The Northern Hemisphere teams dominated their Southern rivals in Week 2 of the Autumn Nations Series with victories for Ireland, France, England, and Wales as well as Italy's first victory over Australia. Here's an overview of the weekend's events and the hot topics from week two.
Stats Alert
Winning teams spent less time with the ball in their own half, according to a second review of the statistics available on the Autumn Nations Series website. The most successful teams have determined that field position is now the priority, and they have implemented a high kicking strategy in that area of the field, doing so in fewer phases and less time.
For offensive coaches, achieving ruck speeds of under 3 seconds is the goal, while for defence coaches, coming up with ways to stop it is the holy grail. Italy created 85.1% of their possessions in less than 3 seconds, much to Australia's dismay, while France struggled with South Africa's delaying strategies.
ANOTHER Rassie’s Rant
This week, Rassie Erasmus definitely went too far when he made yet another attempt to criticise match officials and voice his complaints on social media. In his tweets following the game, he highlights several events that Wayne Barnes and his officials "missed." Given that World Rugby has processes in place for coaches to get clarity for all teams after games, it is difficult to understand how the South Africa Rugby Football Union and World Rugby see this. Following football's lead, it would benefit the game to put an end to these post-match social media rants and implement a zero-tolerance policy for attempts to publicly humiliate match officials.
I know guys and accept it, we really only have ourselves to blame as the French were awsome both on the field (players)and off the field (supporters)!! We just have to fix these fundamental errors like tackle technique and simple passing 👇🏿Sorry 🇿🇦 we know 💔 pic.twitter.com/hte6ggyXk9
— Rassie Erasmus (@RassieRugby) November 12, 2022
Play of the round
Scotland was very close to defeating New Zealand for the first time in their history. They produced an excellent play to crack open the New Zealand defence after a difficult start. Hogg was tackled without the ball to prevent him from scoring, so he was given a penalty try for his efforts.
Well executed build up for the penalty try by Scotland v #AllBlacks #SCOvNZL Great pass & line by Hogg. Ref gets a good block in too!!! pic.twitter.com/Pli8ogFKRr
— Brett Igoe (@brettruganalyst) November 13, 2022
Red Card Week
Week 2 proved to be a different tale after Week 1 went without a red card. Three red cards caused all of the victims to be forced off the field of play due to their injuries. Due to a head-on head collision with Jonathan Danty, Pieter-Steph du Toit was given his marching orders, leaving the French centre with a broken cheekbone and an extended time on the side-lines.
— Jared Wright (@jaredwright17) November 12, 2022
French scrumhalf left the field after his badly timed attempt to catch the ball and taking out his former Toulouse team mate Cheslin Kolbe
Antoine Dupont's red card.#FRAvRSA #AutumnNationsSeries pic.twitter.com/S2HKvIsn4S
— Jared Wright (@jaredwright17) November 12, 2022
After 45 minutes, after this high shot on Joey Carbery, Albert Tuisue received his red card. While the majority of the rugby community supported the referee's ruling, Fiji coach Vern Cotter found it difficult to understand the uproar.
You might want to look at it again. pic.twitter.com/qehumUNGTN
— Brett Igoe (@brettruganalyst) November 12, 2022
Italy storm to victory v Austraila (28-27)
What a victory for Italy in Florence, where wonderkid Ange Capuozzo of Toulouse scored two outstanding tries. The Breakthrough Player of the Year award in World Rugby is unquestionably going to Capuozzo.
Ange Capuozzo is special
And this is a brilliant team try
Australia now back to 17-8, but a brilliant game to watch so far#ITAvAUSpic.twitter.com/g6F8fhP02e— Paul Eddison (@pauleddison) November 12, 2022
🇮🇹 28-27 🇦🇺
Brilliant winning try by Italy & Ange Capuozzo#AutumnNationsSeries | #ITAvAUS pic.twitter.com/LNw2Damns0— Brett Igoe (@brettruganalyst) November 12, 2022
In preparation for their matchup with New Zealand the following weekend, Eddie Jones' England cruised to a 53-17 victory over Japan. Guy Porter added two more tries to his increasing reputation, and the selection discussion next week will be interesting.
It's a first international try for Guy Porter 🏉
That move rounds off a comfortable half for England 🏴#AutumnNationsSeries #ENGvJPN pic.twitter.com/6H2jCn1JH6— Amazon Prime Video Sport (@primevideosport) November 12, 2022
Taulupe Faletau celebrated his birthday with a try and a man of the match performance as Wales beat a physical Argentina side 20-13.
💪 Big drive for the @WelshRugbyUnion side to send birthday boy Taulupe Faletau over the line 🥳#AutumnNationsSeries | #WALvARG pic.twitter.com/w60F7lG99g
— Autumn Nations Series (@autumnnations) November 12, 2022
This weekend's fixtures
England vs. New Zealand and Ireland vs. Australia are two of the most fascinating games in Round 3.
