seven points off the tee and made smart defensive reads, including a key intervention that forced a turnover when Argentina looked certain to score.
9 Cam Roigard (New Zealand)
The Hurricanes halfback was sharp from the start, grabbing the opening try with a clever blindside move that set the tone. Roigard controlled the tempo expertly, mixing quick service with accurate, contestable box kicks and well-judged long clearances.
He was a constant threat around the ruck, sniping effectively and keeping the French defence guessing. By the time he left the field at 63 minutes, he had become the All Blacks’ top ball carrier, racking up 56 meters from nine runs, three offloads, three defenders beaten, and a line break.
