The Autumn Nations Series provided another thrilling weekend of rugby, with standout matches across Dublin, Twickenham, and Paris. The atmosphere at these games was electrifying, and while some teams shone, others faced challenging prospects ahead.
Key observations included the Springboks and Wallabies delivering commanding performances. The Wallabies, in particular, demonstrated significant improvement, achieving a remarkable win in Cardiff by scoring over 50 points. Conversely, Wales continues to struggle, with daunting upcoming fixtures against South Africa and France.
Following the weekend’s action, a notable rugby figure shared their “Team of the Week,” emphasizing top performances without bias.
Backs:
15 – Fullback:
Tom Wright (Australia) earned the spot with a hat-trick and an outstanding performance. Others like Romain Buros (France) impressed on debut, and Freddie Steward (England) was noted despite a critical missed tackle. Juan Cruz Mallia (Argentina) also delivered a solid showing.
14 – Right Wing:
Cheslin Kolbe (South Africa) stood out with a world-class display, proving decisive at Twickenham. Mack Hansen (Ireland) and Darcy Graham (Scotland) also had notable games, while Tom Rogers (Wales) impressed but was controversially substituted.
13 – Outside Centre:
Garry Ringrose (Ireland) displayed resilience and creativity under pressure. Jesse Kriel (South Africa) was consistent as always, and Juan Ignacio Brex (Italy) contributed to their spirited comeback against Georgia.
12 – Inside Centre:
Damian de Allende (South Africa) was pivotal, setting up key plays. Scotland’s Stafford McDowell showed depth in their backline, while Robbie Henshaw (Ireland) delivered a steady performance.
11 – Left Wing:
Louis Bielle-Biarrey (France) was exceptional and edged out Kurt-Lee Arendse (South Africa), who also had a strong outing. Scotland’s Arron Read showcased depth with two tries.
10 – Fly-Half:
Thomas Ramos (France) skillfully orchestrated play and adapted well when moving to fullback. Marcus Smith (England) came close to selection, and players like Jack Crowley (Ireland) and Tomas Albornoz (Argentina) impressed. Handré Pollard (South Africa) delivered as a game-closer.
9 – Scrum-Half:
Grant Williams (South Africa) was outstanding, particularly with a brilliant solo try. Antoine Dupont (France) demonstrated versatility playing at both scrum-half and fly-half. Cam Roigard (New Zealand) and Vasil Lobzhanidze (Georgia) were also noteworthy.
Forwards:
8 – Number Eight:
Rob Valetini (Australia) dominated with power in Cardiff. Caelan Doris (Ireland) maintained his consistency, while Aaron Wainwright (Wales) showed some creditable moments.
7 – Openside Flanker:
Alexandre Roumat (France) showcased exceptional statistics and aerial skills. England’s Sam Underhill gave a gutsy performance, while Fraser McReight (Australia) and Josh van der Flier (Ireland) also impressed.
6 – Blindside Flanker:
Pieter-Steph du Toit (South Africa) delivered a colossal performance. Paul Boudehent (France) was close to selection, and Chandler Cunningham-South (England) impressed in his first full Test.
5 – Lock:
Nick Frost (Australia) claimed his spot with an incredible 55-meter try. RG Snyman (South Africa) was dominant, while Emmanuel Meafou (France) put in a physical display.
4 – Lock:
Eben Etzebeth (South Africa) displayed world-class skills and intelligence. Joe McCarthy (Ireland) scored a key try, and Guido Petti (Argentina) held his ground well.
3 – Tighthead Prop:
Will Hurd (Scotland) earned recognition with a try and a strong game. Wales’ Archie Griffin shone in a tough outing, and Tyrel Lomax (New Zealand) impressed.
2 – Hooker:
Matt Faessler (Australia) became the first Wallaby hooker to score a hat-trick. Peato Mauvaka (France) was exceptional in multiple roles, and Dewi Lake (Wales) showed promise as a leader.
1 – Loosehead Prop:
Tamati Williams (New Zealand) dominated his French counterpart. Jamie Bhatti (Scotland) scored a rare try, and Andrew Porter (Ireland) gave everything in his performance.
The week highlighted exceptional talent across the board,with standout performances emphasizing the depth and skill within rugby’s top teams.