Autumn Internationals Team of the Week: Who were the top performers in round two?
Rugby NewsSunday, 11 November 2018 at 09:51
Players from six countries make this week's Autumn Internationals Team of the Week after the second week of games concluded yesterday.
15. STUART HOGG (Scotland)
Carried with his usual menace when he got a chance (his 50 metres gained was more than anyone else except Peter Horne) but generally well policed by Fiji, which perhaps opened up opportunities for the wingers (who scored four tries between them).
14. TOMMY SEYMOUR (Scotland)
An easy run-in for his first try in nine matches (since Italy in March 2017) got him off the mark, hit a clever and brave line at heroic pace for his second just before the hour mark, and scooted over in the corner for his hat-trick in the 61st minute. Surpassed Hogg to become the most prolific international try-scorer in the current Scotland squad wth 19 from 45 Test matches.
13. WILL ADDISON (Ireland)
Considering his late call-up into the team, he bedded in impressively and there is no doubting his pedigree as a footballer and his ability to read the game.
12. PETER HORNE (Scotland)
Generally, showed terrific work-rate throughout, and asked a lot of positive questions with the ball in hand. Was Scotland’s top carrier with 52 metres gained. A busy and effective afternoon before being replaced by Adam Hastings with ten minutes to go.
11. CHRIS ASHTON (England)
Held his width to sniff the first try and rushed up to close New Zealand’s space in defence. An admirable return to the starting side.
10. TOMMASO ALLEN (Italy)
Conor O’Shea’s Italy scored four tries, including one by the talented fly-half, who also kicked two penalties and a conversion, in the first meeting of the sides since 2003.
9. GREIG LAIDLAW (Scotland)
Did what he was there to do. Five from five off the kicking tee, and harnessed Scotland’s attack towards the end of the second half to take the sting out of a potential Fijian uprising with a sustained period of tight play which yielded two yellow-cards and eventually a try for Seymour.
1. CIAN HEALEY (Ireland)
The scrum was a knife-through-butter for the first try and one against-the-head was the propeller for the second. There was one never-on offload that was one of the few bad points on a fine showing from Ireland’s reliable loose-head
2. FRASER BROWN (Scotland)
Should have had two first half tries off the back of his powerful work in close quarter combat, but the second one was chalked off for a Jamie Ritchie obstruction. A bustling ball of energy, as we have come to expect. Replaced by McInally in 52 minutes.
3. TADHG FURLONG (Ireland)
Farmer’s strength is a real thing. A bullocking barge was augmented by a try-earning scrum, penalties in that area and venom to his ruck work. Shook his head when rattled by a double-tackle and got back to being a workaholic.
4. ALUN WYN JONES (Wales)
Another big display from Wales's captain. Did brilliantly to hold up a Wallaby ball-carrier and not long after came up with fend that rocked Foley back — an action that prompted social media chatter about its legality. But he was at the heart of all that was good about Wales after the break, foraging, clattering, charging. The raging fire at heart of Welsh pack.
5. BRODIE RETALICK (New Zealand)
Freakish performance given his limited recent game time. Destroyed England lineout in second half and was into absolute everything. A big reason why the All Blacks won.
6. JUSTIN TIPRUIC (Wales)
Started with such a bang that the noise abatement society might have been tempted to get involved, securing a ruck turnover and a line-out steal in the first 10 minutes. Another possession steal followed. Stood firm in breakdown battle with David Pocock and deserved his man of the match award for the second week running. Is operating at the peak of his powers.
7. SAM UNDERHILL (England)
Mammoth test from the 22-year-old. Made 20 tackles and over the line for what would have been a match-winner, only for the try to be ruled out. Very promising.
8. KIERAN READ (New Zealand)
Leadership couldn't be faulted and made right decisions at right times. A lineout force and part of a brilliant set piece.
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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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