Autumn Nations Series | Team of the week | week four

Four down, one to go! International Rugby is heading towards its final test of 2024 with a resurgent Ireland preparing to host a hurting Wallabies at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.

Whilst two teams remain in live action, the rest of the international rugby-playing world have disbanded to their clubs ahead of domestic leagues and the Investec Champions Cup return.

Playing out the string this weekend were some intriguing test matches, with the Springboks and France concluding an unbeaten series. These two sides, alongside Ireland and New Zealand, close out the year as the clear top four sides on the World Rugby rankings.

Behind this grouping, the battle for ranking points was fierce, with Argentina, Scotland, England, Australia, Fiji and Italy rounding out the top ten.

No doubt every side will be itching to get back to action in 2025, with several players looking to build on breakthrough seasons whilst others want to reassert their places within the squad as key veterans.

Taking this into account, here are the best performers from week four’s action.

1. Pierre Schoeman – Scotland
Muscular, dynamic and clinical, the Scottish loosehead was front and centre of his team’s ability to weather the early Australian storm. Demoralising their visitors both in the loose and at set piece time, the Scottish pack was immense on Sunday afternoon.

2. Gus McCarthy – Ireland
Making the debut of all debuts, the former Ireland U20 captain firmly added his name to the growing list of young Irish talent who will form the backbone of Andy Farrell’s squad going forward. Overcoming a marginally skew line-out throw to start his audition, McCarthy was about as close to perfect on debut as it comes for a hooker.

3. Wilco Louw – South Africa
Not quite the spring chicken many people think he is, the 30-year-old is hitting his best form at just the right time for a push towards the next World Cup. Obliterating the Welsh pack at scrum time and getting on the ball in attack, Louw was rampant and now looks set to be the Boks’ first choice in the number 3 shirt.

4. Grant Gilchrist – Scotland
Forming a lethal combination with Scott Cummings, Gilchrist was a monster at the breakdown against the Wallabies. Winning a lone turnover, Gilchrist was often the first player to clear out the breakdown, which opened up turnover opportunities for those around him. At line-out time, his four grabs formed a big portion of Scotland’s success in this department.

5. Franco Mostert – South Africa
Rampaging away for the opening try in Cardiff, the player of the match in the Boks’ final outing of 2024 was unstoppable on Saturday. Carrying the ball 15 times, making 13 tackles and winning 6 line-outs, the 33-year-old confirmed he was not simply going to give up his place in the squad to the younger contenders.

6. Jamie Ritchie – Scotland
Quite possibly the best showing from the former skipper who has lost in the starting spot in recent months. Nabbing 5 line-outs, winning 2 turnovers and topping the tackle charts with 15, Ritchie was impervious as he shut down the Wallabies’ highly touted backrow.

7. Charles Ollivon – France
Starting in the number eight shirt, the former French captain shifted around the backrow and was unbelievably good against Los Pumas. Completing 20 tackles, 12 carries and winning 2 line-outs, Ollivon silenced the calls for the next wave of world-class French backrows to replace him in the squad.

8. Jasper Wiese – South Africa
Clattering through Welsh defenders like a backyard rugby match at a summer holiday braai, Wiese was exceptional against Wales. Concluding his day with 19 carries as his team’s go-to gain-line wrecker for the opening sixty minutes, the former Leicester Tiger pin-balled his way around the Millennium Stadium.

9. Craig Casey – Ireland
Completing the performance that many Irish fans knew he was capable of, the Irish scrumhalf was exceptional and was a key reason the Irish attack finally fired for a full eighty minutes. Upping the tempo as both a passer and running threat, Casey showed his full box of skills when he finished off an incredible try where he went over the Fijian defence.

10. Beauden Barrett – New Zealand
Taking on a ferocious Italian defensive line, the All Blacks’ veteran was cool, calm and composed as Scott Robertson’s men concluded a successful tour with a solid, if not flashy, win. Carrying the ball 11 times, beating 5 defenders, scoring a try and kicking cleverly, Barrett was key to getting the Kiwis over the line against a game Italian side.

11. Louis Bielle-Biarrey – France
French Rugby’s latest superstar has grown tremendously over the past 18 months to now being one of the very best wingers in World Rugby. Building on his exceptional showing against New Zealand with a physical performance against Argentina. Beating 3 defenders, scoring a try and fronting up defensively the Bordeaux man has become undroppable for Fabian Galthie.

12. Bundee Aki – Ireland
Becoming one of the stranger trends in Irish Rugby, Aki was dropped after Ireland’s no-show against the All Blacks, only to bounce back in a big way this week. Externally, Aki didn’t appear to be the problem against the Kiwis, but the message it sent was clearly received by the Connacht veteran. Topping the carry charts (17), line-breaks (4) and ending second in defenders beaten (6), the 34-year-old proved he is firmly in Lions conversation once again.

13. Jesse Kriel – South Africa
Enjoying a golden period in his career, the often maligned centre finished off an incredible 2024 with a world-class showing against Wales. Carrying the ball 14 times with 6 defenders beaten, Kriel stretched the Welsh defence seemingly at will. Now closing in on his 31st birthday, Kriel feels more like he is at the start of a good run than the end of it.

14. Cheslin Kolbe – South Africa
Coming up just short in terms of the World Player Of The Year award with his teammate Pieter-Steph Du Toit earning the accolade, Kolbe was every bit the best back in World Rugby this year. Never put in a performance below that is below an 8 out of 10, the 31-year-old is in that sweet spot of his career where physically he is still in his prime and cerebrally, his rugby IQ is off the charts.

15. Leo Barre – France
A French fullback putting in a world-class shift? How out of character! Becoming the latest youngster to slot into the Les Bleus squad, the Stade Francais stand-out could well be the best option in the 15 shirt going forward for Fabien Galthie. Routinely taking the right option when returning kicks, Barre carried hard into Los Pumas defence, kicked well and ended the day as France’s top carrier with 77 meters. Exciting times lie ahead for the 22-year-old who has everything to become a world-class playmaker.