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FWC on Sport Nation guideIsrael Dagg: Nations Championship rejuvenates Test season
Regan Harrison • July 6th, 2026 10:01 am
All Blacks captain Ardie Savea walks through France's guard of honour at Te Kaha | Photo: Chris Symes/Photosport
The first fixtures of World Rugby's inaugural Nations Championship concluded over the weekend, with a host of nail-biting finishes and plenty of on-field action.
The All Blacks' tight win against France in Christchurch set the tone, followed by the Irish narrowly defeating the Wallabies, before South Africa's commanding display against England.
Former All Black Israel Dagg admitted he had underestimated the new competition.
“I probably didn’t think it would have an impact as big as this, " Dagg said on Monday's Sport Nation Breakfast.
“You’ve got all these teams from all over the globe that play the game of rugby, that are getting the platform to elevate themselves," Dagg said.
Cam Roigard produced a Player of the Match performance in Christchurch that included two tries | Photo: John Davidson/Photosport
This new format is bringing more global attention to the game with 12 international tests being played each weekend, added co-host Sam Ackerman.
“This is turning matches that were happening anyway into something that counts to a collective,” he said.
The format means the all-important bragging rights between the Northern and Southern Hemisphere has added impetus, Dagg notes.
“It’s North vs South, there's that rivalry aspect to it. You never know who's the best hemisphere," he said.
“Come the end of the year, there's gonna be multiple games over one weekend and a winner takes all."
There are plenty of talking points for the All Blacks after their first Test of this year's campaign, as new head coach Dave Rennie unveiled the playing style he wants to implement against the French.
“They want to play that up tempo game and we saw that on the weekend, and it's going to come with risk," said Dagg.
“You're going to make mistakes, you're going to put yourself under pressure. But the more times that it becomes the norm, the easier it will become.”
The All Blacks' next Test is against Italy this Saturday at Wellington's Hnry Stadium, with kick-off scheduled for 5.10 pm.
