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The weekend gave us a minimalist masterpiece in Dublin garnished by neck rolls, a semifinal sequel stalemate at Twickenham, a Georgian statement in Cardiff which could be an anomaly or an inflection point, and romps for the Springboks, French, and Scotland over tough teams who just look exhausted and spent.
Praise for the stadia: the 250,000 or so spectators in six lovely venues were treated to proper scrum-ready pitches, diverse playlists and light shows, and a sense that for all the naysayers and nostalgists, Test rugby has never actually been better.
Three tiers within the top tier have been clarified. The top flight is Ireland, France, South Africa and New Zealand. Their matchups seem destined to be very close next year. The second flight — even with losses — is England, Australia, and Scotland. Finally, Argentina, Wales, Japan, and Italy are in the third flight: capable of beating the second flight often, but rarely knocking off the top.
The most valuable player of the week was revealed — in his absence — to be Johnny Sexton. Ireland is a different team without him and this is no solace for Andy Farrell and his squad, knowing that.
A Team of the Series is shaping nicely, but it will not be easy in some positions, with superlative performances coming from a full array of bold characters, new and old.
This week we will start from the front row, because the most intriguing battles (in London and Dublin) were decided (or drawn) up front.
Loosehead
Barrel-bodied Andrew Porter made 13 hard tackles against a fired up Wallaby pack with a disproportionate number of those ‘dominant.’ James Slipper’s bemused face aside; his work rate keeps increasing.
He would have craved his team to adopt the body height of Ox Nche, who continues to keep the technically excellent Steven Kitshoff on the pine, and put the Italians in retreat in Genoa. Will Stuart did very well to score in the great comeback for England. But our loosehead is young Ethan de Groot who torched Kyle Sinckler; the niggly Porter will take the bench spot.
Hooker
From afar, Dan Sheehan looks like he’s been playing Test rugby for ages, but a closeup reveals his baby face. Dublin was a war for the world’s top team stripped of their field general.
When a player-coach is missing, the youngsters can often go astray. But Sheehan keeps growing. Georgia employed a perfect 10 from 10 lineout against Wales in their historic 13-12 win. Even if Wales is currently the provider of historical moments for the ‘second tier’ this was still a seminal moment and hooker Giorgi Chkoidze must get a nod. Japan lost badly to France, but Atsushi Sakate continues his high 2022 form. Jamie George was a force of nature against the All Blacks. We will reward him with the starting spot, and have the Georgian Giorgi running on later.
Tighthead
Friendly farmer Frans Malherbe is carrying more nowadays (often five or more times) and still making looseheads wear him like a Houdini straight jacket. However, the Italian front row gave him little resistance. In contrast, Tadgh Furlong was in a dog fight, but still found a way to dance like an 80s bouncer on ecstasy.
Uncompromising Allan Alaalatoa was key to keeping the Irish to only 13 points at home in good conditions; and worked two shifts, as Taniela Tupou (who has never looked Test-level healthy this year) went down quickly. Tyrell Lomax handled Ellis Genge fine and brought more besides. Our tighthead starter will be Alaalatoa; the backup is Furlong, who has the hands of a halfback.
(Photo By Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile via Getty Images)
Tighthead lock
Brodie Retallick may have faded a bit at the tail end but this was due to his backs making poor choices. He was a beast, making 16 tackles, hardly putting a foot wrong, and bullying Jonny Hill.
Jonny Gray showed once again why he should have toured South Africa as a Lion: his work rate is off the charts (also 16 tackles); he was up against a useful Argentine second row (which seems to have played more than they should, this year).
Eben Etzebeth finally got a bit of a rest by starting on the bench, but his magnificent cameo which seemed to single-handedly lift the Bok pack to dominance showed why he seldom sits. There is no bad pick here, but we will reward Retallick for how technically good he was, and have Etzebeth be his reserve.
Loosehead lock
Nick Frost knows what a proper Test looks like now: no space, no time, no quarter, no mercy. He may have been the only Wallaby not to do a neck roll. He made eight very dynamic tackles and smashed into Ireland’s rucks (only 72 won, which carries on a worry trend for the frontrunner of not building enough of their famous rucks). He killed mauls in concert.
He is probably the best ‘find’ of 2022 for embattled Dave Rennie. He outplayed both James Ryan and Tadgh Beirne, who are among the top ten locks in the world.
A shout out to Nodar Cheishvili, who ran the perfect Georgian lineout, Maro Itoje for playing a link role in the comeback and being a good menace, and old Sam Whitelock, who does not know the word quit.
Blindside flank
In my Under the Pump article, I spoke of Frost’s (and Jack van Poortvliet’s) coming exam but also Scott Barrett’s chance for RWC 2019 redemption. He is a worker. But he can also force himself on a game and he did at Twickers. A big shift by the hallway pounder.
Honourable mention to the belligerent Matt Fagerson who ran hard and made 12 tackles in out-dueling Marcos Kremer, as well Anthony Jelonch who may be the form six in the autumn series.
