Coaches are taking a closer look at existing talent and noting the progress of emerging talent, while a successful Autumn program can gain a team vital ranking points before the draw for the World Cup is made.
England, for example, climbed into 4th place in the world rankings with a convincing 25-7 win over Australia in London last Saturday (Nov 1).
Steve Borthwick, the most pragmatic England coach, has surprised pundits by playing players out of position and talking of a more expansive performance, but still selects the kicking machine George Ford at fly-half.
Meanwhile, Marcus Smith, once the doyen of English fly halves, hasn’t even made the match-day squad!
A significant question surrounds England’s Henry Pollock following an outstanding performance against the Wallabies. Is he England’s answer to New Zealand’s Ardie Savea? If so, back England to win the World Cup for me.
The Wallabies looked sadly off the pace. Usually, you could rely on some creative attack from an Australian backline, but maybe knowing the coach will leave at the end of this series has dulled their cutting edge.
In the other high-profile encounter, the All Blacks beat Ireland 26-13 in Chicago, raising doubts about the latter’s durability. Are they over the hill?
Scotland beat the USA 85-0 in a pointless fixture, with critics stating the game was purely to help the Scots raise much-needed revenue, while South Africa smashed Japan 67- 7.
In the next round of fixtures the Springboks face France Saturday (Nov 8), England hosts Fiji, Italy plays Australia, Wales face Argentina, Scotland plays New Zealand, and Ireland welcome Japan.
My tips: England, Australia, Argentina, New Zealand, Ireland, South Africa to all win.
The Global Rugby Coach, Mike Penistone, is a globally renowned professional rugby coach based in Phuket who is also an ambassador for the Asia Center Foundation, a charity for disadvantaged children. For more information visit: www.rugbycoachingconsultancy.com.