Autumn Nations Series | Team of the week | week three

Three weeks down, two to go! The 2024 Autumn Nations Series has picked up where the Rugby World Cup left off with some incredible test matches.

Beginning on Friday evening where Ireland got back on the track as they blew Argentina off the park in the first half. Los Pumas then showed their class in the second half by mounting a serious comeback with a moment of brilliance from Juan Cruz Mallia, netting the Argentinean’s only try of the match. From here, Ireland battened down the hatches to hold on for a narrow win, with a few young players standing up as Andy Farrell looked to reinvigorate his squad.

On Saturday, Portugal showed glimpses of why they deserve more opportunities at the top table in a 59 – 21 loss to Scotland at Murrayfield. From there, England continued their trend of shutting down in the final quarter of contests as the Springboks battered their way to a 29 – 20 win. Closing out the day was the match of the series as France edged the All Blacks in an all-time classic 30 – 29 at the Stade de France.

Finally, on Sunday, Italy rebounded from a poor first half to scrape past Georgia 20 – 17, who, like Portugal, continue to prove they are ready for more top-line rugby action.

From Geona to Cardiff, where Welsh Rugby witnessed the latest in a string of dark days as the Wallabies whacked Warren Gatland’s side 52 – 20.

Here is RugbyDump’s team of the week from week three of the Autumn Nations Series.

1. Tamaiti Williams – New Zealand
Fresh off seeing some pundits suggest that Williams was not at his best against France, we at RugbyDump could not disagree more. Listed at 144kg, the 6’5″ bruiser has taken his opportunities to solidify himself as the clear-cut first-choice loosehead this season. Ultra dynamic once again around the park, Williams’ power in the carry, work rate at the ruck and physicality in defence are unmatched by any front rower at the present moment. At scrum time, he is growing into a top-class operator, whilst his lifting abilities play a huge role in the All Black’s top-class line-out.

2. Matt Faessler – Australia
Three tries from 11 carries with 11 tackles made paint the picture for what was an exceptionally efficient showing from the Wallabies hooker. At set-piece time, Faessler was pinpoint accurate, whilst his threat around the ruck was notable even if it didn’t pop off the stats chart.

3. Georges-Henri Colombe – France
Pulling off a top-notch performance for 71 minutes following an injury to starter Tevita Tatafu, the Stade Rochelais tighthead was immense. Completing 13 tackles (2 dominant) to go with his incredible 3 turnovers, Colombe was a physical force for Les Bleus as they downed the All Blacks in a thriller.

4. Joe McCarthy – Ireland
Yellow card aside, ‘Big Joe’ delivered exactly what his team needed against a game Los Pumas side. Battering the South Americans with 17 tackles whilst absolutely wrecking their ruck, the Leinster star proved once again why he is one of the first names on the team sheet for Andy Farrell’s side. Still just 23-years-old, McCarthy is one of several key young players for an Irish side that have firmly begun their transition.

5. Pedro Rubiolo – Argentina
Standing up when his team appeared down and out, the big lock got stuck in as a willing carrier and a ferocious defender with 21 tackles (3 dominant). Whilst Los Pumas backrow will garner the plaudits (and rightly so) for a top-notch showing, Rubiolo was the workhorse that made things click in the second half.

6. Paul Boudehent – France
Just edging Springbok skipper Siya Kolisi, the French blindside was a monster against the All Blacks. Dotting down for a super try, completing 14 tackles (3 dominant) and carrying the ball 8 times, the Stade Rochelais bone collector has established himself as Les Bleus enforcer in 2024.

7. Josh van der Flier – Ireland
What can be written about the former World Player Of The Year that hasn’t been said before? As one of the key veterans in the Irish squad who is still performing at the peak of his powers, the Leinster star was everywhere against Argentina. Carrying the ball 14 times to go with his 26 tackles, van der Flier knuckled down and did the hard yards into the face of Argentine pressure.

8. Joaquin Oviedo – Argentina
Rangy, skilful and intelligent, the 23-year-old offers shades of the great Kieran Reid in how he plays the game. Topping the carries charts against Ireland with 19 with 4 defenders beaten and 16 tackles made, Oviedo went toe-to-toe with the best number eight in the world (Caelan Doris) for the full eighty minutes.

9. Cam Roigard – New Zealand
The King is dead; long live the King! Just as the world was getting comfortable with the All Blacks being a little shaky in key positions, Roigard returned to remind everyone that he has the potential to challenge Antoine Dupont for the mantle of best nine in the world.

10. Jack Crowley – Ireland
Fending off the challenge of both Ciaran Frawley and Sam Prendergast, the Munster star was simply superb through fifty minutes against Los Pumas. Claiming an exceptional try, nailing his shots at goal (outside of a conversion) and landing a killer drop goal when Ireland was a man down, Crowley proved once again he is the man to back for the men in green. Despite the growing noise (mainly from the Dublin-centric media think tank), Crowley is significantly ahead of his rivals as Ireland’s first choice ten. Still, just 24 years old, Crowley, along with a host of other Ireland players, will be the backbone of the squad that builds towards the 2027 Rugby World Cup.

11. Louis Bielle-Biarrey – France
French Rugby is red hot right now, and the Bordeaux winger is a player who epitomises everything positive about les Bleus. Intent on attacking at every opportunity, the speedster left the All Blacks for dead as he hared after a kick-through to claim a key try. Away from this, the lightweight paceman fronted up defensively and handled the All Blacks’ kicking game masterfully.

12. Damian De Allende – South Africa
Still doing business as one of the Springbok’s seasoned operators, de Allende was muscular against England. Fronting up in the face of England’s admittedly helter-skelter rush defence, the 32-year-old marched through tackles, most notable through Henry Slade. In a match where there were limited opportunities, de Allende was the Boks gainline bashing maestro in London.

13. Garry Ringrose – Ireland
Ireland’s meter munching ball carrier is such a smooth operator. Ending his day with 73 meters from 10 carries with 4 defenders beaten, a line break and an offload, Ringrose was exceptional when the Irish tails were up. When Argentina came back into the contest, Ringrose fronted up with 15 tackles and a turnover.

14. Cheslin Kolbe – South Africa
With two tries, 4 defenders beaten, and a physical defensive showing, Kolbe was immense for the Boks at Allianz Stadium. While his footwork catches the eye, Kolbe’s work off the ball sets him apart. Offering himself as a threat all over the park, Kolbe had the English defence on their heels all day.

15. Tom Wright – Australia
Edging Los Pumas Juan Cruz Mallia, who was exceptional against Ireland, the Wallabies fullback continues to prove just how important coaching staffs are. Under Eddie Jones, Wright was seen a surplus to requirements, since Joe Schmidt has come in, he has hit world class form. Completing an off-the-charts stats day with 243 meters gained from 12 carries to go with his 3 tries; Wright simply annihilated Wales.