Uruguay edge Zimbabwe for maiden Nations Cup win
ROUND FIVE WRAP: Uruguay edged an enthralling encounter to overcome spirited Zimbabwe with a 20-16 victory and claim their first win of the World Rugby Nations Cup 2026.
A hugely entertaining first half at the Trailfinders Sports Ground saw both sides score two tries apiece, but two second-half penalties from fly-half Icaro Amarillo gave Los Teros the win before a sold-out crowd in Ealing, London.
Victorious captain Manuel Leindekar revealed: “We changed our attitude in the second half and our defence was really good. We’re just really happy to get a win for Los Teros.”
After a fifth straight loss for the Sables, captain Tino Mavesere said: “There were a few mistakes here and there but it was an honourable fight from the boys – right to the end. Yes, we’ve had a few losses but we’re going to keep taking the positives and the fans have come out in their numbers, which has been awesome.”
Uruguay centre Juan Manuel Alonso opened the scoring with a seventh-minute try which saw him finish off a delightful handling sequence from close range.
Prop Mateo Sanguinetti provided the final pass but Zimbabwe steadied themselves and hit back with two tries in six minutes midway through the first half.
Flanker and Mavesere touched down in the 20th minute with a crafty close-range score and Godfrey Muzanargwo then scored a brilliant try in the left corner five minutes later.
Uruguay then registered their second try when Juan Gonzalez dived over in the right corner but the Sables took a 15-14 lead into the break – only for Amarillo’s two penalties to prove decisive.
Meanwhile, USA and Georgia have been confirmed as the two World Rugby Nations Cup 2026 champions after securing top spot in their respective pools with a round still to play.
Georgia’s 55-31 victory in Tbilisi, combined with Portugal’s defeat to Samoa in Lisbon, moved them to 24 points and ensured they can no longer be caught at the top of the Europe, Asia and Africa pool.
USA subsequently secured top spot in Pool A, the Americas and Pacific pool, with a 53-24 victory over Romania in Bucharest, confirming their status as Nations Cup champions alongside Georgia.
The two newly crowned champions will meet in Tbilisi on November 21 where they will be presented with the World Rugby Nations Cup trophies.
1 YEAR TO GO
The countdown is on until the biggest Men’s Rugby World Cup ever kicks off in Australia. Go All Out and secure your seats with tickets now available!
