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Autumn Nations Series Highlights: Week 4
The 2024 Autumn Nations Series saw thrilling rugby across Europe. France outclassed Argentina, while Ireland’s eight-try rout of Fiji was a standout.
This roundup recaps the weekend’s key moments, player performances, and match highlights.
France 37-23 Argentina
Date: Friday 22nd November 2024
Venue: Stade de France, Paris
Referee: Luke Pearce (England)
Attendance: 66,640
Man of the Match: Joe McCarthy (Ireland)
Match Report
France completed an unbeaten Autumn Nations Series campaign after they produced a dominant display to earn a 37-23 victory over Argentina in Paris.Les Bleus started well, going 7-0 ahead via Thibaud Flament’s try, before the respective fly-halves took over. Los Pumas’ Tomas Albornoz kicked three penalties while Thomas Ramos added two off the tee as the French moved into a 13-9 lead.That was when the hosts took control as Gabin Villiere’s score and a penalty try, allied by another Ramos three-pointer, opened up a 21-point buffer at the interval.Argentina improved after the break, as evidenced by tries for Thomas Gallo and Ignacio Ruiz, but they never truly threatened a comeback and Louis Bielle-Biarrey’s effort rounded off a good few weeks for France.
Ireland 52-17 Fiji
Date: Saturday 23rd November 2024
Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Referee: Hollie Davidson (Scotland)
Attendance: 51,700
Man of the Match: Joe McCarthy (Ireland)
Match Report
Ireland Dominate Fiji with Eight-Try Performance at Aviva StadiumIreland delivered an emphatic 52-17 victory over Fiji, showcasing their dominance with eight tries at the Aviva Stadium. The hosts set the tone early, as Caelan Doris powered over the try line just five minutes in. Their first-half dominance continued with tries from Josh van der Flier, Craig Casey, and Mack Hansen, giving Ireland a commanding 28-3 lead at halftime.After the break, Ireland maintained their momentum. Bundee Aki, Gus McCarthy, and Rónan Kelleher each added tries, while Hansen completed his brace. Although Fiji showed flashes of brilliance with tries from Kitione Salawa and Setareki Turagacoke, their efforts were marred by discipline issues, leaving them outclassed by a relentless Irish side.
Wales 12-45 South Africa
Date: Saturday 23rd November 2024
Venue: Principality Stadium, Cardiff
Referee: Karl Dickson (England)
Attendance: 67,236
Man of the Match: Franco Mostert (South Africa)
Match Report
Wales suffered their worst losing streak yet, falling 45-12 to a dominant South Africa in Cardiff. The Springboks raced to a 19-0 lead within 19 minutes, with tries from Franco Mostert, Eben Etzebeth, and Kurt-Lee Arendse. Elrigh Louw added another before Rio Dyer responded for Wales, leaving them down 26-5 at halftime.Wales started the second half strong but failed to capitalize. South Africa punished them further with tries from Aphelele Fassi and Gerhard Steenekamp around the hour mark. Jordan Hendrikse sealed the win with a late try, while James Botham’s last-minute effort was mere consolation. Wales ended the year winless in Test matches.
Italy 11-29 New Zealand
Date: Saturday 23rd November 2024
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Turin
Referee: Pierre Brousset (France)
Attendance: 41,507
Man of the Match: Will Jordan (New Zealand)
Match Report
**All Blacks Win as Sam Cane Bids Farewell**New Zealand secured their 18th consecutive win against Italy, closing their autumn series with a 29-11 victory in Turin. It marked flanker Sam Cane’s final All Blacks appearance.Italy started strong, with Paolo Garbisi’s penalties giving them a 6-3 lead. However, New Zealand responded with tries from Cam Roigard and Will Jordan, and Beauden Barrett’s conversions made it 17-6 by halftime.Despite Italy’s early second-half pressure, Mark Tele’a extended the visitors’ lead. Tommaso Menoncello scored late for Italy, but Barrett’s try soon after sealed the win.Cane, ending his 104-cap career, received a standing ovation when substituted in the 67th minute. The 32-year-old was part of New Zealand’s 2015 World Cup-winning team and captained them to the 2023 final against South Africa.
Scotland 27-13 Australia
Date: Sunday 24th November 2024
Venue: Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh
Referee: Chris Busby (England)
Attendance: 67,144
Man of the Match: Blair Kinghorn (Scotland)
Match Report
Scotland concluded their autumn series with a confident 27-13 win over Australia at Murrayfield. Captain Sione Tuipulotu scored the only try of a fast-paced first half, which ended 7-3. After the break, Scotland took control, with Duhan van der Merwe scoring in the 51st minute, followed by Josh Bayliss in the 67th. Finn Russell’s try extended the lead to 21 points with 10 minutes left. A late try from Harry Potter provided a brief spark for the Wallabies, but it wasn’t enough to challenge Scotland’s dominance.
England 59-14 Japan
Date: Sunday 24th November 2024
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Twickenham
Referee: Craig Evans (Wales)
Attendance: 80,000
Man of the Match: Ollie Sleightholme (England)
Match Report
England secured their first autumn series win with a dominant 59-14 victory over Japan at Twickenham. The hosts led 35-7 at halftime, thanks to tries from Ben Earl, Sam Underhill, Jamie George (2), and Ollie Sleightholme. Japan’s Naoto Saito scored their only first-half try.Despite early second-half possession, Japan couldn’t capitalize. George Furbank and Luke Cowan-Dickie extended England’s lead before Kazuki Himeno scored for the visitors. Cowan-Dickie added another try, and Tom Roebuck capped the win with his first for England.
To watch all Autumn Nations Series matches, visit: TNT Sports and for all fixtures, visit: 7 Bamboos Rugby.
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