Autumn Nations Series Highlights: Second Weekend

The second weekend of the 2024 Autumn Nations Series brought thrilling matchups, hard-fought victories, and standout performances. Here are the highlights:

Ireland 13-23 New Zealand

Date: Friday, 8th November 2024
Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Attendance: 51,700
Referee: Nic Berry (Australia)

New Zealand defeated Ireland 23-13 in a physical battle. Ireland’s Jack Crowley scored two penalties, but the All Blacks took a narrow 9-6 lead at halftime thanks to Damian McKenzie’s three successful penalties. Josh van der Flier’s try gave Ireland a brief second-half lead, but McKenzie’s further penalties and a late try by Will Jordan sealed the win for the visitors.

Match Stats

• Tries: Ireland – Van der Flier (43′); New Zealand – Jordan (69′)
• Man of the Match: Damian McKenzie (New Zealand)

England 37-42 Australia

Date: Saturday, 9th November 2024
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Twickenham
Attendance: 81,329
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand)

In an edge-of-your-seat match at Twickenham, Australia emerged victorious with a last-minute try by Max Jorgensen to clinch a 42-37 win over England. Early tries by Chandler Cunningham-South put England ahead, but Australia responded fiercely. The game saw end-to-end action and a nail-biting finish, with Jorgensen’s try sealing the thrilling encounter.

Match Stats

• Tries: England – Cunningham-South (5′, 12′), Sleightholme (57′, 68′), Itoje (78′); Australia – Wright (27′), Wilson (34′), Williams (50′), Kellaway (75′), Jorgensen (80’+3)
• Man of the Match: Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (Australia)

Wales 19-24 Fiji

Date: Sunday, 10th November 2024
Venue: Principality Stadium, Cardiff
Attendance: 61,587
Referee: Luc Ramos (France)

Fiji secured a historic 24-19 win over Wales, marking their first-ever victory in Cardiff. Wales opened the scoring with Blair Murray’s try, but discipline issues saw both teams suffer yellow cards, with Fiji’s Radradra receiving a 20-minute red card. Despite this, Caleb Muntz’s penalties and a late try by Josua Tuisova propelled Fiji to a well-earned victory.

Match Stats

• Tries: Wales – Murray (8′), Penalty Try (19′), Bevan (66′); Fiji – Muntz (24′), Tuisova (60′)
• Man of the Match: Caleb Muntz (Fiji)

Scotland 15-32 South Africa

Date: Sunday, 10th November 2024
Venue: Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh
Attendance: 67,144
Referee: Christophe Ridley (England)

South Africa dominated Scotland in a high-paced game, winning 32-15. Early tries from Mapimpi and du Toit gave the Springboks a 19-9 lead at halftime. Despite Scotland’s attempts to close the gap with Finn Russell’s penalties, South Africa’s late surge, capped by Jasper Wiese’s try, secured the victory.

Match Stats

• Tries: Scotland – None; South Africa – Mapimpi (4′, 35′), T du Toit (30′), Wiese (79′)
• Man of the Match: Eben Etzebeth (South Africa)

To watch all Autumn Nations Series matches, visit: TNT Sports and for all fixtures, visit: 7 Bamboos Rugby.