10 Storylines to Watch in Autumn Internationals
The impending autumn internationals offer us a glimpse into the current state of rugby's best and brightest, and while no grand prize rests on the line, teams are nevertheless eager to impress.
This year's onslaught of international fixtures holds a particular significance in the run-up to next year's Rugby World Cup, with teams from both sides of the equator hoping to build momentum as we enter 2015.
And once again, we have a slate of storylines worthy of one's attention, focusing on matters involving players, coaches and entire teams.
1. Springboks Travel with Rugby Championship Momentum
1 of 10
There's no rest for the wicked at the top of rugby's hierarchy, and fresh after handing New Zealand a 27-25 defeat at Ellis Park, no line-up in the land is currently badder than South Africa.
"Badder" in this context putting Heyneke Meyer's side above all others, as their accomplishment in ending the All Blacks' 22-game unbeaten streak will not go unnoticed coming into these autumn internationals.
The Springboks have already accomplished the seemingly impossible in overcoming the world's finest, but the schedule doesn't get any easier with trips to face Ireland, England, Italy and Wales lined up for the weeks to come.
These next four outings will help in discerning whether or not that memorable victory over Steve Hansen's men was a one-off, or if Meyer's titans can truly be considered as unearthing a new era of success.
2. What's in Store for Michael Cheika's Wallabies?
2 of 10
Ewen McKenzie's departure from the Wallabies' hot seat was the crowning moment of another topsy-turvy year for Australian rugby, but Michael Cheika will be hoping to uncover hidden potential as their new chief.
The one consistent success for Australia in 2014 was the Waratahs' Super Rugby triumph, a maiden championship for the New South Wales giants achieved largely through Cheika's fine tuning.
The former Leinster and Stade Francais helmsman will hope to bring a wealth of knowledge to the role, and yet another fresh pair of eyes may be the best thing moving into next year's big tournament.
Looking to test Cheika's mettle right off the bat comes the challenge of the Barbarians this Saturday, followed by clashes against Wales, France, Ireland and England.
Should the head coach come out firing after that lot, he'll have done well to adapt so swiftly.
3. Philippe Saint-Andre Under the Microscope Once More
3 of 10
France have endured difficult times under the guidance of Philippe Saint-Andre, whose stint at the team's helm isn't likely to be ended before the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
That gives the coach little comfort in the coming 12 months, however, with a boost in results nevertheless needed for Les Bleus to have any chance of impressing in England.
That all starts anew in these autumn internationals, where Saint-Andre will hope to show that three successive finishes among the bottom three of the Six Nations doesn't mean France aren't bound for better times.
It's a drop in success France aren't accustomed to, and with the coach's record in the role being far from stellar, the tests of Fiji, Australia and Argentina will be expected to turn up something more encouraging.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
4. Joe Schmidt's New-Look Ireland Set for Trial by Fire
4 of 10
Winning the Six Nations upon his first time of asking was an extraordinary achievement for Joe Schmidt, thriving in the Ireland coaching role barely a year after assuming control.
But now there are new barriers ahead. After the summer success in Argentina, things take on a more serious tone for the autumn international series, though maintaining an air of experimentation as Ireland look to uncover their next generation of stars.
Of the 37 selected for Schmidt's squad, only 18 have 10 caps or more to their name, with five poised to make their international debuts.
Among that number sits the newly qualified Jared Payne, whose journey to fulfilling the void left by Brian O'Driscoll could start with the daunting task of surmounting South Africa in Dublin.
5. Pumas in the Hunt to Build on Maiden Rugby Championship Win
5 of 10
A 21-17 victory over Australia in Week 6 of this year's Rugby Championship gave Argentina their first-ever win in the tournament, providing a much-needed sign that the South Americans are making progress.
Certainly one can argue the Wallabies were susceptible at the time, but it by no means lessens the Pumas' achievement in making rugby history, a precedent they'll hope signals the beginning of something new.
Daniel Hourcade has his team functioning in as fluid a manner as ever, and like South Africa, they'll look to carry on the momentum of their Rugby Championship in the northern hemisphere.
6. Stuart Lancaster's No. 10 Dilemma
6 of 10
England's fly-half position has been a source of rabid discussion over the past nine months, with Saracens playmaker Owen Farrell and Bath's prodigious George Ford at its core.
Stuart Lancaster has relied largely on Farrell to hold down his No. 10 jersey in recent years, but the emergence of Ford as The Rec's primary puppeteer has called for more fervent debate.
The competition is so strong in fact that Henry Slade and Stephen Myler beat Danny Cipriani and Freddie Burns out of the England race altogether for this year's autumn internationals.
