The Shield will be awarded to the hemisphere that collects the most points during the six North versus South matches at Allianz Stadium. It stands alongside the main Nations Championship Trophy as one of the competition’s two defining prizes.
After three rounds of the Southern Series in July, the overall contest between the hemispheres is deadlocked at nine wins apiece. The remaining Northern Series fixtures will determine the final match-ups for the November showdown.
Seven points will be available across Finals Weekend. One point is awarded for each of the matches between the second- to sixth-ranked teams from each hemisphere, while two points are on offer for the top-of-the-table 1 v 1 clash. The first hemisphere to reach four points will claim the Shield.
SANZAAR CEO Brendan Morris said the new format adds an extra dimension for players. “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. We want the silverware heading south.”
Six Nations Rugby CEO Tom Harrison described the Nations Championship as a major pillar of the international calendar that will redefine the future of the game. “Every fixture matters… with two trophies and titles on the line at the Finals Weekend.”
The Hemisphere Shield, designed and handcrafted by Thomas Lyte, the makers of the main trophy, is intended to settle one of rugby’s fiercest debates: which hemisphere is truly the most dominant. The Finals Weekend in London promises three days of high-stakes action involving the 12 strongest teams in world rugby.