High hopes for the high ball

The rules surrounding how the high ball should be enforced remain an enigma despite controversy during the June Tests.

Frenchman Benjamin Fall’s red card for toppling Beauden Barrett in a mid-air collision was quickly rescinded, but the yellow card for Australia’s Israel Folau after a similar incident against Ireland remained.

Expect all four teams to use aerial bombardment early to get a read on how the referees react to any clash of bodies.