Strength in depth
Scotland had identified the Autumn internationals as a chance to give some experience to fringe players and build squad depth. Australia, through ill-discipline off the field, and injuries on it, were forced to also hand starting places to less experienced players. That will harm neither team, but the game between them proved that Australia’s reserves are better than Scotland’s.
The performance of their lives?
Nobody gave Ireland a chance against the All Blacks. But they had a game plan, they played with incredible intensity, and were able to keep it up. They took their chances, until Jonny Sexton missed a late penalty that would have put them 8 points clear. That is what kept New Zealand in the game. Ireland didn’t throw the game away, but you give New Zealand a couple of inches and they’ll take yards. Their last-ditch try showed how they were able to keep their discipline, trust their game and their team-mates when it really counted.
The worst half of rugby of the year?
If we were treated to an all-time classic between Ireland and New Zealand, Wales and Tonga served up something must less mouth-watering on Friday night. Wales matched their physicality in the first half and led 17-7 at half-time, Tonga grabbing a late try. There were no points in the second half and the game descended into such a non-event of a second half that I can’t remember any of it.
A word on match officials
Nigel Owens refereed the Ireland-New Zealand game very well, but did anybody else wonder whether instead of paying attention to the match, the TMO at the France-South Africa game was watching Dr Who?
Australia-Wales a nice finish
The final Autumn International of note will be Wales against Australia and it gives the home side an opportunity to end their hoodoo against the Wallabies. It is too early for teams to be laying down markers ahead of the 2015 World Cup? These two sides are in the same group, along with England, so there is plenty to play for.