Check out our five biggest moments from the past weekend of Autumn international rugby that saw all four of the southern hemisphere giants claim wins over their northern rivals.
Boks go back to world No 1
It was far from a perfect showing from South Africa, with a litany of unforced errors blighting their performance against Scotland, but in the end they managed to get the job done and get back to No 1 in the world following Ireland’s defeat to the All Blacks on Saturday. A big improvement will be required to down a hurting and motivated England outfit this week, but the fact that the double world champs performed as averagely as they did and still managed to outscore the hosts four tries to one says a lot.
⌚️ The South African scrum lives up to its name, they finish off the final minute with a huge score from Jasper Wiese, the clock ticks into the red, and the game is won! 🇿🇦#breitling @breitling #definingmoment pic.twitter.com/DKlCkp7jmN
— Autumn Nations Series (@autumnnations) November 10, 2024
Ireland are their own worst enemies
Andy Farrell’s boys’ performance on the weekend was far off what we have come to expect from a team that many herald as the most accurate in the game. In total, the side missed 30 tackles, made 10 handling errors, conceded 13 penalties, gained just 202 metres compared to New Zealand’s 459 and allowed the ABs to make nine clean breaks while managing just one themselves. To top it all off, their 19-match unbeaten run at the Aviva Stadium is now over.
With a long season ahead, Ireland will look to move on from this aberration as quickly as possible.
⌚️ Will Jordan found the perfect moment to score for New Zealand against Ireland to seal the victory! 🇳🇿#breitling @Breitling #definingmoment pic.twitter.com/weqwhaPbRK
— Autumn Nations Series (@autumnnations) November 8, 2024
Sua’ali’i comes up big for Wallabies at Twickenham
Much of the chat ahead of Australia’s clash with England at Twickenham centred around 21-year-old Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’I, with the rugby league convert making his union debut in front of a massive 82,000 at Twickenham. Although there were some who doubted his selection, the former Sydney Rooster ended up having an absolute doozy and was a big reason why Joe Schmidt’s side were able to withstand early England pressure and ultimately come away with a famous 42-27 victory.
Sua’ali’I completed the match with a try assist, four carries over the gainline and four offloads in an 80-minute performance that should see him lock down the gold No 13 jumper for at least the remainder of the Wallabies’ Grand Slam tour. With so much scepticism surrounding the player depth at Schmidt’s disposal ahead of the looming British & Irish Lions series, Sua’ali’I seems to have provided Australian rugby with a much-needed good news story.
Right at home 🦘
— Wallabies (@wallabies) November 10, 2024
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii debut highlights ▶️#Wallabies pic.twitter.com/KzEJBYr2iP
England defensive woes cost them again
Steve Borthwick’s England defence has become a serious concern, with his side missing 36 tackles against Australia and making 12 handling errors. Defence coach Joe El-Abd will surely come under even greater scrutiny in the week ahead as his methods just don’t seem to be hitting the mark with his players. Additionally, England’s inability to close out Test matches is becoming an increasingly apparent, and was well capitalised on by Australia.
With the double world champion Springboks up next, England could well extend their dreadful losing streak to five games in succession.
MAX. JORGENSEN. 🔥#Wallabies #AutumnNationsSeries pic.twitter.com/o4wIi18bYk
— Wallabies (@wallabies) November 9, 2024
