​The first phase of the inaugural Nations Championship is almost at an end as the world’s leading 12 sides reach the close of a busy July.The new cross-hemisphere competition has delivered plenty of captivating contests, though concerns remain over the demand placed on players both in terms of time on the field and travel involved.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe results from this summer will be carried over to November when the nations from each hemisphere will meet those from the other they did not play in this first window – with South Africa, New Zealand and Ireland best placed so far after two wins from two.One of those winning records will go in Auckland as Andy Farrell’s side bid to become the first team to beat the All Blacks at Eden Park since 1994 in the pick of the round three fixtures.What should you be looking out for this weekend? Here are five things to watch:Sam Prendergast will start for Ireland against New Zealand (Getty)The assumption is that Jack Crowley will be back to re-take the No 10 shirt in November once the Munster playmaker is fit again regardless of how Sam Prendergast goes against New Zealand – but overseeing a historic win at the All Blacks’ fortress would represent a coming-of-age performance for the Leinster-man. It is clear that Farrell still loves the options that Prendergast offers, and has confidence that the pivot can reach his heigh ceiling, though the hosts have the ability to make it a tough day for a 23-year-old who it still feels is figuring out his game at the top level.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementDave Rennie has successfully blooded his own new fly half in the last two weeks, and sticking with Ruben Love is a big show of faith in the Hurricane. He fits the expressive and expansive style that suits this All Blacks pool of players well, though Farrell was right to point out the steel that he had seen in Rennie’s side since the head coach’s installation – it feels significant that both bosses have gone with a long-limbed lock on the blindside with the battle at the lineout and maul surely set to be key.Credit must be extended to France for travelling to Tokyo to take on Japan, with Fabien Galthie’s side at the end of a particularly long season but still fulfilling their competition commitments properly. This will serve as useful preparation for the pair as they look ahead to a Pool E meeting in Brisbane at the World Cup next year. An enigmatic Japan are a little tough to figure out – they feel upwardly mobile after beating Italy and pushing Ireland, particularly with young fly half Ryunosuke Ito seeming to have Eddie Jones’ backing to fill a problem position.Ryunosuke Ito starts again at fly half for Japan (Getty)France, though rotated in places, will be a good gauge of where they are actually at when it comes to matching top packs. A second row of Warner Dearns and Harry Hockings has the muscle to mix it with the French big boys, though the fact that Jones has ro