Grading every single Tier One nation based on their Autumn Internationals
Rugby NewsSunday, 25 November 2018 at 11:41
The international rugby sun has set for another year with all eyes now firmly fixed on the World Cup in Japan.
With less than 12 months to the showpiece, the autumn internationals have provided one of the final proving grounds for sides as they finalise their 2019 preparations.
Some have positioned themselves perfectly for an assault on the Webb Ellis Cup, while others have a lot of work to do – in a pretty small amount of time.
Here we take a look at how each team has performed in the last four weeks, grading them accordingly using this scale:
ARGENTINA
Opponents: Ireland, France, Scotland
Record: Three defeats
Standout performance: N/a
Rating: F
A disappointing end to what has been a year that showed some promise for the Pumas.
AUSTRALIA
Opponents: Wales, Italy, England
Record: One win, two losses
Standout performance: Rolls eyes...
Grading: E
Things go from bad to worse for Australia. Their team morale seems low and that has corresponded to a series of very poor performance.
ENGLAND
Opponents: South Africa, New Zealand, Japan, Australia
Record: Three wins, one loss
Standout performance: The final day hosing of Australia
Grading: B+
FRANCE
Opponents: South Africa, Argentina, Fiji
Record: One win, two losses
Standout Performance: The win over Argentina
Grading: E
The French enigma continues and the drawing board awaits.
IRELAND
Opponents: Italy, Argentina, New Zealand, USA
Record: Four wins from four
Standout performance: The New Zealand win
Grading: A*
SOUTH AFRICA
Record: Two wins, two losses
Standout performance: A gutsy win in France
Grading: C
NEW ZEALAND
Opponents: Japan, England, Ireland, Italy
Record: Three wins, one loss
Standout performance: England, just about
Grading: C
SCOTLAND
Opponents: Wales, Fiji, South Africa, Argentina
Record: Two wins, two losses
Standout performance: A win over Argentina
Grading: C
WALES
Opponents: Scotland, Australia, Tonga, South Africa
Record: Four wins from four
Standout performance: The South Africa win
Grading: A
There were so many firsts for Wales to celebrate with this latest win over South Africa it was difficult for Warren Gatland to know what most to be encouraged by.
How about the first time Wales have ever won all four games in the autumn internationals? The first time Wales have ever beaten a member of the southern hemisphere’s big three four times in succession? The first time Wales have recorded nine consecutive wins this century?
An obvious A grade.
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- Jordie Barrett over Damian de Allende is far from being correct. The hype around Dupont is also overreaching, he's probably 4th in the world and has been since the 2023 WC. He also avoids certain matchups which is strange. The rest of the list is pretty good apart from minor subjective biases.JasonMarlow16-09-2026
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