‘Unmatched’- Ten unmissable player matchups in the Autumn Nations Series this weekend

This weekend of the Autumn Nations Series almost entirely consists of fixtures that are expected to be decided by extremely fine margins, leading to scope for some great games for the neutral, as well as for fans of whoever comes out on top.

A lot of these fixtures will have at least two key matchups that are likely to be crucial, and here are the top ten player matchups you need to look out for this weekend. 

Joseph Sua’ali’i v Ollie Lawrence (England v Australia) 

Joseph Sua’ali’i will make his rugby union debut for Australia when they face England in the Autumn Nations Series.

Those who are familiar with the NRL will know all about the talent and athleticism that he has, although starting at centre is a bit of a surprise for many, with him naturally appearing to be more suited as a full-back or even a winger.  

Facing up against Ollie Lawrence, who comes off the back of a meek offensive but solid defensive display against the All Blacks, will be a real test for Joseph as to whether Rugby Australia has made the right decision in bringing him over.

Lawrence himself will be looking to play well enough to keep him in contention for the Springboks clash next week, with his recent average performances potentially playing him out of a start. 

Chandler Cunningham-South v Rob Valetini (England v Australia)

Chandler Cunningham-South comes off a monstrous defensive performance against the country he grew up in, New Zealand.

It is these ties to New Zealand that will mean that he will be highly motivated to put in another strong performance against their Bledisloe Cup foes. 

He will come up against a stern test, in the form of Brumbies star Rob Valetini, who has recently become only the third player ever to win the John Eales medal back-to-back times. 

Originally named as number eight, but moved to flanker following injury, it will be a bit of a defence vs attack situation against Cunningham-South and will be interesting to see which comes out on top. 

Bundee Aki v Jordie Barrett (Ireland v New Zealand)  

Two of the best centres in world rugby will come up against each other under the Friday night lights in Dublin, and it is guaranteed that the game will largely be decided on who comes out on top in this battle. 

Jordie Barrett’s kicking will be crucial and he will have to make sure to not miss any tackles, as due to the close nature of the game, any Bundee Aki line breaks will be crucial in this game.

Aki will be the man that Ireland will look to for motivation, so Barrett being on his A game is crucial for stopping the team as a whole. 

Caelan Doris v Ardie Savea (Ireland v New Zealand) 

Ireland’s new captain Caelan Doris has a stern test at eight, with Ardie Savea being his opposite number for the All Blacks.

Savea comes off a very strong performance against England, and Savea’s athleticism is a tough task for anyone to defend against.  

As a natural leader and a quality player himself, Caelan knows that his battle is one of the main ones in the match and will do everything in his power to snuff out any danger and will have to match Savea’s trademark tempo to stand a chance of doing so. 

The physicality and talent on show in this battle will be unmatched over the weekend. 

Max Llewellyn v Waisea Nayacalevu (Wales v Fiji) 

Max Llewellyn is at the start of his international career, with the 25-year-old having only made one senior test appearance for Wales but following a scintillating start to the season for free-scoring Gloucester, Gatland has rolled the dice in starting Max at 13.

He will come up against Sale Sharks’ Waisea Nayacalevu, with the much more experienced Fijian having a slow start to the season, struggling to get into the Sharks’ lineup due to injury.

This matchup will be a case of experience v inexperience, and Waisea will be hoping that the phrase ‘form is temporary, class is permanent’ will be applicable at the Principality. 

Tomos Williams v Frank Lomani (Wales v Fiji) 

Another Gloucester player who has shone this season has been Tomos Williams, with the scrum-half forming a formidable partnership with Gareth Anscombe, who also starts for Wales.

Frank Lomani of Fijian Drua stands in his way, with the 23-year-old needing to dust himself down and get back up after a poor game against Scotland last time out.

If Williams is on form, then it could be a long day for Lomani and Fiji. 

Finn Russell v Handre Pollard (Scotland v South Africa) 

Finn Russell returning to international duty after being unavailable for the Fiji game will provide a huge boost for Scotland, but coming up against Handre Pollard is never an easy task for even the best of players. 

Russell’s Bath side have already got the better of Pollard’s Leicester Tigers this season, however the South African was unavailable due to injury, which has been the story of his season so far.

Two world-class players who many believe are the best in their position will aim to prove why they are superior to the other. 

Huw Jones v Andre Esterhuizen (Scotland v South Africa) 

Andre Esterhuizen has been banging the drum ahead of the Scotland game, ridiculing the South African players who play for Scotland. 

Maybe this dig was not entirely aimed at Huw Jones, who was born in Edinburgh, but with Jones having spent his early adult years playing rugby in South Africa, before moving back to the UK, these comments may have slightly irked him.

Either way, a player coming up against a country in which he has a huge affiliation towards, and directly against a man who has insulted a lot of his teammates, there are bound to be fireworks. 

Louis Lynagh v Rodrigo Isgro (Italy v Argentina) 

A battle of past v present Harlequins awaits in Italy against Argentina, with Louis Lynagh facing his replacement on the wing in Rodrigo Isgro. 

Many Quins fans were left heartbroken after Lynagh left them to join Benetton, but this heartbreak would soon be forgotten through Isgro’s stellar performances to start the season.

Former 7s World Player of the Year Isgro has taken to Premiership rugby like a duck to water, and coming up head-to-head with his predecessor will give a good indication as to just how good he is, and whether Quins have upgraded. 

Juan Cruz Mallia v Ange Capuozzo (Italy v Argentina) 

Toulouse teammates Juan Cruz Mallia and Ange Capuozzo come up against each other for their respective countries. 

Top 14 table toppers Toulouse have had a very strong start to the season, with both playing outside of full-back for most of the season, with Mallia at fly-half and Capuozzo on the wing. 

With both being played outside of their usual positions, it will be more of a battle of adaptation, and it could be an awkward return to club rugby should sparks fly on Saturday. 

Ange has been the better based on club form, having scored five tries in nine matches.

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