Many matches were played during this weekend dedicated to the November tests. Several notable lessons should be highlighted, such as the Fijian prowess in Wales, the end of the Irish invincibility at home or the spectacular match between England and Australia.
If you were sitting in front of the TV this weekend, you were not able to enjoy the usual Top 14 matches. The championship is on break for three weeks and gives way to the famous international tests in November. However, there was nothing to be bored, given the scenarios of the weekend's meetings. An observation must also be made: the nations of the South dominated those of the North, with five major successes on European soil. The most striking is certainly that of New Zealand. In Dublin, the All Blacks broke the Clover XV's unbeaten streak at home. The Irish had not lost at home for 19 matches and a defeat against the XV of France, during the 2021 6 Nations Tournament. Certainly, this duel has never been of the same ilk as the immense quarter-final of the 2023 World Cup. But the victory of the Blacks remains striking and highlighted the good form of certain New Zealand players (Roigard, McKenzie, Sititi), before facing the XV of France.
Blues who did not have to exert their talent to crush Japan at the Stade de France on Saturday. Authors of eight tries, with doubles for Bielle-Biarrey and Boudehent, Fabien Galthié's men were smiling for their reunion with their public. If the success was convincing, it was still not likely to create certainties before the match against New Zealand. This rematch of the opening match of the last World Cup will be the match to watch next weekend. The Blues were therefore the only “northerners” to shine, since England, Scotland and Wales suffered defeat. The first cities saw, like last week, their hopes of success evaporate at the last second.
For Fiji, can we still speak of an exploit?
At Twickenham, Steve Borthwick's men collapsed after the siren against Australia. It was Waratahs winger Max Jorgensen who delivered the Wallabies with a try at the end of an exceptional match, with a crazy scenario. This meeting was certainly the most exciting of the weekend. For its part, South Africa did not need a try in the final moments to ensure its success in Scotland. Dominant, Willie Le Roux's teammates were uncompromising, just like in recent years. Almost invincible, the Springboks took advantage of Ireland's defeat to regain first place in the World Rugby rankings. Speaking of the series, we must mention the ordeal of Wales.
On Sunday, the Welsh suffered their tenth defeat in a row in all competitions, a record for the Leek XV. A cataclysm, especially since during this last setback, it was Fiji who won in Cardiff. However, can we still speak of an exploit for these Fijians? Given the quality of the players lined up and the recent results, particularly during the 2023 World Cup, this is not certain. Especially if we add to the equation the (very) bad luck of the Welsh, wooden spoon of the 6 Nations Tournament 2024….
The United States surprises, Romania asserts itself
Since rugby is not limited to tier 1 nations, other international matches took place over the weekend. Among the notable results, the United States did well by winning against Portugal in Coimbra. Despite a try from Parisian Raffaele Costa Storti, the Americans managed to achieve a promising success. Another symbolic victory: that of the All Blacks XV against Georgia. On the lawn of the GGL Stadium in Montpellier, the Lelos had lined up many of their executives who play in Top 14 clubs such as Davit Niniashvili (Lyon), Vasil Lobzhanidze (Oyonnax) or the Montpellier Nika Abuladze and Vano Karkadze. It was the latter who scored his team's first try in the eighth minute. But then the trend reversed. Led by Finlay Christie, the New Zealanders scored five tries, including two for Blues hooker Kurt Eklund. Finally, the last notable result was Romania's victory against a revamped Tonga.
All the results from the weekend:
Ireland 13-23 New Zealand
England 37-42 Australia
Italy 18-50 Argentine
France 52-12 Japan
Wales 19-24 Fiji
Scotland 15-32 South Africa
Canada 14-44 Chili
Spain 33-24 Uruguay
Portugal 17-21 USA
Romania 25-15 Tonga
Georgia 13-31 All Blacks XV
