MY VERDICT ON THE BIG MATCHES
FINISHING OF THE HIGHEST ORDER
THERE were some classic tries at the weekend. Italy delivered a long-range masterpiece against Samoa as Stephen Varney released Pierre Bruno to round off a counter-attack from their own 22. Australia went ‘coast to coast’ with Tom Wright’s break setting up a stunning strike by Lalakai Foketi, only for Damien Penaud’s finishing brilliance to win a thriller for France.
HITS AND MISSES IN EDINBURGH
AMAZON PRIME launched a marketing campaign to advertise their coverage of the Autumn Nations series, but billboards in Edinburgh failed to mention Scotland v Fiji. In that match, Fiji debutant Ratu Leone Rotuisolia delivered the hit of the weekend, forcing Adam Hastings off after reading the Scotland fly-half’s dummy and flattening him.
IRISH KEEP FANS IN ORDER
RUGBY does not help itself when it comes to kit choices and clashes. Let’s hope Ireland’s awful blue striped change strip, worn against South Africa, will never be seen again. But at least the IRFU urged fans to stay in their seats during the game, to avoid disturbing others. The same message is needed in Cardiff.
GATLAND GETS GLAMMED UP FOR AMAZON
IT MUST have been a jarring sight for Wales fans to see Warren Gatland, Sam Warburton and Jamie Roberts on duty for Amazon in Cardiff. All three are sorely missed. Hilariously, former Wales coach Gatland leaned away — grinning — while Gabby Logan had her hair sprayed before half-time filming, only to have make-up applied to his face seconds later.
O’BRIEN HIDES HIS ANXIETY
JIMMY O’BRIEN appeared at ease on debut for Ireland against South Africa in Dublin on Saturday after being thrust on as an early replacement — out of position in midfield. But home captain Johnny Sexton revealed that his Leinster team-mate had been anxious when he came on against the Springboks, joking: ‘We thought he wasn’t fazed, but he told us he was s***ting it.’
THE ‘BEAST’ TARGETS ALUN WYN ON TWITTER
EVEN icons reach a point when their presence is called into question. After Wales were thrashed by New Zealand on Saturday, South Africa prop Tendai ‘Beast’ Mtawarira tweeted: ‘Alun Wyn Jones, about time to retire. A good dancer knows when to leave the dance floor... I am sure there is a young Welsh lock waiting for his turn in that jersey.’