England continue their winning run, Wales grind out a narrow win over Argentina and Scotland lost to Australia late on. Here we look at the major talking points from another week of the Autumn Internationals.
Argentina
It took the Pumas far too long for them to impose themselves on the game against Wales. They were poor in the first half and it required Wales to score for them to up their game. They came into the autumn battle-hardened following a Rugby Championship campaign and a big victory over Japan, but they never really got going in Cardiff. They have to learn to dictate games at their tempo, as opposed to the slower nature of northern hemisphere sides.
Australia
Australia were far from perfect against Scotland and if they play like that again this autumn, they won’t emerge on the winning side. They look dangerous with the ball and Bernard Foley put in another good performance, but they were poor when they weren’t in possession. The lineout has been flaky all year and they’ve struggled to recreate the form that saw them reach the World Cup final. They should have been a lot better, after their impressive performance against Wales the week before.
England
Its ten wins in a row now for Eddie Jones as England coach and a first for his adopted nation over South Africa in a decade. They very rarely looked troubled in the game, but Jones wasn’t happy with the result. It was far from a perfect performance, but they showed a ruthless and clinical edge when they got into the South African 22. With 10 players missing, most sides would have had their backs up against the wall, but another convincing win shows the strength in depth. The era of hope for English rugby would appear to be over and the nation now expects the team to win.
France
France were poor in the Six Nations and the structure of the Top 14 season doesn’t help their cause, but it was a good day for them in Toulouse in Saturday. Traditional French flair seemed to have returned as they scored seven tries against Samoa. They’ve dropped down to No.8 in the world rankings as a result of their disappointing year and they’ve got ground to make up between now and the end of the Six Nations in March if they are to avoid a gruelling draw for the 2019 World Cup.
Ireland
Joe Schmidt changed his entire XV for the game against Canada and there isn’t really much to discuss from what was an expected win. The ultimate test will come next week, when the Irish take on New Zealand in Dublin, fresh from their first ever victory over the All Blacks in Chicago a fortnight ago. A plus point from the game against Canada was the long-awaited return of Sean O’Brien to the international fold. He looks likely to retain his shirt and contest the breakdown against New Zealand’s Sam Cane.
Italy
Conor O’ Shea won’t be judged on his first game against a New Zealand side looking to avenge a defeat the week before. However, they gave the ball away too easily and their tactical kicking was woeful. They have an opportunity against a poor South African side this weekend and they’ll hope to beat Tonga in their final game in October. Their progress under O’Shea won’t be marked until the Six Nations, when they take on Wales and Scotland.
New Zealand
The All Blacks were expected to thump Italy and they duly delivered. They’re still head and shoulders above all other international teams and there were some encouraging returns to action in Saturday’s game, with Brodie Retallick coming off the bench. His second row partner Sam Whitelock isn’t far away from a return either, but Aaron Smith’s form is a worry, following on from the scandal involving him earlier this year.
Scotland
Another case of so near, but yet so far for the Scots against Australia. They were unable to avenge their controversial World Cup quarter final defeat against the Wallabies, despite being the better side for most of the game. The Six Nations earlier this year showed marked improvement as they won two games and Gregor Townsend will have been watching closely, as he’ll take charge of the side when Vern Cotter departs at the end of the season.
South Africa
Allister Coetzee was quick to dismiss the notion that the Springboks have lost their aura, but something they’ve definitely lost is a wealth of experience. Victor Matfield, Bakkies Botha, Jean De Villiers and Schalk Burger all called time on lengthy international careers after the World Cup, whilst veteran Bryan Habana was out with injury. They tested England for the first 20 minutes, but were poor as the game wore on. Man-mountain Eben Etzebeth’s injury-enforced departure in the first half after a clash with Billy Vunipola didn’t help their cause.
Wales
A victory over Argentina ended a losing run for the Welsh, but there are ongoing problems with the side. They’re still struggling to move away from their “Warrenball” way of playing and some of the key players may be past their best. Alun Wyn Jones is still a formidable figure and was impressive as ever against the Pumas, but it would appear as if Wales are on the decline. Dan Biggar has developed over the last 18 months, but he needs to cut out his persistent whinging and arguing with officials if he’s to become a great player.