Who’s hot and who’s not: Damian McKenzie’s ‘heroics’ seals All Blacks’ victory, Italy stun Wallabies again and Lood de Jager’s ‘moment of madness’
All Blacks utility back Damian McKenzie and Springboks lock Lood de Jager.
It’s time for our Monday wrap of who has their name in lights and who is making the headlines for all the wrong reasons after the weekend.
THEY’RE ON FIRE!
Springboks: Rassie Erasmus’ troops showed why they are the back-to-back world champions and firmly entrenched as the leading side in World Rugby’s rankings when they clinched a deserved win over France in Paris on Saturday. Despite playing most of the match with 14 men, after Lood de Jager was red carded for foul play, and trailing Les Bleus 14-13 at half-time, the Springboks kept their composure and took control of proceedings during the second stanza. Thanks to some shrewd alterations which Erasmus made to his line-up after De Jager’s departure, the Boks won the second half 19-3 en route to their 32-17 victory.
Damian McKenzie: The diminutive utility back was the All Blacks‘ hero as they had to dig deep to secure victory against a spirited Scotland outfit at Murrayfield at the weekend. The men in black dominated the early exchanges and raced into a 17-0 lead at half-time before McKenzie came on as an injury replacement for Caleb Clarke early in the second half. The Scots then launched a stunning fightback and drew level at 17-17 by the hour-mark. However, it was a case of cometh the hour, cometh the man as DMac took control of proceedings during the final quarter, crossing for a well-taken try and slotted a late penalty, with his heroics helping his side to seal a 25-17 victory. The result means New Zealand are still unbeaten against Scotland after 120 years of this fixture.
Italy: There were wild scenes of celebration at the Bluenergy Stadium in Udine as the Azzurri got the better of the Wallabies in an entertaining Autumn Nations Series encounter. Although Australia outscored their hosts by three tries to two, Italy were full value for their victory as they held the upper hand after the interval with star fly-half Paolo Garbisi leading the way with a commanding all-round display. Garbisi’s game management and goal-kicking was superb and he finished with a 16-point haul courtesy of four penalties and two conversions as Italy clinched a 26-19 win. It was also a memorable occasion for the home side’s two Australian-born wingers Monty Ioane and Louis Lynagh as they scored their team’s tries and the result means Italy have now won the last two matches against Australia after also beating them in Florence in 2022.
Argentina: Los Pumas made an outstanding start to their Autumn Nations Series campaign when they cruised to an emphatic victory over Wales at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on Sunday. Felipe Contepomi’s charges made a superb start as they raced into a 14-0 lead before the Welsh did well to draw level at 14-14 midway through the half. However, Argentina came back strongly during the latter stages of the half and led 31-14 at half-time. The South Americans continued to dominate after the break and eventually sealed a 52-28 triumph – a significant result as it gave them their highest score and largest ever winning margin against Wales.
COLD AS ICE!
Fabien Galthie: While the Springboks’ efforts at the Stade de France deserve plenty of praise, there will be plenty of questions asked of Galthie‘s approach to this game, especially when the world champions were reduced to 14 men late in the opening half. Although the visitors were at a numerical disadvantage, Les Bleus did not kick on and dominate the match as expected with the reverse happening as the Boks finished stronger and ultimately secured the result. France’s supporters will be far from happy with their coach as that’s the second time now in as many games where Galthie didn’t have the game management from the sideline to get his side over the line against South Africa after the same thing also occurred in their 2023 Rugby World Cup final.
Wallabies: Joe Schmidt’s charges have struggled to replicate the impressive form which they delivered in their last Test against the British & Irish Lions in Sydney and during the early stages of this year’s Rugby Championship when they claimed a stunning victory over the Springboks in Johannesburg. On Saturday, Australia were without their first choice players like Noah Lolesio (fly-half), Len Ikitau (inside centre) and lock Will Skelton but that is no excuse for their defeat to the Azzurri, who are three positions below them in the World Rugby rankings. Australia are currently ranked seventh in the world and simply have to beat Ireland and France in their remaining Autumn Nations Series Tests as the top six sides in the rankings after the November internationals will be the Band 1 nations for the 2027 Rugby World Cup draw which they will be hosting.
Lood de Jager: Although the Springboks deserve plenty of credit for the manner in which they rallied after De Jager was red carded in the latter stages of the first half, the player himself has no excuses after his moment of madness. Referee Angus Gardner did not hesitate in issuing a permanent red card to the behemoth Boks lock, instead of a a 20-minute one, after checking television replays. Earlier this year, World Rugby approved the introduction of a Global Law Trial to allow a 20-minute red card replacement in elite rugby but it also emphasised that under that trial, trial a player who commits foul play that is not deemed deliberate or intentional will receive a red card and be permanently removed from the game. It left Gardner with no option but to issue a straight red card for his offence and he now is set for a lengthy stint on the sidelines due to suspension.
Ireland’s attack: They might have clinched a 41-10 victory against Japan at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday, but Andy Farrell’s side’s performance left a lot to be desired as they delivered a sluggish showing against the Brave Blossoms, who are 10 places below them in World Rugby’s official rankings. From the outset, Japan were competitive and they were still very much in the game as Ireland held a slender 17-10 lead at half-time. Ireland’s attack will be in the spotlight ahead of their remaining Autumn Nations Series Tests against the Wallabies and Springboks over the next two weeks as they have become very laboured in that department under the guidance of Andrew Goodman, who replaced Mike Catt as attack coach after last year’s tour to South Africa.
Wales: There was plenty of excitement in Wales when it was announced that Steve Tandy would take over the reins as the head coach of their national team but judging from their performance in that clash against Argentina on Sunday, they still have a lot of work to do before they can be considered as one of the powerhouses of the global game again. Los Pumas dominated most facets of play and the 52-28 scoreline is a fair reflection on the match which means there is plenty of homework for Tandy and the rest of his coaching staff ahead of their upcoming Tests against Japan, New Zealand and South Africa. On current form, beating the All Blacks and Springboks is highly unlikely, but they will be expected to get the better of the Brave Blossoms in Cardiff this Saturday.