Nations Cup Explodes Into Life As 59 Tries Are Scored Across Incredible Opening Weekend

The 2026 World Rugby Nations Cup has made a spectacular start, with an astonishing 59 tries and 444 points scored across the opening round of fixtures.

Running alongside the inaugural Nations Championship, the Nations Cup brings together emerging rugby nations as they continue preparations for the expanded 2027 Rugby World Cup.

The opening weekend showcased exactly why the competition is so important, with attacking rugby, dramatic finishes, and several statement performances producing one of the highest-scoring rounds of international rugby in recent memory.

A Perfect Start For The Nations Cup

The Nations Cup was introduced to provide meaningful, competitive international fixtures for Tier Two nations while helping bridge the gap to rugby’s established powers.

If the opening weekend is any indication, supporters are in for an entertaining tournament.

Across just six matches, teams combined for:

• 444 points
• 59 tries
• One thrilling draw
• Multiple comeback attempts
• Several standout individual performances

The emphasis throughout the weekend was clear—attack first.

Georgia Outscore Uruguay In Montevideo Classic

Uruguay 34-41 Georgia

Georgia opened their campaign with a hard-fought victory over Uruguay in one of the matches of the round.

Playing away in Montevideo, the visitors were forced to withstand relentless pressure from a spirited Uruguayan side that refused to let the game slip away.

Georgia’s attacking quality ultimately proved the difference as they edged a thrilling contest featuring 75 total points.

The result underlines Georgia’s growing reputation as one of the strongest emerging nations in world rugby and reinforces their ambitions of making a significant impact ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup.

Samoa Produce Ten-Try Masterclass

Samoa 66-19 Hong Kong China

Samoa delivered one of the performances of the weekend, running in 10 tries during a dominant victory over Hong Kong China.

Their powerful ball carrying and expansive attacking style overwhelmed the visitors from the opening whistle.

The Samoans looked dangerous every time they entered the opposition 22 and rarely wasted scoring opportunities.

A 66-point performance sends an early warning to the rest of the competition that Samoa intend to challenge for the Nations Cup title.

Chile Continue Their Rise With Impressive Victory

Chile 48-31 Romania

Chile continued their impressive development on the international stage by defeating Romania in another entertaining encounter.

The South Americans showed confidence with ball in hand and were rewarded for their ambition.

Late in the match, Diego Escobar crossed twice to put the result beyond doubt and complete an excellent team performance.

Victories over experienced European opposition continue to demonstrate how rapidly Chilean rugby has progressed in recent years.

Canada And Spain Share The Spoils In Instant Classic

Canada 42-42 Spain

Perhaps the most dramatic match of the opening round came in Edmonton, where Canada and Spain played out an extraordinary 42-42 draw.

Neither side could establish lasting control as momentum swung repeatedly throughout an end-to-end contest.

Both teams showcased exciting attacking rugby, with the draw reflecting just how evenly matched the two nations were over 80 minutes.

It was a reminder that international rugby outside the traditional elite nations continues to grow in both quality and competitiveness.

Tonga Hold Off Zimbabwe Fightback

Tonga 36-26 Zimbabwe

Tonga secured victory over Zimbabwe, but the final score only tells part of the story.

After establishing control during the first half, Tonga looked comfortable before Zimbabwe mounted an impressive second-half comeback.

The African side’s physicality and determination tested Tonga until the closing stages, but the Pacific Islanders held their nerve to secure an important opening victory.

Zimbabwe may have fallen short, but their performance suggested they will be capable of causing problems for other teams later in the tournament.

Why The Nations Cup Matters

While much of the attention is focused on the Nations Championship, the Nations Cup plays a vital role in the development of international rugby.

The competition gives emerging nations the opportunity to:

• Play regular high-quality Test rugby.
• Build experience against similarly ranked opposition.
• Improve their World Rugby rankings.
• Prepare for the expanded 2027 Rugby World Cup.
• Develop players in meaningful international competition.

With the World Cup expanding, tournaments like the Nations Cup are becoming increasingly important in helping nations close the gap on rugby’s traditional powers.

A Tournament Built On Attacking Rugby

One of the standout themes from the opening weekend was the attacking intent shown by almost every team.

Rather than playing conservatively, nations embraced an expansive style of rugby that produced:

• 59 tries across six matches.
• More than 74 points per game on average.
• Multiple matches with both teams scoring over 30 points.
• One 84-point draw.
• Several outstanding individual performances.

For supporters, it was a weekend that showcased the entertainment value of the emerging international game.

Questions Fans Are Asking

What is the Nations Cup?

The Nations Cup is an international competition for emerging rugby nations, helping teams prepare for the expanded 2027 Rugby World Cup.

How many tries were scored during the opening weekend?

A remarkable 59 tries were scored across the opening six matches.

Which team scored the most points?

Samoa produced the highest score of the round, defeating Hong Kong China 66-19 with a 10-try performance.

Which match was the closest?

Canada and Spain played out a thrilling 42-42 draw in one of the most entertaining matches of the weekend.

Final Thoughts

The opening round of the Nations Cup could hardly have been more entertaining.

With 59 tries, 444 points and several unforgettable contests, the competition has immediately demonstrated its value to the international rugby calendar.

Georgia survived a thriller in Uruguay, Samoa announced themselves with a dominant display, Chile continued their impressive rise, Canada and Spain produced an instant classic, and Tonga held firm under late pressure from Zimbabwe.

If the opening weekend is anything to go by, the Nations Cup is set to play a major role in developing the next generation of international rugby while providing supporters with some of the most exciting matches of the year.