The Autumn Nations Sequence is beneath manner with England, Scotland, South Africa and New Zealand all selecting up wins of their opening video games.
Steve Borthwick’s facet produced knowledgeable efficiency of their victory over an Australian outfit lacking just a few key gamers, however there was nonetheless lots to love from England’s viewpoint.
South Africa hardly wanted to interrupt a sweat of their win over Japan, however we did get one other look younger fly-half Feinberg-Mngomezulu at Wembley Stadium.
Scotland made mild work of their conflict in opposition to the USA, whereas a robust second half exhibiting from the All Blacks noticed them dwelling in opposition to Eire in Chicago, 9 years after the perimeters first met at Soldier Discipline.
ESPN’s Tom Hamilton, James Regan and Sam Bruce weigh in on the weekend’s speaking factors.
England will go 4 wins from 4
With Fiji, New Zealand and Argentina to come back, England must be concentrating on 4 wins this autumn.
VERDICT: Not an overreaction
They did their greatest to get a daring prediction out of Henry Pollock. Earlier than he got here to talk to the media within the Twickenham tunnels recent from England’s 25-7 win over Australia, Pollock was within the glare of the TV cameras on TNT’s protection. They requested him if England are aiming for the clear sweep this November.
He replied by saying they’re simply taking it sport by sport — the age-old technique of deflecting expectation and inhibiting humbleness. Regardless of makes an attempt to interrupt by this social gathering line, he caught to it.
– Tom Hamilton: Pollock’s decisive attempt was consultant of England’s hard-fought win
You’ll be able to think about that is the messaging from inside camp, too. Luke Cowan-Dickie spoke to a small group of media after the match, and amid the discuss of his fiftieth cap, England’s continued desire for the double-shot in defence, he did discuss concerning the game-by-game mantra.
So it is on to these exterior the bubble to make the daring predictions. With a poor Australia facet dispatched, England must be aiming for an unbeaten autumn. They need to beat Fiji subsequent weekend, after which it is the All Blacks. Their document in opposition to the Kiwis has been fairly poor not too long ago — their final win was in 2019 — however with eight wins in a row behind them, doubtlessly 9 after subsequent weekend, they need to be stuffed with confidence for the All Blacks’ arrival at Twickenham — Tom Hamilton.
– Australia coach Joe Schmidt hits again at unlawful techniques declare
– Steve Borthwick hails Henry Pollock England impression
– Andy Farrell bemoans ‘psychological lapses’ in opposition to All Blacks
The autumn sequence is off to an underwhelming begin
With two blow outs and two different video games that lacked any actual spark, the primary weekend of November’s internationals didn’t present the most effective the game has to supply.
VERDICT: Not an overreaction
Whereas it was a very good win for England, their conflict with Australia lacked pleasure and attacking flare from either side. Throughout London at Wembley Stadium, the Springboks cruised previous Japan in an uncompetitive contest that proved routine for the world champions.
Scotland, unsurprisingly, dispatched the USA in a sport that may have performed little good for both facet.
Throughout the Atlantic, Eire and New Zealand supplied the most effective conflict of the weekend however even that, with either side little doubt nonetheless recovering from journey, was a stage under what we’ve got been spoiled with within the latest previous.
There are a number of thrilling fixtures set for the approaching weeks — particularly South Africa heading to Paris to face France — so let’s hope the motion ramps up a notch or two — James Regan.
South Africa possess a generational fly-half
All hail Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu. Although it was a poor Japan facet, Feinberg-Mngomezulu once more underlined his huge skillset and bolstered how he has the potential to be top-of-the-line gamers of this era.
Verdict: Not an overreaction
The Springboks are doing their greatest to maintain a lid on the Feinberg-Mngomezulu pleasure.
“I feel the hype round him shouldn’t be brought on by himself, it is brought on by others,” Rassie Erasmus mentioned after the Boks dispatched Japan 61-7 at Wembley on Saturday. But it surely’s exhausting to not get very excited.
