1. Beware Australia: new directive encourages England box kick
The Wallabies would have taken a lot out of England’s 24-22 loss to the All Blacks ahead of their test at Twickenham next week: the challenges and opportunities. And it was immediately clear that a new directive to referees – yes, another one – has had an unintended consequence for the worse.
Australian referee Angus Gardner could be heard constantly yelling “access, access” at the team preparing to field a catch, a signal for them not to block the kick-chaser. Sounds good in theory, but it seemed to encourage an endless stream of box kicks – especially from England.
They got their reward out of it – with the kick-chaser now free to flatten the catcher – but they ultimately overcooked the tactic and looked less enterprising than during their Tests in New Zealand in July. The lesson for the Wallabies: nail your high-ball work and there’ll be chances, or else it’ll be a long afternoon.
2. England won’t ditch the blitz
Whoever gets the Wallabies No.10 jersey next week can be sure of one thing: England are not going to back down from their aggressive line speed. They tried to get into the All Blacks’ faces all afternoon at Twickenham and enjoyed some success, too.
The Wallabies No.10 will constantly have to make decisions about when is the right time to go wide, because there will be space through the hands and off the boot. The margins are fine, and the Wallabies will probably lose some moments, but they would have also noticed how that line speed had clearly taken something out of the English forwards’ legs in the last 10 minutes of the first half. There are points to be had if the Wallabies get it right.
3. The big danger man the Wallabies must be wary of
It’s hard not to like Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, the electric England wing with the low centre of gravity and speed to burn. He has taken to Test rugby with ease and is deceptively powerful for his size. There is a lot of huff and puff in this English team, but Feyi-Waboso is the one player who can offer some genuine moments of inspiration with his attacking intent.
England’s Immanuel Feyi-Waboso celebrates after scoring against the All Blacks.Credit: AP
The absence of the livewire Alex Mitchell, England’s injured halfback, clearly hurt them in an attacking sense against the All Blacks, but the Wallabies will need to shut down Feyi-Waboso at every opportunity.
4. Fans flocking to Scotland the brave
Before the November Tests even started the Scots had already sold out the 67,000-capacity Murrayfield for three of their fixtures, and they had also shifted more than 50,000 for the Test against Portugal.
They have certainly captured the imagination of supporters and some of their razzle-dazzle play against an understrength Fiji showed why. Five-eighth Adam Hastings created a brilliant late try for winger Duhan van der Merwe with an outrageous behind-the-back pass in the 57-17 win, and Scotland just looked far more enjoyable to watch than England.
Fiji were understrength due to the Test being played outside the international release window, but there is a spring in the step of Scottish rugby because of their ability to use the ball. The Wallabies play Scotland in the third Test of their grand slam tour, and Scotland are on track to supply a far higher number of British and Irish Lions than recent tours.
5. The value of the second-string tours
If the Australia XV team gets the workout out of Bristol that Munster gave the All Blacks XV in Limerick, Joe Schmidt will be delighted. It’s always a bit hard to truly gauge the merit of these second-string games, but despite losing 38-24 Munster delivered a brand of rugby that would have been a real education for the young New Zealanders.
There was a lot of mauling and “around the corner” forward carries in front of a passionate home crowd, exactly the sort of stuff players from Australia and New Zealand aren’t typically exposed to. The intensity gave the All Blacks XV players a genuine chance to impress, and Rod Seib’s side will be hoping for the same opportunity.
