Nations Championship Kicks Off with Surprises and Thrilling Matches

The inaugural Nations Championship rugby tournament has kicked off, introducing a new dynamic where every match point contributes to an annual standings table. The competition aims to elevate the significance of international fixtures beyond traditional friendly status.

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The Nations Championship is divided into two zones of six teams. On one hand are the Europeans who make up the Six Nations; on the other, the four participants of the Rugby Championship plus Fiji and Japan.

In a surprising upset, Japan defeated Italy 27-10. This victory holds particular weight as Italy entered the match following their most successful Six Nations campaign. Despite Italy scoring first with a try from Juan Ignacio Brex, Japan's practical approach secured a decisive win. Japan's coach, Gonzalo Quesada, saw his team commit 24 handling errors, a high number that hindered their performance.

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Japan gave the first surprise of the competition by decisively defeating Italy 27-10.

New Zealand and France engaged in a thrilling opening match at the One New Zealand Stadium in Christchurch. The All Blacks, under new coach Dave Rennie, secured a narrow 34-32 victory. France, playing with an alternative squad that excluded players from the Top 14 finalists Toulouse and Montpellier, still managed to earn two valuable bonus points. Damian Penaud, France's all-time leading try-scorer, marked his return to the national team with a try within the first two minutes of the match.

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The All Blacks and France provided a great opening spectacle at the One New Zealand Stadium, in Christchurch.

The Nations Championship structure divides teams into two zones: the European Six Nations participants and the four Rugby Championship teams, joined by Fiji and Japan. Although Japan is in the Northern Hemisphere, it has historical ties to the Southern Hemisphere in rugby. Each team will play every team from the opposing zone in July and November.

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Damian Penaud, the historical try-scorer for France, returned to the national team and scored a try before two minutes had passed.