Openside flank
Siya Kolisi is one of the best forward carriers in space with his impeccable sense of space and ball security. He led an utter demolition of Italy one week after they had their moment.
Josh van der Flier, a deserved World Rugby player of the year, made an astonishing 24 tackles (or over ten percent of the team’s stops). Dalton Papali’i can’t stop scoring and jackling. But Michael Hooper is back. Fifteen tackles, timely turnovers, big vibes, and a warrior’s spirit. Take your spot and welcome back. On the bench will be Papali’i, who can cover all three loose positions.
No. 8
Lovely play again by Ardie Savea who is inexhaustible. Georgian athlete Tornike Jalaghonia was probably the best player on the pitch in Cardiff. But Caelan Doris was a cut above, with 21 tackles and 41 serious metres gained. He is a smart player with plenty of more upside; a frightening notion.
Scrumhalf
The play from the base this autumn has been superb at times. Nic White may be the most disliked player outside Australia, but that’s like the reality that lawyers get worried when lawyers jokes cease. If you are doing your job as a barrister or a halfback, you will be despised by the other side.
(Photo By Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile via Getty Images)
White was jostled by Porter and others and just kept yapping, and playing, and making a difference.
Aaron Smith is and has been the best scrumhalf in world rugby in the last ten years. Jack van Poortvliet will have a good, long career, but the gulf was large on Saturday.
Faf de Klerk is still in danger of being player 22 instead of No. 9 for the Boks in France next year, but the Asterix lookalike whirled and twirled and dismantled Italy.
Behind these three Southern stars was hero Vasil Lobzhanidze of Georgia and the excellent Ali Price, who helped spark the Scottish outburst.
Flyhalf
The Boks wanted Damian Willemse to start every key Test of 2022 at fullback (playing first receiver in the red zone) with Willie le Roux the player 23, allowing Gazza to slot in at 12 at the end of Tests. Instead, with Handre Pollard finding his ligaments and Elton Jantjies finding his life, Willemse was thrown into a starting flyhalf role, with mixed (Sydney good, Dublin bad) results.
The difference Manie Libbok — a proper ten — made in the second half was extreme. The 63-21 scoreline had a lot to do with Libbok’s understanding of space won by boot, not dancing.
Matthieu Jalibert was a similar savior of French blushes in the second half at Toulouse.
Bernard Foley was not the problem in the Wallaby loss: that was a game designed for him and he seemed the best ten on the field.
However, it was Finn Russell who took the stage in the 52-29 walloping of the Pumas. On his day, Russell can seize a game better than any other playmaker. Had Gregor Townsend kept his ego in check, there is a very good chance that a Russell-led Scotland would have rustled a perfect series.
Left wing
Duhan van der Merwe is making a fine case for inclusion in the Team of the Series. He is hard to play.
Mark Nawaqanitawase looked like he was seeing the game better than Jimmy O’Brien and the Irish back three; he beat four defenders. made a break, gained 54 key metres in a trench warfare match, and kept the Wallabies in the fight.
But take a bow, Kurt-Lee Arendse, who could have had a hat-trick if he was selfish. He outleaps taller men, tackles like a textbook, and set the field on fire with 174 metres gained.
Inside centre
Jordie Barrett is just a fine rugby player. If you had to pick a guy who could play 10 positions including lock, he’d be the one.
Stuart McCloskey continues to give Andy Farrell a “good problem.” But it is his centurion son Owen who is our 12, with his indomitable spirit igniting the comeback.
Outside centre
Garry Ringrose is such a good 13 he can cover over the cracks around him. Rieko Ioane is still learning the complex 13 position but he’s such a good athlete it does not seem to matter.
But Len Ikitau takes this spot with ten crucial tackles, including one that removed part of Bundee Aki’s soul.
Right Wing
It’s Darcy Graham. That’s all. Watch the highlights. Or the whole match.
Fullback
The excellent play from the very back persisted.
Stuart Hogg reminded us of why he was thought to be the best ever. Ange Capuozzo found a rare seam in the Bok midfield. Freddie Steward seemed to realise he can take over a period in a Test.
But foxy Willie le Roux showed his flat-passing, growling-griping, space-invading class in Genoa.
Flop-haired Jordan Petaia was an “all-back” but seemed to fit a classic attack from way back mode and he will be player 23. He competed. Full-bore. He’s a difference maker.
Team of Week Four
Ethan de Groot (NZ), Jamie George (England), Allan Alaalatoa (Australia), Brodie Retallick (NZ), Nick Frost (Australia), Scott Barrett (NZ), Michael Hooper (Australia), Caelan Doris (Ireland), Aaron Smith (NZ), Finn Russell (Scotland), Kurt-Lee Arendse (SA), Owen Farrell (England), Len Ikitau (Australia), Darcy Graham (Scotland), Willie le Roux (SA).
Bench:
Giorgi Chkoidze (Georgia), Andrew Porter (Ireland), Tadgh Furlong (Ireland), Eben Etzebeth (SA), Dalton Papalii (NZ), Faf de Klerk (SA), Matthieu Jalibert (France), Jordan Petaia (Australia).
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.