The 2024 Autumn Nations Series came to an an unremarkable ending this past weekend. Every result was fairly predictable, with not one upset result to speak of as the rugby world returns to club duties from this coming weekend onwards. Argentina was typically unpredictable in how it flopped against France in Paris, with many having expected Los Pumas – the most improved team in world rugby in 2024 – to make a statement against Les Bleus. Italy missed arguably its biggest chance to register a first ever victory over New Zealand, with the All Blacks being there for the taking all afternoon in Turin for the Azzurri.
France 37-23 Argentina
Ireland 52-17 Fiji
A rampant Ireland scored eight tries as they beat Fiji 52-17 at the Aviva Stadium. The hosts made a great start when Caelan Doris crashed over for a try in the fifth minute. Tries from Josh van der Flier, Craig Casey and Mack Hansen followed in a dominant first half that ended 28-3 to Ireland. After the break, Ireland added four more tries with Bundee Aki, Gus McCarthy and Rónan Kelleher all crossing, plus Hansen claiming his brace. The Flying Fijians did threaten at times – scoring two tries through Kitione Salawa and Setareki Turagacoke – but ill-discipline cost them, and they were well beaten on the day.
Wales 12-45 South Africa
Wales continued a horrific record losing run as they were beaten 45-12 by a ruthless South Africa in Cardiff. The Springboks blitzed the Welsh try line and were 19-0 up after only 19 minutes with Franco Mostert, Eben Etzebeth and Kurt-Lee Arendse all touching down. Elrigh Louw added a fourth Springbok try in the 34th minute, before Wales hit back with a try from Rio Dyer to trail 26-5 at half-time. Immediately after the break, Wales enjoyed their best spell of possession but couldn’t make it count on the scoreboard. Instead, the hosts conceded two further tries when Aphelele Fassi and Gerhard Steenekamp scored either side of the hour mark. Jordan Hendrikse added a seventh try when he dived across the line in the 76th minute to secure a comprehensive victory for the Boks. James Botham got a consolation try in the 80th minute as Wales ended the calendar year without a single Test victory.
Italy 11-29 New Zealand
Scotland 27-13 Australia
A confident Scotland ended their autumn series on a high as they comfortably beat Australia 27-13 at Murrayfield. Scotland captain Sione Tuipulotu got the only try of a full-throttle first-half that ended 7-3 in the host’s favour. After the break, Scotland began to exert more control over the match. Duhan van der Merwe touched down in the 51st minute and Josh Bayliss galloped into the corner in the 67th minute. Finn Russell then scored Scotland’s fourth try as their lead extended to 21-points with less than 10 minutes remaining. Harry Potter produced a bit of magic to score a consolation try for the Wallabies in the 75th minute, but it was too little, too late for the visitors.
England 59-14 Japan
England got their first win of the autumn series with a crushing 59-14 victory over Japan at Twickenham. England dominated the first half with tries from Ben Earl, Sam Underhill, Jamie George (2) and Ollie Sleightholme all contributing to a 35-7 lead at halftime. Japan’s sole first-half try was scored by Naoto Saito when he finished a sweeping team attack. The Brave Blossoms enjoyed their best period of possession early in the second half, but failed to make it count on the scoreboard. Instead, George Furbank and Luke Cowan-Dickie added two more tries for England before the hour mark. The visitors scored their second try when Kazuki Himeno dived over in the 62nd minute. Cowan-Dickie completed his brace in the final quarter and Tom Roebuck scored his first try for England as the hosts racked up a big win.
