A Derailed Chariot, Smiling Irish & A Near Escape

The 2022 Autumn Nations Series got underway this weekend. The All Blacks beat Japan in Tokyo and Australia beat Scotland in Edinburgh.

France beat Australia 30-29 at the Stade de France. Lalakai Foketi scored the only try of the game. Damian Penaud scored a crucial try for France in the dying minutes. France are the favourites for the 2023 Rugby World Cup. Australia came into the match having lost a home series to England and struggling in Rugby Championship. They were missing several key players. They are now level on points with Ireland at top of World Rankings. The team won the fixture. It was the Match of The Week.

Ireland beat South Africa in a rugby match in Dublin. The game was a battle of the titans in rugby. Both teams are ranked in the top four. The World Champions Boks came to Dublin looking to nullify the free-flowing Irish. A tense first half ended 6-6. In the second half, the home side dominated possession and territory. They scored two tries. Franco Mostert and Eben Etzebeth scored for the Bok's. Kurt-Lee Arendse scored a late try for Ireland. Cheslin Kolbe missed the conversion. It was the first time this year that both Jonathan Sexton and Kolbes missed conversions.

Argentina's Los Pumas beat England 30-29 in their northern hemisphere tour. Emiliano Boffelli scored a try, a conversion and six penalties. England were without Owen Farrell and Courtney Lawes. The game was played before the Rugby Championship. Los pumases are getting better with less than a year to go to the World Cup.

Emiliano Boffelli was the MVP of the week for Los Pumas. Los pumans beat England in a game few would have given them a chance. They are now just behind Ireland, South Africa, France and New Zealand in the world pecking order.