It was week two of the Quilter Autumn Nations Series and the teams stepped up their levels, led by world champions South Africa who defeated France at the Stade de France in Paris. It came just over two years since they knocked them out of their home World Cup at the quarterfinal stage.
Scotland couldn’t end their barren run against New Zealand, Argentina poured more misery on Wales, and Ireland got their form back on track by defeating Japan in Dublin.
Over in Italy, the Azzurri made it two wins from two against an increasingly tired-looking Australia side, who would be forgiven for thinking about the sun-kissed beaches back home. England did what they had to do against a competitive Fiji team who couldn’t match their power off the bench.
The Boks Do Have Another Level
We know that South Africa are good, you don’t win back-to-back World Cups and The Rugby Championship if you’re not a bit special, but still we’re left applauding whenever Rassie Erasmus comes up with the next wheeze that keeps them winning.
This time at the 58 minute mark, they trailed by four and were down a man after Lood de Jager’s red card, yet in the next 22 minutes they found a way not just to win, but to score three more tries.
At the heart of the comeback was Andre Esterhuizen. He had replaced Damian de Allende at centre in the 47th minute, but after de Jager’s red card, captain Siya Kolisi made way for Ruan Nortje, and Esterhuizen filled in on the flank as needed, most notably when he rumbled over to score the try that put the Boks ahead for the first time.
It is not the first time the ex-Harlequin has performed both roles, but the fact he did them seamlessly in such tricky circumstances shows that Rassie was right to have tried it out in less pressured environments. Not a bad time to do it when Kolisi celebrated his 100th cap, and Erasmus his 50th match in charge.
France Need To Overcome Their Dupont Twitch
The way France collapsed in the last 20 minutes, helped by Louis Bielle-Biarrey’s yellow card, should alarm coach Fabien Galthie. Losing is one thing, but the way the team failed to function and break apart as it did is another.
While there is some mitigation that they are missing their best player and captain, Antoine Dupont, it brings back memories of the build-up to the 2023 quarterfinal when they rushed him back despite him having cracked a cheek bone that necessitated him needing to wear a protective mask.
Any team would miss him, but losing Dupont seems to send France into a tailspin. Nolann Le Garrec is a fine scrumhalf, and he should have been the focus, not the absent friend. Having Dupont absent and knowing what that would do to his team, means questions should be asked as why the massively experienced Gregory Aldritt was not included in the squad.
Time For Scotland To Can The Pre-Match Chat
Can we stop talking about it? On the day Murrayfield celebrated 100 years as an international rugby venue, belief was high that Scotland could mark it with a maiden win over the All Blacks. That had been the talk of Edinburgh and beyond.
Come the end of 80 minutes, it was another tale of woe, another story of what might have been as Damien McKenzie’s twinkle toes, Stretch Armstrong-like limbs, and then dead eyed boot, did the damage this time. It would help if they didn’t fall 17 points behind before landing a shot, nor ultimately waste the 30 minutes when they faced 14 players.
We’ve been here before and it is the same old story of what might have been. Yes, Scotland have improved immeasurably, but next time (and it might be a while) try and keep the record-ending chat to a minimum because it just makes the inevitable defeat that much harder to take.
Garbisi Is Nearly Up With The Best
It has been five years since Paolo Garbisi made his Italy debut and Saturday’s win over Australia was further confirmation that he deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as the leading flyhalves.
The 25-year-old was excellent for the Azzurri, his display a signal to their opponents of what happens when you stick with the chosen player rather than chop and change throughout the season.
Sure, Australia lost Noah Lolesio early in the season, but since then form, availability, and fitness have meant they’ve handed Tom Lynagh a debut, brought James O’Connor back in from the cold, tried an unconvincing Tane Edmed, and reintroduced Carter Gordon soon after his return from rugby league.
In Udine, Garbisi landed four penalties and two conversions. The only criticism came right at the end. With a seven-point lead, he was in the pocket for a drop goal that would have put the result beyond doubt. He opted for one more phase and Australia duly won a turnover penalty. Someone in Italy’s coaching team should pull Garbisi aside and explain how against better opponents it could have been better punished. Because it’s not as though he doesn’t have the skills to nail the kick.
Time For Tommy, Tandy
Wales’s latest defeat had few points to look back on with joy, and a nasty aftertaste after Jac Morgan picked up an injury that is likely to rule him out for a few weeks.
Even if that wasn’t the case, new Wales boss Steve Tandy should be straight on the phone to Leicester Tigers flanker Tommy Refell. Firstly, he is an excellent player and either as a replacement for Morgan, or partner in the backrow at a later date, his selection makes sense.
Then, there is the fact that he is the only player available who knows what it takes to win a major trophy, as part of the Leicester PREM winning team in 2022. As someone based in England, he is away from the mess that is Welsh rugby and not feeling the pressure of whether or not his club, and with it his job, will be around in a year or two. He would bring positivity and give the camp a well-needed lift just when they need it the most.