Players from six countries make this week's Autumn Internationals Team of the Week after the third week of games concluded yesterday.
Fullback: ROB KEARNEY (Ireland)
A tad fortunate to avoid the sin-bin for a collision in the second half but he brought the assurance Ireland needed in the air. One clean break and two defenders beaten.
Winger: LIAM WILLIAMS (Wales)
Celebrated his 50th cap against Tonga in style, with his finish for Wales’s third try close to being work of art, seeing him come close to defying gravity as he kept his body in play despite appearing certain to be forced out. There was also an important offload and another try. If George North is fit, Warren Gatland has a wing selection headache for next weekend.
Centre: GARRY RINGROSE (Ireland)
Fourth time linking up with Bundee Aki in midfield and it looked like a seasoned partnership. Shit down any snipes, cleverly catching Beauden Barrett by surprise in the 21st minute to engineer a turnover. Footwork caused New Zealand midfield plenty of problems and for all his guile, his appetite to defend is reminiscent of another man who wore the 13 jersey with such distinction through the years.
Centre: BUNDEE AKI (Ireland)
The inside centre was willing, if not quite always able to stamp his authority. He tidied up loose ball more than once and had Sexton’s shoulder in defence. There was also a growth in the understanding with Ringrose.
Winger: JACOB STOCKDALE (Ireland)
Really struggled under the first two high balls that came his way. Great chase for the second half re-start. Playing with fire with a chip over Kieran Read which was blocked down but the Crusaders man knocked on. Then he produced the moment of magic Ireland desperately needed. Every team needs an x-factor finisher, Joe Schmidt has it in this Ulster flyer.
Fly-half: JOHNNY SEXTON (Ireland)
This was a performance that reinforces his claim to World Rugby Player of the Year. A game expertly steered by his leadership on both sides of the ball. His place kicking was peerless and he was the first Irish back to hit double-digit tackles. One minor blemish with a penalty conceded after a high tackle but responded with a great covering hit on Ioane. Peerless.
Scrum-half: EMBROSE PAPIER (South Africa)
Having got a total of 27 minutes of game time as a substitute in his first five Tests, Papier would have savoured 77 minutes in his first start against Scotland. He ran a good line and drew a defender before passing in the buildup to Kriel’s try, and his quick lineout throw in the 73rd minute resulted in the Boks getting back into Scotland’s 22. The 21-year-old passed 80 times, made 28m from three runs, and completed six of his seven tackles. He also kicked well, apart from one effort that gifted possession back to the hosts.
Prop: CIAN HEALY (Ireland)
51 minutes of pure power against the All Blacks. Thunderous outing from Healy. Big carries, the scrum was humming and he nearly shunted CJ Stander towards a beastly try until Savea got his torso in the way.
Hooker: GUIHEM GUIRADO (France)
The France captain scored the decisive try as France overcame Argentina 28-13 at Stade de France. He was also perfect at the lineout and held his own against the Argentina pack in the scrum.
Prop: TANIELA TUPOU (Australia)
Given another crack in the starting side, Tupou was much better in the open. He scored early in the second half as he unleashed his inner-rhino. Wallabies beat Italy 26-7.
Lock: DEVIN TONER (Ireland)
Hit Brodie Retallick with preposterous power to force a huge turnover shortly after Ireland's first penalty. Ireland have two other world-class line-out jumpers but Toner reigns supreme in the air. However, it would be unfair to limit his contribution to the set-piece. Toner uses his timber to considerable efficiency and has a real rugby brain. His ability to use his awkward frame in a defensive ruck to slow ball is an underappreciated trait and his x tackle count is striking.
Lock: JAMES RYAN (Ireland)
Almost seems as if there are two of him out there at times. Double figures for carries, tackles and rucks hit by half-time. Immense for 80+ minutes.
Flanker: MICHAEL LEITCH (Japan)
His try on the stroke of the 30th minute was a thing of beauty. Wriggled out of two tackles, skipped free and side-stepped Elliot Daly for good measure. By his own assessment to the media after he had a bad game. How very overly-critical.
Flanker: PETER O'MAHONY (Ireland)
Looks to be playing through the discomfort of a shoulder injury but still brought a serious level of intensity. Was kicking himself after a knock-on right at the start of the second half. His turnover just outside the Irish 22, minutes later, felt like a huge moment. Saved a certain try after the hour-mark when he chased back to claim a grubber.
Number 8: CJ STANDER (Ireland)
The 28-year-old was instrumental in establishing the base level for Ireland with a huge steal during the opening exchanges. Barrett kicked a second-half penalty and as New Zealand went in search of a vital equaliser, it was Stander who stood tall to force a huge turnover.
