"South Africa and Ireland played out a slugfest for the ages and the discourse has been dominated by yellow cards and flying shoulders to the head. England held off a spirited Argentina to claim their 11th consecutive Test win and it seems all anyone can talk about is some alleged after-the-whistle shoving. Wales and New Zealand traded 11 tries in a ding-dong encounter and yet the narrative is weighed down by caveats concerning fading empires."
"An obvious jumping off point is the Springboks' pack. Even without Ox Nche, the first prop to be nominated for World Rugby's player of the year award, and Frans Malherbe, arguably the most formidable tighthead of the past six years, that hefty mass in green pulverised the Irish on their own patch. Two Irish front-rowers were yellow-carded as their scrum conceded six penalties and one penalty try. This was rugby reduced to its purest concentrate, its base ingredients on show as coach Rassie Erasmus finally claimed a win on Irish shores."
Autumn international rugby has produced thrilling, competitive matches that have often been overshadowed by controversy over discipline and officiating. High-profile encounters included South Africa dismantling Ireland's scrum, England narrowly beating Argentina amid after-the-whistle allegations, and a high-scoring Wales–New Zealand game burdened by narratives of fading powers. The Springboks' forward dominance featured multiple Irish yellow cards, six scrum penalties and a penalty try, while France rediscovered attacking flair with standout finishes out wide. Many memorable moments and individual performances have combined to make the autumn series both entertaining and contentious.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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