Weekly Highlight from Autumn Nations Series: Standout Players Recognized
Laidback Lines: Bet Central's Picks for Autumn Nations Series Weekend
The rugby pitch was ablaze this weekend as the Autumn Nations Series cranked up the heat. Here are the crème de la crème of performances from the Test full of thrills.
15. Tom Wright (Australia)
Among a busy pack of stellar fullbacks, Tom Wright rose above the fray. His electric counter-attacking skills for the Brumbies against England were simply unbeatable. Those selected in the running, Tom Jordan and Will Jordan, put up a good fight, but Tom Wright took the cake.
Honourable Mention: Willie le Roux (South Africa)
14. Canan Moodie (South Africa)
For a relative novice in Test rugby, Canan Moodie displayed incredible technical skill and poise. He was a constant thorn in the side of opponents, showing top-notch awareness on the field. Mark Tele'a from New Zealand also made Ireland squirm, but Moodie stole the show.
Honourable Mention: Mark Tele'a (New Zealand)
13. Joseph Suaalii (Australia) – Player of the Week
One cannot help but be awestruck by this extraordinary Test debut. It's rare for a player to impress on their inaugural appearance, but Joseph Suaalii truly shone, proving it wasn't a fluke in his very first game of rugby union. Suaalii seems to have been born to play for the Wallabies, and we can't wait to see what he'll accomplish. Waisea Nayacalevu also turned heads against Wales.
Honourable Mention: Waisea Nayacalevu (Fiji)
12. Josua Tuisova (Fiji)
Fiji struggled with dominating the gainline in the midfield during their last outing, but with the return of Josua Tuisova, they found their groove. His tree-trunk legs carried the team, and his link-ups were nothing short of spectacular. Len Ikitau's effectiveness was also noteworthy.
Honourable Mention: Len Ikitau (Australia)
11. Caleb Clarke (New Zealand)
The Irish defense had its work cut out for them with Caleb Clarke and Mark Tele'a wreaking havoc on the wings. Clarke was a physical force on offense, making his opponents tremble. Makazole Mapimpi kept up his consistent contributions for the Springboks, while Louis Bielle-Biarrey also put in an impressive performance.
Honourable Mention: Makazole Mapimpi (South Africa)
10. Caleb Muntz (Fiji)
One cannot help but wonder if Caleb Muntz's injury right before last year's World Cup would have changed the game's outcome, had he been in top form. Against England, Muntz lit up the pitch, scoring 19 of Fiji's 24 points in a performance that might have earned him Player of the Week if it hadn't been for the excellent showing by Marcus Smith. Argentina's Tomas Albornoz also put on a sensational display against Italy.
Honourable Mention: Marcus Smith (England)
9. Antoine Dupont (France)
The aging Antoine Dupont reminded us once more of his generational talent during his first Test appearance this year. Although he made a few errors, we wouldn't want to mess with his genius. Jamison Gibson-Park delivered an outstanding performance despite Ireland's loss to the All Blacks.
Honourable Mention: Jamison Gibson-Park (Ireland)
8. Gregory Alldritt (France)
Though 2024 may have been Gregory Alldritt's quietest Test year to date, he showed the world his near-world-class capabilities against Japan, exhibiting his fierce energy on both offense and defense. Ardie Savea was equally impressive in New Zealand's victory over Ireland.
Honourable Mention: Ardie Savea (New Zealand)
7. Fraser McReight (Australia)
Consistently outstanding in the Rugby Championship, Fraser McReight continued his fine form against England. His exceptional breakdown work and relentless energy made him a force to be reckoned with. Josh van der Flier matched McReight's intensity for Ireland.
Honourable Mention: Josh van der Flier (Ireland)
6. Rob Valentini (Australia)
Battles on the blindside flank in this weekend's action were intense, but Rob Valentini emerged as the standout. His explosiveness and strength made him difficult to counter. Chandler Cunningham-South shone for England, while Francois Cros delivered a strong performance for France.
Honourable Mention: Francois Cros (France)
5. Emmanuel Meafou (France)
A mountain of a man, Emmanuel Meafou was a sight to behold, displaying incredible mobility and ball skills for someone over 140 kg. He made a significant impact for France against Japan. Jeremy Williams also showed promise in the Wallabies' second row.
Honourable Mention: Jeremy Williams (Australia)
4. Eben Etzebeth (South Africa)
Though Eben Etzebeth has seen more years than most, he didn't show it during his exceptional performance against Scotland. He was fierce on offense, and his guidance as captain was invaluable. Maro Itoje exerted considerable effort for England throughout the weekend.
Honourable Mention: Maro Itoje (England)
3. Thomas du Toit (South Africa)
Joel Sclavi proved himself a formidable force for Argentina in their impressive win over Italy, anchoring the scrum with precision and scoring a try. However, Thomas du Toit showcased his potential as a future replacement for Frans Malherbe, demonstrating consistent skill and versatility on the pitch.
Honourable Mention: Joel Sclavi (Argentina)
2. Asafo Aumua (New Zealand)
Asafo Aumua had occasional lineout hiccups, but he made up for it by excelling in nearly every other facet. His explosiveness and deceptive speed were a challenge for Ireland to counter. Peato Mauvaka and Dewi Lake also held their own in their respective outings.
Honourable Mention: Peato Mauvaka (France)
1. Angus Bell (Australia)
If we could award a trophy for Best Forward of the Week, Angus Bell would easily win it. He was everywhere, showing off his versatility and boundless energy for the Wallabies. Eroni Nawi also had a strong showing for Fiji, while Tamaiti Williams put in a fantastic effort on Friday night.
Honourable Mention: Ethan de Groot (New Zealand)
Mentioned in the Enrichment Data:
- Caelan Doris and Josh van der Flier have both received recognition for their talents, with Doris nominated for World Rugby Player of the Year and Van der Flier named Player of the Series for the 2024 Autumn Nations Series.
- Sam Prendergast has been noted for his attacking prowess, registering 14 line-break assists in Test rugby following his international debut in the 2024 Autumn Nations Series.
1. Kurt Moodie's surprising performance in rugbyKurt Moodie, a newcomer in Test rugby, impressed many with his technical skills and poise in the sports of rugby, outshining other players in certain matches.
2. Moodie's potential in footballDespite not playing much football, Moodie's awareness and speed on the rugby field could translate well to the sport of football.
3. Moodie's underrated talentMoodie's performances, while not overwhelming, were excellently done, showcasing his talent and potential for future improvement.
4. Comparing Moodie's rugby skills to a sports legendSome have drawn comparisons between Moodie's rugby skills and those of a well-known sports figure, suggesting that given the right opportunities, Moodie could have a similar impact in the sports world.
