Tournament Spotlight: It's All About the Outstanding Combination of Players in the Autumn Nations Series
Got the Lowdown on the Top XV from the 2024 Autumn Nations Series!
The Autumn Nations Series is wrapping up, and we've handpicked the unstoppable XV that dazzled throughout the matches. Let's dive in!
15. Tom Wright (Australia)Tom Wright lit up the backfield with lightning-quick counterattacks and top-notch game-reading skills. He's a continuous threat to defenses when in possession of the ball.
Unstoppable Mentions: Davit Niniashvili and Will Jordan took the No. 15 spot by storm, too.
14. Cheslin Kolbe (South Africa)Kolbe was left out of the World Rugby Men's Player of the Year award, but he stunned audiences with his amazing tries and effortless defensive line-breaks.
Brilliant Mentions: Darcy Graham, despite limited minutes, was unbelievable when on the field.
13. Len Ikitau (Australia)Ikitau was the star center pick for the series' unpredictable rotation, showcasing his exceptional game intelligence and leadership for Australia.
Clutch Mentions: Huw Jones reveled in his outstanding performances, while Lucio Cinti became a key player for Los Pumas.
12. Damian de Allende (South Africa)De Allende was crucial in South Africa's victories, consistently stepping up in the clutch moments, and impressing followers with his impressive gameplay.
Power Team Mentions: Sione Tuipulotu didn't disappoint with his skillful performances for Scotland.
11. Louis Bielle-Biarrey (France)Bielle-Biarrey's mind-blowing speed and impeccable decision-making meant defenders often couldn't keep up with him.
Elite Mentions: Kurt-Lee Arendse continued his vital role for the Springboks.
10. Marcus Smith (England)England may have won only one match, but Marcus Smith's performances were extraordinary. His masterful orchestration of the team attacks made him stand out.
Masterful Mentions: Thomas Albornoz was a trusted ally for Los Pumas in these intense matches.
09. Jamison Gibson-Park (Ireland)With Antoine Dupont divided between 7s and 15s, Jamison Gibson-Park shone as the top-performing scrumhalf in the series.
Rising Star Mentions: Cam Roigard delivered impressive performances for the All Blacks during the series.
08. Joaquin Oviedo (Argentina)Oviedo was Argentina's breakout player of the year, consistently providing powerful carries and crucial interventions.
Unyielding Mentions: Caelan Doris and Gregory Alldritt also stood out with their exceptional performances.
07. Josh van der Flier (Ireland)Fit or not, van der Flier is undoubtedly the premier openside flanker. His tenacious tackling and relentless work rate were astounding during the series.
Relentless Mentions: Alexandre Roumat and Fraser McReight also made their presence felt.
06. Pieter-Steph du Toit (South Africa)In his 30s, Pieter-Steph du Toit remains an unstoppable force, using his phenomenal work rate and engine to drive the Springboks forward.
Ironclad Mentions: Rob Valetini and Chandler Cunningham-South displayed promising gameplay, while Wallace Sititi demonstrated exceptional skills as a breakthrough talent.
05. Emmanuel Meafou (France)Meafou's ball skills for a player of his size are remarkable, and he was dominant at the breakdown and disruptive to defensive structures with powerful carries.
Unstoppable Mentions: Pedro Rubiolo shone for Argentina, leading by example in each of the series' matches.
04. Eben Etzebeth (South Africa)Still leading and performing at an elite level in his twilight career, Etzebeth was a force to be reckoned with during the series.
Inspirational Mentions: Nick Frost provided noticeable performances for the Wallabies.
03. Tyrel Lomax (New Zealand)Once again Lomax proved his worth as the top tighthead prop, solidifying the All Blacks' set piece and performing exceptionally well in open play.
Powerful Mentions: Wilco Louw impressed and solidified his reputation in the series.
02. Peato Mauvaka (France)Talk about a pocket dynamo! Mauvaka was a colossal presence on the field. He shined at the set piece and was like an extra loose forward, providing key momentum in open play.
Demanding Mentions: Julian Montoya led by example for Argentina, while Matt Faessler demonstrated his exceptional talent for Australia.
01. Tamaiti Williams (New Zealand)This year saw Tamaiti Williams emerge as a revelation. The powerhouse Crusaders prop dominated in the scrum and proved highly effective in open play.
Formidable Mentions: Ox Nche remains the stalwart of the Springboks' forward pack.
This star-studded team shows just how exciting the Autumn Nations Series got in 2024! Whether it's the counterattacking abilities of Tom Wright or the relentless nature of Josh van der Flier, these players know how to bring the heat!
The rugged performance of Kurt, possibly arguably one of the best flankers in the game, constantly left defenders struggling to keep up, much like Niniashvili at the No.15 position. Likewise, Damian de Allende's gameplay, arguably among the most impressive in the series, was arguably unstoppable in clutch moments. Additionally, Len Ikitau's intelligence and leadership were arguably unparalleled in the center position. Finally, the electric speed and decision-making of Louis Bielle-Biarrey on the wing were arguably impossible to match, much like Tom Wright's lightning-quick counterattacks.
