State of play on the oval planet, after the November test matches which generally saw a rise in power of the southern big names.
The Boks reign supreme
South Africa currently reigns over the oval planet. In the wake of their victory in the last Rugby Championship (a first since 2019), the Springboks achieved a flawless performance in Europe this fall. Imposing their law and their intense rugby on the Scots (32-15), the English (29-20), the Welsh (45-12). A tour de force from Rassie Erasmus and his large troupe. “My worry at the start of the season was how the players were going to take the changes, the construction and the fact that we are not a team of 25 players, but of more than 50. I was not sure that the most elders would understand that, appreciated the double world champion coach.
And to continue: “But we were honest with them at the start of the season and they all bought into the plan, which is admirable. The numbers are one thing, but it was more important that these players fit in and that we didn’t lose momentum.” It’s very simple: the world champions have only lost two matches (Ireland and Argentina) in 13 outings in 2024. Impressive.
All Blacks, Wallabies and Pumas find color again
The New Zealanders arrived in the Old Continent in doubt, after a disappointing Rugby Championship (including a home defeat against the Argentinian Pumas). But they were able to raise the bar, regain their efficiency and their aggressiveness to win in England (24-22) then bring down Ireland at home for the first time since 2021 (23-13). Scott Robertson, after a difficult start, was able to find the right mix between old (the Barrett brothers, Ardie Savea, Will Jordan) and new (Wallace Sititi, Cameron Roigard, Samipeni Finau, Peter Lakai). Next summer, the New Zealanders will welcome to their land the French deprived of their best elements. What is difficult to pass into the land of the long white cloud…
For the Wallabies, Eddie Jones had left a field of ruins, it was thought. But, under the leadership of Joe Schmidt (who enjoyed success with Leinster then Ireland), things seem to be taking shape. Spectacularly. Australia indeed achieved a convincing success in England (42-37) then in Wales, before falling this Sunday against Scotland. Simple hiccup or relapse? The storm nevertheless seems to have passed. The double world champion nation (1991, 1999) intends to gain momentum before “its” World Cup in three years. Until then, the next tour of the British and Irish Lions, in the summer of 2025, will give indications on the awakening – or not – of the Wallabies.
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France-Argentina: the offensive festival of the Blues against the Pumas in video
Argentina, which appeared out of breath against the French XV, nevertheless showed good things this year with its new coach Felipe Contepomi. The Pumas managed – this is a first – to beat all the leaders of the South during the last Rugby Championship, and they came very close to an achievement in Ireland (22-19), after having corrected Italy (50 -18). The Argentines have lost none of their fighting culture and their new coach intends to develop more offensive rugby. To be confirmed.
Ireland less sovereign, England in the tough
Sovereign during the last Tournament where it swept France from the start in Marseille, Ireland was very upset this fall, losing to New Zealand (13-23) then having big scares against the Argentina (22-19). The Clover XV did not show the conquering and dominating face it had at the start of the year, despite a final easy victory against Fiji (52-17). And next year, the Greens will have to cope without their mentor Andy Farrell who will be absent to prepare for the next Lions tour. Will the machine still be as efficient? This will be one of the questions of the Tournament. The last match of this fall next Saturday, outside the international window, against Australia could allow us to finish on a good note.
For England, on the other hand, it’s a grimace soup. Marcus Smith and his teammates lost against the three major nations of the southern hemisphere. Zero points against the All Blacks (22-24), the Wallabies (37-42) and the Springboks (20-29). The great success this Sunday against the very weak Japanese (59-14) will not heal the wounds. In the game, Steve Borthwick’s players – who must cope without certain players exiled in the Top 14 (Owen Farrell, Jack Willis, Henry Arundell) – showed progress and interesting things. But it sorely lacked consistency and a common thread. In the end, the XV de la Rose – which remains on five defeats in a row with the two tests lost this summer in New Zealand – has won only 4 of its 11 matches in 2024. Insufficient.
For their part, the Scots only had two big pieces to sink their teeth into: they fell against the Springboks (15-32), before bending – in style – the Australians (27-13) this Sunday at Murrayfield. A great success to finish, on which we can build, after largely dominating the limited Fijians (57-17) and Portuguese (59-21). More solid up front, the Chardon XV and its playing master Finn Russell still offer an attractive game, which has gained in realism. The hardest part begins: confirming and moving on.
The Welsh sink, the Italians disappoint
Dark year for Welsh rugby. No victory in twelve outings. Sad record for this flagship nation of world rugby. After the wooden spoon in the last Tournament, the Red Dragons began their autumn tour with a historic defeat against the Fijians (19-24). Before falling again, and heavily, against the Australians (20-52) and the South Africans (12-45). The crisis is deep. A glorious page has been turned with the retirements of Alun Wyn Jones, Dan Biggar, George North and Gareth Davies and the new generation – deprived of Louis Rees-Zammit, who left to try his luck in the NFL – is learning through pain.
For Italy, it was the autumn that was disappointing. After an encouraging final Six Nations with two defeats for a draw (against the Blues in Lille) and two victories, the Nazionale fell back into its failings, symbolized by a patent lack of efficiency and guilty air pockets. With a slap received against Argentina (50-18), a defeat against New Zealand (29-11) and a short success, at the last minute, against Georgia (20-17). The honeymoon is over for Gonzalo Quesada who will quickly have to remobilize his troops.
