Samoa's Ala'alatoa unconvinced by Nations Cup proposal

Samoa captain Michael Ala'alatoa isn't convinced that the newly-proposed Nations Cup will help close the gap on Tier One countries.

The new competition will take place bi-annually from 2026 and will see the Six Nations sides, the four SANZAAR nations, as well as two more countries - expected to be Fiji and Japan - competing in a 12-team league which will be played across the July and November international windows.

A second 12-team division will operate below it, but with promotion and relegation not set to come into effect until 2030, there has been criticism the new format will make the rich richer rather than make the game more competitive globally.

The Leinster front-rower has returned from the World Cup where the side ranked 15th in the rankings were edged out by England by a point, while also tasting defeat to Japan and Argentina.

Speaking on 2fm’s Game On, the 32-year-old outlined his concerns with the structure.

"It sounds good in theory, but I can’t help but feel that it’s favoured towards the Rugby Championship and Six Nations teams, or what you’d call the Tier One teams," he said.

"It may sound good in theory to give us more structure around our games, what do those games look like? Are we going to get genuine opportunities to play against Tier One teams and what Tier One teams are we going to get to play against?

"We need more clarity."

Ala'alatoa said there is going to be frustration among the second group of 12 sides with Japan and Fiji reportedly the two sides in Tier One of the competition.

"There are sides other than Fiji and Japan that have shown what they can do at the World Cup and when they are given a chance with adequate preparation time,

"It is frustrating to have to wait until 2030 (to be given a chance to