A NEW DAWN FOR INTERNATIONAL RUGBY: WALLABIES AND ALL BLACKS LEAD THE CHARGE AS NATIONS CHAMPIONSHIP LAUNCHES ON STAN SPORT

2 July 2026 - The dawn of a new era in international rugby has arrived. This weekend marks the start of the inaugural Nations Championship, rivalling the heavyweights of the Northern and Southern Hemispheres against each other in a new global format, streaming live and on demand on Stan Sport, with Wallabies in 4K.

This weekend's blockbuster rugby lineup kicks off on Saturday with the All Blacks squaring off against France (3:30pm AEST), followed by Japan v Italy (6:30pm AEST), and the highly anticipated Wallabies v Ireland clash (7:00pm AEST).

The Nations Championship format represents a radical change to international rugby, replacing traditional standalone summer tours and autumn Test windows with a fully connected, global tournament held in even-numbered years. Featuring the world’s top 12 Test teams divided into two geographical pools, nations compete in a cross-hemisphere round-robin, playing all six teams from the opposing group.

Each team will play three matches in the Southern Hemisphere throughout July, prior to the newly named Flight Centre Series and Bledisloe Cup, before playing another three matches in the Northern Hemisphere in November, followed by a high-stakes finals tournament in London.

All eyes are on the Wallabies as they take on Ireland at a sold-out Allianz Stadium. Head coach Joe Schmidt has primed his squad to take on his former side, anchored by the return of powerhouse props Angus Bell and Taniela Tupou, whose stints in the European club system are being weaponised as Australia’s upper hand. Currently ranked eighth on the world ladder, the Wallabies must deliver a flawless performance to secure a victory over third-ranked Ireland.

Providing fans with the most comprehensive coverage, the Wide World of Sport commentary team returns to Allianz Stadium, with former Wallaby captain Michael Hooper, Wallabies greats Tim Horan, Morgan Turinui, Justin Harrison, Matthew Burke and dual international star Allana Ferguson on the panel alongside host Michael Atkinson and lead caller Sean Maloney.

Across the Tasman, the All Blacks kick off against Northern Hemisphere powerhouse France, in front of an also sold-out crowd at One New Zealand Stadium. Officially taking charge as the captain of the squad is Ardie Savea alongside the anticipated debut of new Head Coach Dave Rennie. Signalling a bold new tactical identity, Rennie has named four uncapped debutants, Xavier Numia, Anton Segner, Fehi Fineanganofo and Josh Moorby, in what is set to be a baptism of fire as the second-ranked All Blacks take on the world number four, France.

In Tokyo, an ambitious Japan side hosts Italy in a high-tempo clash, while Fiji looks to unleash their trademark flair against Wales. The battles continue into Sunday as reigning world champions South Africa welcome England to Johannesburg and Argentina take on Scotland in Cordoba to wrap up the first weekend of the new format.

The Wallabies v Ireland match will be streamed live and in 4K on Stan Sport and also available on Channel 9 and 9Now from 7:30pm AEST Saturday.

NATIONS CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND 1 FIXTURES

SATURDAY 4 JULY
​3:30PM AEST - NEW ZEALAND V FRANCE (4K. Powered By Sky Sports)
​​6:30PM AEST - JAPAN V ITALY
​​7:00PM AEST - AUSTRALIA V IRELAND (4K)
​11:00PM AEST - FIJI V WALES

SUNDAY 5 JULY
​1:30AM AEST - SOUTH AFRICA V ENGLAND
​​5:00AM AEST - ARGENTINA V SCOTLAND

WALLABIES NATIONS CHAMPIONSHIP JULY FIXTURES

SATURDAY 4 JULY
​​7:00PM AEST - AUSTRALIA V IRELAND (4K)

SATURDAY 11 JULY
​4:30PM AEST - WALLABIES V FRANCE

SATURDAY 18 JULY
​7:00PM AEST - WALLABIES V ITALY

For media enquiries, please contact:

Hamish Birt
​Head of Communications & PR - Sport, Stan ​
​​Hamish.Birt@stan.com.au

Eamon Gannon
​Publicist - Sport, Stan
​Eamon.Gannon@stan.com.au