Autumn Nations Series | Best of social: Ireland heroics, scintillating Steward and brilliant Boks

James Lowe celebrates after scoring the opening try with Hugo Keenan and Garry Ringrose

by Oscar Maung-Haley

A host of exciting games took place during week three of the Autumn Nations Series, with Saturday’s action proving to be a fine advert for international Test match rugby.

In one of the early games Argentina ran out 37-16 winners against Italy at the Stadio Comunale di Monigo in Treviso, with Los Pumas scoring five tries on route to an impressive win.

At the same time, South Africa flexed their muscles in the second half of their match against Scotland to blow Gregor Townsend’s men away, eventually prevailing from BT Murrayfield with a 30-15 win.

The result of the day was undoubtedly Ireland’s incredible 29-20 win over New Zealand at the Aviva Stadium, which saw its stands return to full capacity with 51,000 fans on hand to witness one of Irish rugby’s finest hours.

A new-look England side eased their way past a tricky test from Dave Rennie’s Wallabies side, with Jamie Blamire’s late try putting the finishing touches to a 32-15 win at Twickenham for Eddie Jones’ men.

And where better to start with the round-up of the best social media reaction from the weekend than Ireland’s nail-biting win over New Zealand at the Aviva Stadium.

Two late Joey Carbery penalties helped Andy Farrell’s men over the top in a pulsating contest that might go down as the Test match of the year.

And it’s safe to say a host of famous Ireland internationals, both current and retired, enjoyed the result.

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A post shared by Tommy Bowe (@tommybowe)

If we win this game I swear I’m going missing tonight#IREvNZL

— Mike Ross (@MikeRoss03) November 13, 2021

Beautiful beautiful beautiful
Eire Abu ☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️

— Simon Zebo (@SimonZebo) November 13, 2021

No word yet on whether or not Mr Ross has gone missing…

But at the end of the day, it’s rugby is a game that prides itself on its values, and the All Blacks clearly recognised that they had been part of an absolute thriller of a Test match.

Thank you @IrishRugby, what a Test match 🤝#IREvNZL pic.twitter.com/kcT7BFuDcd

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— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) November 13, 2021

Scotland’s Test match against the Springboks at BT Murrayfield saw them push South Africa blow for blow in the first half, even taking a lead into half-time.

But the second half of action was much different to the first, with South Africa showing off their world champion credentials to dispatch Scotland in rather comfortable fashion, a result that clearly left one Springbok fan elated.

This South Africa fan wanted an autograph in the most bizarre of places 😂#SCOvRSA pic.twitter.com/2rKWdiQ74H

— Amazon Prime Video Sport (@primevideosport) November 13, 2021

Find me someone who doesn’t love Siya Kolisi. You can’t!

Let’s also not forget the standing ovation legendary Scotland prop Tom Smith received too following his induction into the Scottish Rugby Hall of Fame before kick-off.

Legendary @Scotlandteam and @lionsofficial prop Tom Smith receives a rousing reception in @BTMurrayfield 👏🏼

The former loosehead is the latest inductee into the Scottish Rugby Hall of Fame 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

— Autumn Nations Series (@autumnnations) November 13, 2021

England and Australia reignited one of Test rugby’s fiercest rivalry’s at Twickenham, in a game that saw the hosts continue to rely upon a talented bunch of youngsters who are emerging within English rugby right now.

Flying Leicester Tigers full-back Freddie Steward continued to take to Test match rugby like a duck to water, gliding through the Australian defence off a weighted pass from Marcus Smith to go over for England’s first try of the evening.

Freddie Steward is your @BollingerUK Player of the Match 👏#ENGvAUS pic.twitter.com/H4TZsRjtEt

— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) November 13, 2021

And lets also give a little love to England hooker Jamie Blamire too, who has now scored SIX tries in FOUR games for England, becoming the first English forward to score in four Tests in a row.

It’s interesting to note that Blamire now has more England tries than Premiership starts for his side Newcastle Falcons. Go figure.

4⃣ in 4⃣ for Jamie Blamire

The replacement hooker continues his international try scoring form to secure victory for England#ENGvAUS pic.twitter.com/MnRgwjTMQj

— Amazon Prime Video Sport (@primevideosport) November 13, 2021

And against Italy, Argentina ended their seven-match losing streak with an impressive five try performance in Treviso.

Los Pumas were purring in Italy, with Marcos Kremer’s score potentially the pick of the bunch.

He has done it again!😲@unionargentina‘s Marcos Kremer gets the first try of the day vs @Federugby 🙌

Watch #ITAvARG in the #AutumnNationsSeries live on @primevideosport📺 pic.twitter.com/QdxnMU86af

— Autumn Nations Series (@autumnnations) November 13, 2021