We select a starting XV of players that stood out from the rest during the second week of the Autumn Nations Series.
Front rankers: Angus Bell (Australia), Dewi Lake (Wales) and Thomas du Toit (South Africa)
24-year-old Bell continues to shine at loosehead for the Wallabies as he beat a whopping nine defenders at Twickenham and put in 12 tackles. Du Toit scored a try, made seven tackles in a highly effective afternoon at Murrayfield. Wales captain Lake led from the front in a losing cause, hitting all 12 of his darts and putting in 14 tackles in a performance that deserved better from those around him.
Honourable mention: Asafo Aumua (New Zealand)
Second row: Scott Barrett (New Zealand) and Eben Etzebeth (South Africa)
We’ve gone for two No 4 captains this week, with Barrett and Etzebeth each enjoying storming games on tour and just doing enough to keep out Wallabies pair Nick Frost and Jeremy Williams.
Honourable mentions: Nick Frost and Jeremy Williams (both Australia).
Back row: Chandler Cunningham-South (England), Fraser McReight (Australia) and Joaquin Oviedo (Argentina)
Not perfect from CCS, but the the blindsider did score twice against the Aussies and made 18 tackles. McReight was again a true warrior for the Wallabies, making 16 tackles and assisting a try in a typically industrious afternoon. Oviedo also put in 16 tackles, as well as a turnover, offload and 44 carry metres.
Honourable mentions: Paul Boudehent (France), Harry Wilson (Australia)
Halfbacks: Antoine Dupont (France) and Caleb Muntz (Fiji)
In his first Test match for Les Bleus since last year’s World Cup quarter-final defeat to South Africa, Dupont racked up two try assists and carried for 93 metres in his side’s demolition of Japan. Unfortunately for the outstanding Marcus Smith, Muntz was just exceptional in Fiji’s shock win over Wales, scoring 19 points, carrying for 83 metres and making 11 tackles.
Honourable mention: Marcus Smith (England), Damian McKenzie (New Zealand), Tomas Albornoz (Argentina)
Midfield: Len Ikitau and Joseph Sua’ali’I (both Australia)
The Aussie midfield combination of Ikitau and Sua’ali’I was superb against England, with the latter – incredibly making his rugby union debut on the weekend – producing a sparkling performance at outside centre. Ikitau was as good as ever and set up Max Jorgenson’s match-clincher.
Honourable mentions: Andre Esterhuizen, Lukhanyo Am (both South Africa), Josua Tuisova (Fiji)
Back three: Bautista Delguy (Argentina), Louis Bielle-Biarrey (France) and Tom Wright (Australia)
Delguy scored a try, made 97 carry metres and three clean breaks for Los Pumas, while Bielle-Biarrey bagged two tries and made 123 carry metres for France against Japan. Wright continues to prove his doubters wrong at fullback, sparking a number of Wallaby counter-attacking chances to carry for 86 metres and also scored a try.
Honourable mention: Makazole Mapimpi, Willie le Roux (both South Africa)
2024 Autumn Internationals Team of Week 2
- Angus Bell (Australia)
- Dewi Lake (Wales)
- Thomas du Toit (South Africa)
- Scott Barrett (New Zealand)
- Eben Etzebeth (South Africa)
- Chandler Cunningham-South (England)
- Fraser McReight (Australia)
- Joaquin Oviedo (Argentina)
- Antoine Dupont (France)
- Caleb Muntz (Fiji)
- Bautista Delguy (Argentina)
- Len Ikitau (Australia)
- Joseph Sua’ali’I (Australia)
- Louis Bielle-Biarrey (France)
- Tom Wright (Australia)
