Following a gripping weekend of Autumn Nations Series action, Wallabies great David Campese selects his Team of the Week.
David Campese’s Team of the Week
15 Blair Kinghorn (Scotland): His time at Toulouse has sharpened him up no end. Absolutely outstanding in every aspect, although once again Aphelele Fassi shone for the Springboks and Leo Barre looked abrasive for France. Finally, a word to Mr Consistent, Will Jordan – he was justifiably rewarded with a place in World Rugby’s Team of the Year.
14 Mack Hansen (Ireland): A brace for Mack sees him take the shirt. My runner-up is the amazing Cheslin Kolbe – the little man is an all-time great and I love his invention and appetite for work. Darcy Graham was another Scot who impressed me, whilst Gabin Villiere defined work-rate for France in an outstanding showing.
13 Jesse Kriel (South Africa): Another incredibly consistent performer who adds a layer of depth to the Springboks since he took over from Lukhanyo Am. Huw Jones is almost certain to be the Lions number 13 in my opinion and was superb once more against the Wallabies, whilst Nacho Brex drained the tank in defence for Italy.
12 Sione Tuipulotu (Scotland): The heartbeat of the Scottish side and fast becoming the nailed-on Lions 12. Damian de Allende was also superb for South Africa, whilst Tommaso Menoncello was outstanding in defeat for Italy.
11 Louis Bielle-Biarrey (France): For the third week in a row I have to pick this youngster. His gas was clearly evident on Friday night in a stellar display. For the Boks, Kurt-Lee Arendse plays in Kolbe’s shadow but there’s little to choose between the two flyers in Rassie’s side. Ollie Sleightholme was one of England’s plusses from a dismal campaign.
10 Finn Russell (Scotland): He’s bolted on so much pragmatism to his natural s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁set and he controlled the game from the off. Thomas Ramos was exceptional for France moving between 10 and 15, whilst Handre Pollard delivered a little cameo off the bench for South Africa. A word for Tomás Al𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧oz who didn’t disappoint in defeat for Los Pumas.
9 Cam Roigard (New Zealand): He is starting to make the nine shirt his own post-Aaron Smith and TJ Perenara. Antoine Dupont was his superb self for the French as we’ve come to expect, whilst Naoto Saito shone despite Japan’s heavy defeat.
Back-five fowards
8 Charles Ollivon (France): There’s few more talented players in the game than the French giant and he reacted well to his coaches’ challenge regarding work-rate, topping virtually every stat for Les Bleus. Jasper Wiese was a rock for the Boks, whilst Caelan Doris showed his class once again for Ireland. Ben Earl is the least of England’s issues and delivered well once again.
7 Josh van der Flier (Ireland): He is a Rolls-Royce openside and showed his brilliance on both sides of the ball once again. Kitione Salawa was one of Fiji’s better performers, whilst another man who lost but shone was Welsh seven Jac Morgan, tireless in his defence. Lastly, a shout-out to Rory Darge, another Scot who I expect to see on the Lions tour.
6 Francois Cros (France): When Cros plays, France get quick ball, and when he doesn’t they stutter. He popped up to seal the game off with a crucial turnover and just nicks the shirt off the outstanding Jamie Ritchie, brilliant for the Scots, and Rob Valetini, one of the better performers for the Aussies.
5 Franco Mostert (South Africa): Immense. He’s the unsung hero of Bok rugby but puts in performance after performance. Outstanding. Joe McCarthy and Scott Cummings went well for Ireland and Scotland, whilst Emmanuel Meafou was a rock for Les Bleus.
4 Grant Gilchrist (Scotland): A man that goes under the radar but is as abrasive as you like. Maro Itoje was one of England’s more convincing players against Japan, whilst Thibaud Flament scored yet another for France.
Front-row
3 Zander Fagerson (Scotland): Crushed a very good Test loosehead in Angus Bell and gave his all once more for Scotland. England’s Will Stuart made the best pass of the year in the English midfield to set up a try for Sleightolme.
2 Codie Taylor (New Zealand): Mr Consistent made some crucial interventions and gets a reward for a great personal tour. New Zealand missed him when he wasn’t fit. England’s two hookers, Jamie George and Luke Cowan-Dickie grabbed a brace apiece at Twickenham, whilst Scotland’s Ewan Ashman also impressed me greatly.
1 Thomas du Toit (South Africa): Is he the best all-round prop in the world? I think there’s an argument to say so. Brilliant once again. Ethan de Groot proved a point for New Zealand after his issues, and Thomas Gallo showed us once again his nose for the try line for Los Pumas.
