With the first weekend already done, New Zealand victorious in a brilliant thriller at Allianz Stadium in Twickenham, and Scotland dissolving a Fijian side missing many of their best players, it’s clear to see we are in for another fantastic Autumn Nations Series. World champions South Africa face Scotland this weekend, looking to continue their nine game winning streak against Gregor Townshend’s men. Ireland face the All Blacks in a rematch of the World Cup quarter final, in what will be an intense clash. Wales versus Fiji looks to be the second of what we can presume to be tight matches, with both sides wanting to prove points, and Gatland’s Wales still looking for a first test win in 2024, whilst Fiji won the Pacific Nations Cup earlier this summer. The other two matches are Italy versus Argentina and France versus Japan. None of these are with certain victors.
The sides from the southern hemisphere all have come north from an intense season, with those from the Rugby Championship having had one of the most competitive seasons yet, the Boks winning it in the final match. All four of these sides are with a new coaching setup, experimenting with new approaches, and attempting to revolutionise their gameplan. Scott Robertson’s New Zealand already looks to be a strong side, having pushed the Boks to the limits in both Johannesburg and Cape Town, and only just losing both matches. Felipe Contepomi’s Argentina has already beaten both South Africa at home and the All Blacks in New Zealand. Joe Schmidt’s Australia is far from full strength and full capabilities, but showing promise, and the quality of the Rugby Championship perhaps does not let Australia show its full potential.
Finally, Rassie Erasmus’ Springboks have kept their core strength at the set pieces, with total scrum and maul dominance, but are attacking with even more menace than before thanks to new attack coach Tony Brown’s work, alongside Jerry Flannery’s interesting new defensive system, building upon what Jacques Nienaber and Felix Jones had built in preparation for last year’s Rugby World Cup.
All this means is that we are in for an absolute treat. Never before has the standard of international rugby been so high across the board. The only team that I am sure will win all of their matches is the Springboks purely because they have the extra edge and are just playing such an evolved game plan. I am very open to being proven wrong, however, and am watching all this rugby mostly as a neutral, for the love of the sport. Without wanting to have an article of lists I think it’s best to highlight what I believe will be the best matches (even though all of them will be excellent), and those are New Zealand vs. Ireland, France vs Argentina, and South Africa vs. England, but I would strongly recommend you watch every game you can because anything can happen.
The tone for what’s to come was already set when England and New Zealand broke World Rugby regulations and advanced towards each other during the haka, a great move, allowing more of a challenge to the war dance than just standing and observing, something hopefully that happens more, like in years gone by. George Ford’s failed drop goal attempt broke England fan’s hearts, but either side deserved the win, and New Zealand’s defence held strong except for Marcus Smith’s interception. England never looked like they were getting past the 5 metre line, and substitutions that may have been too early according to some leave many questioning what if, but what if isn’t the real world, and the scoreboard is all that matters in the end.
The Autumn Nations Series is finally upon us, and I for one am excited for what is to come.