Hemisphere Shield unveiled for Nations Championship

The new Nations Championship Hemisphere Shield has been unveiled on the London Eye ahead of the inaugural Finals Weekend at Allianz Stadium in November, introducing a second major prize to the global competition.

The Shield will determine whether the Northern or Southern Hemisphere claims supremacy in the inaugural Nations Championship, with the two sides currently locked at nine wins apiece following the three-round Southern Series in July.

North and South deadlocked before November

The Nations Championship resumes with three Northern Series rounds before the final standings determine the six North versus South matchups for Finals Weekend in London from November 27 to 29.

Teams finishing in corresponding positions in their respective hemisphere standings will face each other, from first versus first through to sixth versus sixth.

Alongside the individual Nations Championship title, every Finals Weekend result will contribute towards deciding which hemisphere claims the inaugural Hemisphere Shield.

Seven points available during Finals Weekend

Seven points will be available across the six matches. Victories in the second-versus-second through sixth-versus-sixth contests will each be worth one point towards the hemisphere battle.

The first-versus-first showdown will carry two points, meaning the first hemisphere to reach four points will secure the Shield.

Drawn matches from second through sixth will go to extra time, with half a point awarded to each hemisphere if the scores remain level. The first-versus-first contest will proceed to a penalty shootout if required after extra time.

New trophy adds to North-South rivalry

SANZAAR chief executive Brendan Morris said the Shield gives Southern Hemisphere teams an additional collective objective alongside their individual national ambitions.

“For the players, representing your country will always carry enormous pride, but the Nations Championship adds another dimension.

"Every time a Southern Hemisphere nation takes the field against the North, they are contributing to a collective battle alongside their traditional rivals. That is a powerful idea, and the Hemisphere Shield gives that achievement a symbol built to last.”

Six Nations Rugby chief executive Tom Harrison said the format ensures every fixture carries significance, with the Nations Championship Trophy and Hemisphere Shield both to be decided during the three-day Finals Weekend.

“The Nations Championship is a major pillar of the international rugby calendar, taking the sport to fans all over the world, and carrying the power to rival the biggest events in global sport and entertainment, redefining the future of rugby in the process".