Bledisloe Cup & Autumn internationals – winners and losers

I recorded the Bledisloe Cup as I was not around at 3-30am on Saturday morning.

New Zealand won narrowly 23-20 and Australia made a better fist of it than in last week’s match.

Their fly half Carter Jordan had another impressive game.

However the All Blacks  had too much pace and power, epitomised by number 8 Ardie Savea.

Some of the ABs are approaching the end of their shelf life – e.g. Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Aaron Smith, Beauden Barrett and Dane Coles – but rest assured the pipeline of new talent will be flowing.

With the final prep match for the World Cup being against France in France at the end of this month it seems Eddie Jones’ Wallabies look the real losers and that the ABs are hitting their strides at exactly the right time.

Scotland beat France which surprised me until I saw Dupont and Ollivon were absentees and it seemed more a trial for their peripheral players.

I still think France v. New Zealand may well be the first match and also the Final of the forthcoming World Cup.

There were so many Quins selected for the England match v. Wales that I was not sure whether I should wear my red rose England jersey or my Quins one.

Marcus Smith had a fine first half but I still see him as the Glenn Hoddle of England rugby – ferociously talented but he never quite delivers on the international stage.

Alex Dombrandt again failed to impress, as did Danny Care.

It will be interesting to see if any of the Quins on view yesterday in a 20-9 reverse make the final 33 shortly to be announced.

My outside each way bets for the World Cup are Scotland and Fiji – who won in Japan – as they  play without fear and might upset a so called stronger side.

My tip for player of the tournament is Will Jordan, the New Zealand winger, who has scored 23 tries in his last 24 matches. He has pace to burn, swerve and also excellent judgment.