Rugby Union Autumn internationals (on Amazon Prime Video)

[Chris O'Connor]

Scotland 15 South Africa 30

World champions South Africa mightily impressive again at Murrayfield. They just physically dominate you and out muscle their way to victory.

Plan A for the Springboks and a bit of a reality check for Scotland. They just suffocate the life out of the opposition, starving them of the platform to be able to build pressure or field position. Win the set pieces and deny any ball to their opponents who desperately live of scraps.

Scotland who led 10-8 at HT were still in it with 20 minutes to go, at least on the scoreboard that is, but eventually that sustained pressure and power takes its toll, the legs give out and South Africa cash in on the resultant points dividend.

It showed exactly why their world champions, they've invented and now own the copyright to an inexpansive power game based around set piece dominance and control of the breakdown that muscles it's to victory by getting all the ball.

 

[gonetomorrow]

Fantastic performance by Ireland. Not over yet though.

 

[Jimishorts]

Well done Ireland.

 

[dublinbluenose]

Great win for Leinster, I mean Ireland.

 

[Chris O'Connor]

England 32 Australia 15

England dominant in possession and territory deservedly win comfortably against the Wallabies. That's about eight wins on the bounce over Australia.

Marcus Smith 'nominally' playing stand off and the man all the focus is on looks a decent kicker too. Wasn't too sure on the Smith Farrell combination but it could work after all.

For 60/70 minutes it was quite frustrating, England had all of the play and lots of chances but couldn't quite put them away and kept letting Australia keep within touching distance by giving silly penalties away.

A lot of strength in depth with the young lads coming off the bench in the final quarter to stretch the lead and make sure of the win.

A lot of injured players on the sidelines who will make us all the stronger. (Includes our two Covid casualties at prop forward in Marler and Genge.)

I think RSA are the strongest touring side this Autumn. It's not too contradictory to the rankings or rugby championship tsble as tourists often don't tour with their strongest XVs for all kinds of reasons, but South Africa seem to have most of theirs on tour.

Australia have been in a 'covid bubble' for such a long time the players seem jaded. Meanwhile the All Blacks don't look at full speed at all having struggled at times to beat a severely injury hit Welsh side, although the final score line was predictably convincing, and following it up with a loss today. Touring sides often don't reflect the true strength of a side but world champions South Africa have a more physical approach and seem to be coping best. Perhaps the Springboks are ok if all their forwards are fit as that's their strength.

Not the cleanest performance by England but a convincing win all the same.

 

[Chris O'Connor]

England 27 South Africa 26

With golden boy Marcus Smith slotting the late winning penalty, this feels like a massive moment in time for England. Stripped of so many, this rookie team beating the world champions and number one ranked team in the world is collosal for the future of English rugby.

A big, big win

 

[ForestBlue]

England 27 South Africa 26

With golden boy Marcus Smith slotting the late winning penalty, this feels like a massive moment in time for England. Stripped of so many, this rookie team beating the world champions and number one ranked team in the world is collosal for the future of English rugby.

A big, big win

Yes they did really well but the result could have gone either way. Not many teams can win such a tight game conceding so many penalties so fair play.

SA forward power though was immense at times and they bossed the England pack for long periods in the second half.

 

[Chris O'Connor]

Yes they did really well but the result could have gone either way. Not many teams can win such a tight game conceding so many penalties so fair play.

SA forward power though was immense at times and they bossed the England pack for long periods in the second half.

Tbf they were up against some huge inexperience in England's front row. South Africa's strength is their pack and their 'b' pack too in the second half.

A decent tactic to have so many forwards coming on and not weaken at all, South Africa have some truly great forwards

 

[ForestBlue]

Really good game to watch though and if you can replay on Amazon I may watch it back in the next few days.

 

[Chris O'Connor]

Really good game to watch though and if you can replay on Amazon I may watch it back in the next few days.

Usually can although may have to wait a day

 

[dublinbluenose]

Wayne Barnes once again proving he should be nowhere near a referee's whistle. Two different interpretations of whether a ball is out of a ruck or not.