Autumn Internationals Team of the Week: Do you agree with our selection?

Rugby News

by Steven Smith

Saturday, 25 November 2017 at 21:18

bySteven Smith

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Players from all four home nations make this weekend’s Autumn Internationals Team of the Week - but who has made the team and who misses out.

Fullback: Rob Kearney - Ireland

Aggressive carries, still no offloads, but Joe Schmidt looks certain to bet on the veteran fullback all the way to Japan in 2019. -

Wing: Elliot Daly - England

Kept his head up for Lozowski’s try and took both of his very well, each time stepping in off his left foot. His dander was up after his first and he continues to grow as an international winger. -

Centre: Huw Jones - Scotland

Skinned his man for Scotland’s fourth try. Made it look easy. Threatened every time he got his hands on the ball. Runs great angles and has the ability to beat an opponent on a sixpence. A class act and one of the many reasons why no team in international rugby will be able to switch off against Scotland in the foreseeable future.

Centre: Francois Venter - South Africa

Good interception and defensive work in the third minute set the tone for what was to come from Venter throughout the game. Ran straight at the line and always talking and communicating in the backline, a real defensive general. Deserved try in the 33rd minute. -

Wing: Byron McGuigan - Scotland

Called in to start at the last minute but marked his first Test start with a impressive double. -

Fly-half: Finn Russell - Scotland

Another exceptional display from the fly-half as quick-thinking ran the legs off the Australians. -

Scrum-half: Aaron Smith - New Zealand

Brilliantly calm work for Naholo's first try after Ioane's break and superbly crisp distribution all night was epitomised by excellent fired pass out wide to Naholo for his second score. -

Prop: Rob Evans - Wales

If he was a New Zealander, the loose-head prop would be in their team because he’s a good footballer and has the skill to back it up. Another plus point was the Welsh scrum doing better than many were expecting.

Hooker: Stuart McInally - Scotland

Now clearly Scotland’s best hooker after standing up to the Wallabies muscular pack. Also on the scoresheet. -

Prop: Tadhg Furlong - Ireland

crum penalty on 12 minutes began a day of set-piece domination. Marked man since Lions tour but the trademark gainline breaches continue. Monstrous hit on 54 minutes went to the TMO for foul play but all that did was showcase the perfection of his tackle. -

Lock: Eben Etzebeth - South Africa

He was always there to lead the physical battle with plenty of carries. One of his massive hits on Sergio Parisse led to a turnover in the 47th minute.

Lock: Jonny Gray - Scotland

Back to his domineering best as he tackled everything in sight. Capped great display with a try. -

Flanker: John Barclay - Scotland

A true skipper’s performance. Got the try he deserved near the end as he outshone the renowned Aussie back-row. -

Flanker: Sam Cane - New Zealand

as like a bull stomping around the turf in Cardiff, smashing anything that moved in Welsh red. Made try-saving tackle on Taulupe Faletau in the first half and one crucial bone-crunching hit that dislodged the ball when Wales were chasing a second-half lead with the All Blacks defending their own line. Finished with 21 tackles.-

Number eight: Sam Simmonds - England

Supposedly not big enough to play No8 at Test level but this was an excellent first international start. Not the largest but he is slippery and was among England’s best carriers. We’ll see him again. -

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