Autumn Nations Series Weekend Review

Shaun and Thala are joined by rugby journalist and broadcaster (and hot take artist) Caleb Mutombwa to review the weekend’s Autumn Nations Series. We start with the Springboks victory over England by debating who won the kicking game, the Boks taking turns to step Freddie Steward and which Boks players stocks rose and fell after this game. Caleb reports from the Steven Borthwick press conference and discusses whether the pressure on Borthwick is increasing, his selection failures and whether England are on the right track. We then look at many of the other Autumn Nations Series games over the weekend. We are in awe of the cinematic production of the haka at the Stade France in France’s victory over the All Blacks, the Wallabies extending Wales’ losing streak to 11, Italy overcoming a difficult Georgia opponent, what Ireland’s narrow victory over Argentina tells us about both teams and what Scotland can learn from playing sides like Portugal. Finally we react to the World Rugby Awards nominations which include nominations for three Springboks for men’s 15s Player of the Year, Antoine Dupont starring in the Men’s Sevens Player of the Year, a debate about the Men’s Breakthrough Player of the Year and why the Women’s 15s Player of the Year is Ellie Kildunne’s to lose. We also ask what will happen in Bok Twitter if Caelan Doris wins Player of the Year!

We are joined by Charlie Morgan as we preview the big England v South Africa test.  We look into the coaching merry-go-round with Steve Borthwick’s assistants, the defensive set up, what Freddie Steward is picked for and a lot more. Kooks, Thala and Shaun then go through the Springbok squad and pick their pressure points ahead of the big clash

Thala, Shaun and Kooks have a look at magnificent Mark and how the All Blacks beat England.  We start off with our first phase of which Scotland player you would start for the Springboks and we pay tribute to Joe Marler who retired from test rugby but not before helping give the fans what they really want when watching the Haka. With the Autumn Nations Series well underway we look at England and how they got undone by New Zealand, we unpack the bizarre running meters by the Scotland backs and Thala issues a Q&A ahead of Round 2.

Kooks and Thala come again for Part 2 of their Autumn Nations Series preview and they focus more on the players in this round. Kooks and Thala discuss whether Pieter-Steph du Toit has the World Rugby Player of the Year award in the bag, which Springboks and Ireland players could contest and what the size of meltdown would be if Antoine Dupont wins it without playing a test this year. We then discuss which best players in a position in a world title fights are happening in November - we look forward to Sione Tuipulotu measuring himself up against Damian de Allende and the triple threat match between Ardie Savea, Caelan Doris and Gregory Alldritt. We finally look at some of the news from the rugby world, including Munster firing Graham Rowntree, Joe Marler sparking yet another Haka debate and the additions to the Springboks squad.

Kooks and Thala have a two-part preview for the Autumn Nations Series and ask the burning questions for the upcoming games. We first share memories and discuss why the Autumn Nations Series is the most special part of the international rugby calendar and if rugby played in the southern hemisphere is given that yellow filter like they do for movies set in Mexico. We first discuss which team has the most to gain this series and why the All Blacks, England and Italy could make big statements with a strong November and what the potential pitfalls are. We then discuss what would be success for the two top nations, the Springboks and Ireland - do they have to be unbeaten for a successful November? Which newer players might appear for both sides? We then finish off with the coaches on the chopping block. We look at whether Wales can have their first win of the year and if Gregor Townsend has taken Scotland as far as he can before technical difficulties cut us off for Part 1