Southern Hemisphere Takes the Lead, Then Gets Pushed Back!
Analysis of Autumn Nations Series: Highlighting the Compétition Among Southern Hemisphere Teams
The initial moves in the *Autumn Nations Series* belonged to the Southern Hemisphere teams, but their Northern counterparts soon began to fight back with all their might! Let's dive into how each Southern Hemisphere squad fared during this thrilling tournament.
Southern Storm: South Africa
The Springboks showcased their mighty prowess by winning all three of their Tests in the Northern Hemisphere. It's been nearly a decade since they last achieved this remarkable feat back in 2013. By the time the year ended, they had a stellar record of 11 wins from 13 Test matches!
Their most significant victory was against a stubborn English side. Rassie Erasmus' squad continues to boast an unparalleled depth of talent, ensuring South Africa remains a substantial threat through to 2025 and beyond.
Star Man: Pieter-Steph du Toit
While several players displayed exceptional performances in a heavily rotated squad, Pieter-Steph du Toit was crowned the World Rugby Player of the Year. Cheslin Kolbe, who narrowly missed out on the award, produced top-notch performances throughout the series.
On the Up: Australia
After a bumpy mid-year, Joe Schmidt's Wallabies started to show their true potential during the Northern Hemisphere tour. Impressive victories over England and Wales highlighted the promise within this young team. However, their inconsistency was exposed in a narrow loss to Scotland. The style and method of their victories, though, were promising signs for the future.
Star Men: Rob Valentini and Len Ikitau
Several players left their mark during the series. Rob Valentini and Len Ikitau were standouts, but Tom Wright's contributions were particularly valuable to the team.
Contepomi's Surprise Package: Argentina
Argentina has never been short on talent, but consistency has often alluded them. Under Felipe Contepomi, the Pumas seem to have found a coach who can unlock their full potential. Close losses to Ireland and France showcased the team's newfound resilience, while a solid performance against Italy secured their only victory of the tour. The Pumas can be proud of their grit and growth during this series.
Star Man: Thomas Albornoz
The usual stars, such as Pablo Matera and Juan González Samso, were impressive. However, Thomas Albornoz emerged as a mature and creative playmaker, offering great promise for Los Pumas.
All Blacks Deliver More Than Expected
Facing daunting fixtures, the All Blacks proved their mettle by delivering a strong performance. They won three of their four matches, which significantly eased the pressure on Razor Robertson in his first year as head coach. Their highlight was a fierce battle against their modern rivals, Ireland. Although they lost narrowly to France by a single point and edged out Italy, the All Blacks ended the tour in a positive position.
Star Man: Cam Roigard
Tyrel Lomax has been a crucial figure for the All Blacks in recent seasons, but Cam Roigard's return provided the backline with much-needed direction and composure during the series.
- The Southern Hemisphere, despite an initial lead in the Autumn Nations Series, faced tough competition from the Northern Hemisphere teams.
- The Springboks, a Southern Hemisphere squad, exhibited dominance by winning all three of their Tests in the Northern Hemisphere, a feat not achieved since 2013.
- Incoming matches in 2025 and beyond promise to be challenging for other teams as South Africa, under Rassie Erasmus, continues to cultivate an unmatched talent pool.
- Pieter-Steph du Toit, a standout player for the Springboks, was crowned the World Rugby Player of the Year during the series.
