- The Rugby Nations Championship prediction article previews all the Round 2 action, including fixtures, kick-off times, venues, predictions, and the best betting tips.
- The weekend gets underway with New Zealand hosting Italy at Sky Stadium in Wellington from 8:10am EAT.
- Round 2 concludes in San Juan, where Argentina host Wales at Estadio del Bicentenario, with kick-off set for 10:10pm EAT.
The inaugural Rugby Nations Championship gets underway with Round 2 this weekend (July 11) across various venues in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres after a thrilling opening last weekend.
The action began in Christchurch, where the All Blacks edged Six Nations champions France 34–32 in a breathtaking nine-try spectacle.
Meanwhile, Ireland narrowly defeated the Wallabies 33–31 in Sydney, while Scotland rewrote the record books by silencing the Cordoba crowd with a 47–38 victory over Argentina.
South Africa delivered a commanding display at Ellis Park to overpower England 45–21, while Wales comfortably dispatched Fiji 39–24 in Cardiff.
Japan rounded off an exciting opening weekend with a convincing 27–10 victory over Italy in Tokyo, setting a highly competitive benchmark for the rest of the biennial tournament.
Here is the full preview of Round 2 of the Nations Championship, featuring kick-off times, venues, predictions, and best bets.
Rugby Nations Championship Prediction
New Zealand vs Italy
The weekend gets underway with a thrilling clash as New Zealand host Italy at Sky Stadium in Wellington, with kick-off set for 8:10am East Africa Time.
The Dave Rennie era began perfectly with a bonus-point win over France, and the All Blacks will be aiming to extend their flawless 17-0 record against Italy, having amassed 998 points across those encounters.
New Zealand’s game is built on relentless post-contact power and aerial dominance, leading the tournament in post-contact metres (154) and line breaks (12).
Will Jordan crossed twice last weekend, while Cam Roigard impressed and Jordie Barrett leads the charts with two try assists. Italy’s defence faces a stern examination.
However, the Azzurri bring resilience, ranking second in tackle success (84.7%) and defensive ruck entries (78), anchored by Lorenzo Cannone’s perfect 20-tackle performance in Round 1.
Their set-piece has been flawless with a 100% scrum success rate and a round-high 17 lineouts.
Combined with a tournament-best 28.6% restart retention and fewer handling errors than they managed against Japan, Italy have the weapons to trouble the hosts.
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Australia vs France
The second match of Round 2 sees Australia host France at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, from 10:40am EAT.
Two wounded heavyweights collide in Brisbane, both desperate to register their first victory. France have won the last three meetings, but Australia boast a perfect 5-0 record against Les Bleus at Suncorp Stadium.
The Wallabies will rely on their physicality, leading the competition in dominant tackles (12) and defenders beaten (36).
Rob Valetini produced 33 post-contact metres from 19 carries, while Australia’s scrum remains flawless. They’ll look to overpower France.
France respond with the tournament’s highest tackle count (190) and a dangerous offloading game (12).
Matthieu Jalibert orchestrates the attack with 19 carries and four offloads. Expect a fast-paced, bruising contest as Australia look to end a five-match losing streak.
Japan vs Ireland
Fresh from beating Italy, Japan face high-flying Ireland in Newcastle from 1:10pm EAT.
Ireland have won 90.9% of previous meetings, although Japan’s famous 19–12 upset at the 2019 Rugby World Cup remains fresh in the memory.
Japan possess a lethal kicking game, leading the tournament in kick metres (984) and kicks in play (35), with fly-half Ryunosuke Ito contributing a round-high 395 metres.
They also lead the tournament with 46 possessions and boast a perfect lineout record.
Ireland, however, are a different proposition. They spent more time in opposition territory than any other team (11 possessions), secured a round-high 19 lineouts, and also maintain a perfect scrum.
Jack Conan’s 19 tackles at a 95% success rate anchor a defence that will test Japan at every opportunity.
Fiji vs England
Fiji take on England at Everton’s new stadium in Liverpool from 4:10pm EAT, more than 10,000 miles from home.
England hold a 90% historical win rate, but Fiji’s memorable 30–22 victory at Twickenham in 2023 proved they can upset anyone.
Fiji illuminated Round 1 with tournament-leading numbers, recording 42 defenders beaten, 674 carry metres, 12 line breaks, and 32 offloads.
Jiuta Wainiqolo alone beat 19 defenders. Add 28 dominant carries and nine turnovers, and Fiji arrive with explosive attacking firepower.
England counter with structure and discipline.
They ranked second in kick metres (738) and maintained a 100% lineout success rate. Ben Earl led all players with 21 carries and averaged 1.9 post-contact metres per carry.
If England’s pack can replicate their 95% ruck success rate, they could deny Fiji the quick ball they thrive on.
South Africa vs Scotland
World champions South Africa face the tournament’s highest-scoring side in Pretoria from 6:40pm EAT.
The Springboks have won 25 of their 30 meetings with Scotland, but the visitors arrive full of confidence after a seven-try masterclass in Cordoba.
South Africa dismantled England with seven tries and a ruthless territorial display.
Damian Willemse amassed 16 carries and 127 kick metres, while Grant Williams led the tournament with 16 box kicks.
Hooker Malcolm Marx nailed 16 lineouts, and the Springboks will once again look to dominate the set-piece.
Scotland, meanwhile, unleashed a devastating counter-attacking game, leading the tournament in both points (47) and tries (7).
Kyle Rowe topped the carry metres charts with 177, while Scotland also led the competition in turnover tackles (6), with Matt Fagerson contributing three. They have the attacking threat to score from anywhere.
Argentina vs Wales
Round 2 concludes in San Juan, where Argentina host Wales from 10:10pm EAT.
Wales hold a 60.8% historical advantage, but Argentina have claimed three of the last five meetings, including the previous two.
Argentina have been the tournament’s most clinical side, boasting perfect goal-kicking, scrum, and lineout records.
Wales arrive with momentum after successive victories, including a 39-point bonus-point demolition of Fiji. They made 13 visits to the opposition 22 and scored a round-high three maul tries.
Captain Jac Morgan crossed for two tries and won two turnovers last weekend.
With Tomos Williams controlling territory with intelligent kicking, Wales will be confident of extending their recent success on the road.
Rugby Nations Championship Round 2 fixtures, venues and kick-off times
Saturday, July 11
- New Zealand vs Italy – Sky Stadium, Wellington – 08:10am EAT
- Australia vs France – Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane – 10:40am EAT
- Japan vs Ireland – McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle – 01:10pm EAT
- Fiji vs England – Hill Dickinson Stadium, Liverpool – 04:10pm EAT
- South Africa vs Scotland – Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria – 06:40pmEAT
- Argentina vs Wales – Estadio del Bicentenario, San Juan – 10:10pmEAT