The Analyst’s Autumn Nations Series Data Roundup: Week 4

The Autumn Nations Series concluded at the weekend. Australia came from behind to beat Wales in Cardiff and South Africa beat England at Twickenham.

Argentina, Australia, England, Fiji, France, Georgia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Samoa, Scotland, South Africa and Wales are playing a series.

Wales lost to Australia in the Autumn Nations Series. Wales were leading by 21 points at half-time. Australia scored 26 unanswered points to win the match. Lachlan Lonergan scored the game-winning try in 78th minute. Wales registered a 100% lineout success rate for the first time since March of this year. They also had a 99% success on their own rucks for second time in three matches. The team's 34 points were their most points scored against Tier 1 opposition since 2021. Jac Morgan scored more tries than any other forward in this season's Autumn Series (four).

England lost to South Africa 13-27. England made 21 handling errors during the match. Kurt-Lee Arendse scored five tries. Thomas du Toit was sent off in the 60th minute. South African team is optimistic of retaining the Webb Ellis Cup. New Zealand won it in 2015. The last time South Africans won the trophy was in 1990. They beat New Zealander in their last match 19-19. Eddie Jones' team won't be able to repeat that result in 2022. It was England's first Autumn Nations Series loss since 1990, when they lost 19 to New York.

Argentina have had a positive year, winning against Scotland, Australia and New Zealand and beating England. They also won at Twickenham for the first time since 2009. When they had the ball in hand for a continuous period, 59% of their carries committed at least two tacklers.

Australia won the Autumn Nations Series. They used 36 players over the last month. Mark Nawaqanitawase was the top-ranking player for tries, defenders beaten, line breaks, and offloads.

England had a disappointing Autumn Nations Series. They created five line breaks from offloads in the last month. England struggled to generate quick ball this autumn. 63% of England’s 22 exits in autumn came via carries.

Fiji played well in the Autumn Nations Series. They gained 433 metres per game in November. Fiji recorded an average of 4.8 metres gained per carry.

France won all three games in the Autumn Nations Series. They have a 100% win rate for the first time in their history. Les Bleus have the building blocks to go deep in a tournament and beat any team. They give up few chances, conceding just 6.3 22 entries per game.

Georgia beat Wales in their Autumn Nations Series game. Georgia's set piece was strong and they won nine out of 10 scrums. Their 94% tackle success rate was the joint best of any team in an Autumn Series this year.

Ireland went through the Autumn Nations Series unbeaten. They beat South Africa, Fiji and Australia. Their success was built on a strong defence. Of teams that played more than once in the autumn, Ireland conceded the fewest points per 22 entry (1.6).

Italy's attack has been much improved this year. They made six line breaks per game and recorded the best tackle evasion rate. Italy will be a tricky proposition in the Six Nations. They won their opening game against Samoa, before an historic first win against the Wallabies and then went toe-to-toe with the Springboks for 45 minutes in Genoa.

Japan had the highest rate of rucks under three seconds in this year's Autumn Nations Series. 67% of their breakdowns were completed in that time frame.

New Zealand won the Autumn Nations Series against Australia. They averaged more carries per game than any other team in the series (116) and committed two or more tacklers from 61% of those carries. New Zealand also scored the most points per match and scored four points a 22 entry.

Samoa finished the Autumn Nations Series with a flourish. They recorded three try assists from offloads and a line break assist. 44% of their offload attempts against Italy yielded either a try or a break.

Scotland had a mixed autumn, but showed signs of being back to their attacking best. Scotland averaged 29 defenders beaten per game, the highest tally of any team in the Autumn Nations Series.

Kurt-Lee Arendse was the top try scorer in this year's Autumn Nations Series. He gained the most metres of any player and made the best line breaks. South Africa have two world-class wingers in Cheslin Kolbe and Makazole Mapimpi. 31% of their carries were dominant.

Wales were the only team to have a 100% maul success rate in the Autumn Nations Series. They averaged 3.6 metres gained per mouthed, only France (4.3) and New Zealand (3.7) average more. Gareth Anscombe was the one player to record a goal-kicking success percentage of 100%.

The Analyst’s Autumn Nations Series Data Roundup: Week 4.