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REVIEW: Nations Series misery for Southern Hemisphere sides

It was a weekend to forget for the Rugby Championship sides as all four Southern Hemisphere sides fell to Six Nations opposition in the Autumn Nations Series.

Maro Itoje of England - Autumn Nation Series
Image Copyright - Steve Haag Sports

It was a weekend to forget for the Rugby Championship sides as all four Southern Hemisphere sides fell to Six Nations opposition in the Autumn Nations Series.

Two women looking excitedly at cellphone

Springboks lament missed opportunities in England loss

South Africa went down 27-26 to England at Twickenham on Saturday to end their European tour on a disappointing note. Despite the hosts scoring three tries to one, the Boks had plenty of chances to create real scoreboard dominance but failed to convert pressure into points at crucial moments. Still, their physical supremacy meant they managed to come within a whisker of ending their seven-year drought at Twickenham but were ultimately undone by a 79th-minute Marcus Smith penalty.

Eddie Jones’ men were deadly with ball in hand and got outside the Boks’ rush defence frequently, often being rewarded for it with points on the board. Their attacking game caused the world champions more problems than they’d faced before on tour, and the Boks have their supreme lineout drive to thank for getting them so close. In the end though, England probably deserved the win and Jacques Nienaber’s side can take solace in the fact that they will end the year ranked No 1 in the world.

French put All Blacks to the sword

France produced their finest performance under Fabian Galthie in thumping New Zealand 40-25 at the Stade de France on Saturday. The French were relentless, heading into the break with a 24-6 lead after a first-half in which they dominated virtually all aspects of the Test match. The Kiwis staged a mini fightback in the second -half, which they ended up winning 19-16, but it was a case of too little too late and in the end they were no match for a France team lifted by the support of a packed Stade de France.

The loss, their second in a row, means the ABs end the year in second on the world rankings. Indeed, their performances on tour leave Ian Foster and his coaching staff with much to ponder over ahead of what will be a crucial 2022 season a year out from the World Cup. The hosts meanwhile will use this result as a catalyst for an assault on the Six Nations in a few months’ time.

Wales squeak home against Wallabies, Ireland batter Argentina

Wales beat Australia 29-28 at the Principality Stadium on Saturday thanks to a last-gasp Rhys Priestland penalty. The Wallabies were reduced to 14-men after Rob Valentini was shown a red card for a dangerous challenge, but they did well to remain so close to the hosts and nearly came away with the result in the end. Dave Rennie issued a scathing attack on what he called “horrendous” refereeing in the aftermath of the Test, lamenting some calls and stating they “played a big part in the result”. Australia end their tour 0-3.

Ireland walloped Argentina 53-7 at the Aviva Stadium on Sunday to end their Autumn campaign on a high. Andy Farrell’s men look the business after their three-straight wins and their easy on the eye approach is sure to make them a very popular team in the lead up to the next World Cup, and indeed a Six Nations threat. For Argentina, Tomas Lavanini was sent off for the third time in his international career, becoming the most red-carded player in Test history. Eish.

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