Ex-England star Toby Flood believes Ford deserves his time in the sun, having previously gone head-to-head with the youngster while both were among Leicester Tigers' ranks, per The Independent's Hugh Godwin:
"I’m quite pleased I’ve left the battle for the England 10 jersey because there’s talent everywhere. To not have Freddie Burns and Danny Cipriani in the England squad shows the quality and ability they have. For Stuart [Lancaster] it’s a head-scratcher. But what’s the worst that could happen [with Ford]?
If he comes on, turns the ball over a couple of times, and England lose a game in the autumn or we don’t win a Grand Slam in the Six Nations, is his or a young No 10’s learning curve more important than England’s learning curve? If you’re saying George is going to be an England fly-half for the next seven years, do you say it’s worth him learning the hard way, and take the gamble? For me it’s not really a gamble.
Sometimes as a fly-half when you don’t have control, you don’t have go-forward, it is a difficult day at the office. George has shown he can control that. He’s really grown out of the stage when he was 19 years old at Leicester, putting so much pressure on himself to be perfect all the time. He’s governed his own head and feels as if he can make a couple of mistakes, shrug his shoulders and get on with it.
"
On current form and in terms of England credentials thus far, Farrell swings the battle, but there's an untapped resource in Ford which, when put among a more talented array of players, could be waiting to be unleashed.
Both are young figures with plenty to give in their futures, but in terms of deciding his bastion for next year's Rugby World Cup, Lancaster has a difficult period of decision-making ahead.
7. New Zealand Bouncing Back from Unfamiliar Territory
7 of 10
While South Africa are riding high on their recent victory over the All Blacks, Hansen will be soured by the result in Johannesburg, his side's first defeat since losing 38-21 to England in 2012.
Twickenham was the last stop on that tour, but will be the first European settlement to welcome New Zealand this year, where the All Blacks will be hoping for a repeat of their 2013 win.
Again, New Zealand's character will be tested above all else as they look to re-establish their winning presence ahead of a critical 2015, and despite their deep wealth of playing talent, it's in that mental sector they often prove their elite attributes.
8. Sam Warburton's Wales Captaincy Under New Pressure for Improvement
8 of 10
This year has been a more difficult one for Sam Warburton than most, having to contend serious injury and the uncertainty of where his club career was heading after a central contract controversy which was only resolved on season's beginning.
One might argue the Cardiff Blues and Wales captain's status remains unresolved in the big picture, but Warburton at least for now has some security in where his loyalties lie.
Warren Gatland may well be pleased with his side's result in recent years, but the Welsh boss is eager to ask more of his leading figure, quoted by Andy Howell of Wales Online in saying this week:
"For Sam, the challenge is to take the next step. He’s had that experience of leadership since 2011, he’s had the Lions, and he’s established himself in that role.
He’s done it in his own quiet way. You probably go through stages and we are maybe looking for him to be a bit more vocal within the squad – a wee bit more demanding.
It’s probably been a criticism in the past that we have been a little bit quiet. Not enough of those senior players have voiced up.
We need to show them the videos, and say: ‘Look, this is what happened. What would we do again?’
It’s about making sure we are not making poor decisions when we are under pressure. When you look back, we have made poor decisions in the last few minutes that have cost us a handful of internationals—games we should have won.
"
Gatland is right to seek more of his players, too. In the likes of Warburton, George North, Dan Lydiate, Leigh Halfpenny, Jonathan Davies and others, he has a pool of talents who can genuinely count themselves among the world's finest in their positions.
However, mental fortitude and a sense of entitlement, that right to win, has been lacking. He's now looking toward his captain to add that motivation moving forward.
9. Keeping Tabs on Rugby World Cup Minnows
9 of 10
Ahead of a Rugby World Cup year, one might be tempted to put more effort into researching those lesser powers ready to play their part in the sport's biggest competition.
The pools of next year's tournament have now been decided, and the likes of Uruguay, Georgia, Romania, Namibia and Canada will each be in action in some capacity during the autumn period.
Of course, none of those mentioned will be expected to have any great bearing on the silverware debate, but that won't derail their hopes of upsetting the applecart along the way, and theirs will be a progress worth keeping an eye on over the weeks to come.
10. All Eyes on Sonny Bill Williams
10 of 10
He's back, and the anticipation for Sonny Bill Williams to dazzle the union masses is as high as ever.
While injury will prevent fellow league code convert Sam Burgess from having any impact on England's internationals as of yet, Williams has been thrust straight back into All Blacks matters by Hansen.
Clearly keen to make use of one of the most gifted athletes the southern hemisphere has ever produced, the Chiefs star begins his journey anew to make the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
All logic would dictate that Williams will indeed make the trip to British shores next year, but this will be our first look at what he's bringing to the union audience.
After his time away with the Sydney Roosters, can we expect a more devastating version of the centre than ever before, or is now the time that his decline begins to take its toll? In all probability, it's the former, but who knows what lies ahead?
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