After his 37-point haul in opposition to Argentina in Durban, the hype over Feinberg-Mngomezulu has gone stratospheric. And in opposition to Japan on Saturday, he was once more, magnificent. His solo effort for his or her third attempt was straight out of the Dan Carter field of tips. However Erasmus is fast to level out Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s strengths.
Erasmus admits there’s a sure “magic” about him, and praised his “really feel for the sport” but it surely additionally comes with a caveat from the Boks boss. “There’s by no means been a Rugby World Cup gained by a fly-half beneath 25 years outdated,” Erasmus mentioned. “He is nonetheless three years away. We’ll try to handle him accurately.”
The Boks can try to restrict the hype, however Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s inventory is rising by the sport — Tom Hamilton.
Eire are on the slide
With a sobering defeat to the All Blacks behind them, and an ageing squad, coach Andy Farrell wants to combine issues as much as maintain Eire as fearsome as ever.
VERDICT: Overreaction
Eire weren’t at their greatest in Chicago, however there was sufficient character on this efficiency to counsel that issues do not must be at panic stations.
Dropping to the All Blacks is not any slight, and Farrell was left lamenting some psychological lapses and an absence of sharpness in sure areas. The choice to choose Stuart McCloskey at inside centre labored, and Ryan Baird is rising into his back-row function. Whereas there are a number of gamers within the squad the incorrect facet of 30 and a World Cup simply two years away, there have been ideas that Farrell wants to begin the revolution now to make sure the workforce is in the very best place for Australia in 2027.
However the age profile will maintain. What it wants is the odd tweak right here and there, the odd recent face breaking by, and elevated competitors for beginning locations. This can be a workforce who have not had their head coach for 11 months, and nonetheless has their captain returning to full health.
The Lions tour all the time affords rebound disruption the next November and we’re already seeing proof of this. Up subsequent for Eire are Japan, who they may beat comfortably, after which it is Australia and South Africa. Decide their kind on these two — Tom Hamilton.
Beauden Barrett continues to be New Zealand’s most vital participant.
Beauden Barrett has been on the coronary heart of the All Blacks for nearly a decade. Whereas it wasn’t a classic efficiency in opposition to Eire, he nonetheless stays very important to New Zealand’s success.
VERDICT: Not an overreaction
At 34, Barrett is approaching the top of his profession however continues to be top-of-the-line playmakers within the sport. Whereas there are alternatives to rotate Barrett or play him at fullback, it is no shock he nonetheless has the keys to this All Blacks facet.
He brings a peaceful and stability to the workforce that few others may supply. His completely timed cross, the place bamboozled Eire’s rush defence with a deft step to set Damien McKenzie on his manner, was an instance of how he wants only one second in a sport to stamp his authority on it.
New Zealand have a number of world class gamers, however Barrett stays arguably crucial of their ranks – James Regan.
Wallabies want one other change at fly-half
Australia have been soundly crushed at Allianz Stadium on Saturday, their solely factors coming from a runaway intercept attempt from winger Harry Potter.
VERDICT: Not an overreaction
A part of Australia’s defeat to England was right down to the climate, and their lack of ability to deal with England’s aerial sport, but it surely was additionally right down to their refusal to play with any actual width. The Wallabies have been extremely slender of their attacking setup.
That’s definitely not fly-half’s Tane Edmed’s fault, he was solely enjoying as coach Joe Schmidt had directed him. In truth, other than a brief goal-line drop-out that very practically gifted England a attempt proper on halftime, Edmed was one of many higher performing Wallabies in London.
But when Australia are to utilise a few of their gifted attacking weapons, Max Jorgensen and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii particularly, Carter Gordon will be the man greatest fitted to No. 10 this weekend in opposition to Italy.
The playmaker is just a few weeks returned from his NRL stint, however his lengthy passing sport may make sure the Wallabies unleash their exterior backs in opposition to Italy.
The Azzurri are not any easybeats and Schmidt will need to reinstate Len Ikitau to the midfield instantly, however Gordon is undoubtedly a gifted participant who acquired a uncooked run beneath Eddie Jones. If not within the run-on facet, then Gordon, who’s match once more after a minor quad grievance, have to be included on the bench. — Sam Bruce
