Perhaps we should have learnt by now. Fool me once and all that. As the 2024 Autumn Nations Series begins to wrap up, the southern hemisphere have once again shown their dominance over the north.
Despite talk heading into the autumn that an Australia team in transition were there for the taking and that Scott Robertson hadn’t yet properly made his mark on a beatable New Zealand side, those two nations and reigning double-world champions South Africa have racked up an imperious 8-2 combined record over Six Nations foes with just the Wallabies’ clash with Ireland in Dublin on Saturday to come.
Including Argentina in the equation would narrow the record slightly to 9-4, although the Pumas pushed Ireland unexpectedly close at the Aviva Stadium – and that still doesn’t factor in Fiji’s historic first-ever Cardiff victory over Wales. Whatever way you slice it, the south has ruled, although France can largely avoid blame after being the only northerners to consistently punch their weight in an autumn that has included the narrowest of 3029 wins over the All Blacks and a more comfortable victory against Argentina.
It’s become the theme of recent cross-hemisphere international windows – northern hemisphere optimism being promptly punctured. Hopes were high in the summer on southern soil, only for the All Blacks to sweep England, the Wallabies to do likewise to hapless Wales and Ireland needing an improbable, last-gasp Ciaran Frawley drop goal from downtown Durban to snatch a series draw against the Springboks.
Denne historien er fra November 28, 2024-utgaven av The Independent.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra November 28, 2024-utgaven av The Independent.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Why home advantage has lost its sting in Test series.
“The tour is only a matter of hours old, but the wry thought occurs to me that reputations will almost certainly be destroyed in the next few months.”
North can't compete with south's individual X factor
Ex-Lions captain Sam Warburton has a theory why southern hemisphere teams have dominated the autumn internationals
Aimless Villa stagger to bore draw against Juventus
Aston Villa and Unai Emery have run out of ideas, far too early in the Spaniard’s previously exhilarating revolution.
Reds humble Real and Slot does what Klopp could not
A few weeks ago, it was possible to look at Arne Slot’s seemingly impressive start at Liverpool, adopt a sceptical tone and ask who they had really beaten.
Vauxhall's closure shows No 10 must recharge EV rules
Electric vehicles aren't selling in the volume anticipated and James Moore says government is right to order a swift review
Nationwide banks £2bn in takeover of Virgin Money
Nationwide has gained £2.3bn following its acquisition of Virgin Money, according to the firm’s half-year results.
Red Sea boat survivors were trapped in cabins, says diver
Two Britons who were on the yacht remain unaccounted for
Record snowfall leaves Seoul scrambling to cope
Transport chaos and power cuts hit city as two die on roads
Myanmar junta chief faces crimes against humanity charge for Rohingya deaths
Arrest warrant requested by International Criminal Court
Lebanon ceasefire is part of plan to keep Trump on side
Benjamin Netanyahu knows the incoming president won't be happy if the Gaza war drags on, writes Chris Stevenson, so he is turning his attention to Iran to buy himself some time
