the Autumn Internationals

Time was when the autumn internationals were a winter break from the Premiership and an appetiser between the Rugby Championship and the Six Nations but now it’s fully fledged well sponsored month long tourney between the Southern Hemisphere and Northern. It kicked off which a resounding win of England over Wallabies (24-7) . England have always had depth exemplified by Henry Pollock and Guy Pepper but still don’t convince me. Aside from Maru Itoje. Fey-Wobuso and Tommy Freman how many would even make the South African squad?

I was really looking forward to Ireland v New Zealand in Soldier Field but was disappointed. It was arguable whether Tadeij Bierne deserved a red card for his shoulder into the dave of Beauden Barrett but what is undeniable is that it took 6 minutes to decide interrupting the flow of a bitty match. New Zealand asserted themselves in the second half but this is not the Irish side that overcame the All Blacks 9 years ago. Then they had Johnny Sexton and Conor Murray and now the majority of their team are 30+ They looked rusty with only Lions experience and have a problem at fly half choosing between Sam Prendergast and Jack Crowley. The real test for the ABs will be France v New Zealand later in the month