2/10 - Five players who flopped during the Autumn Nations Series this weekend
Rugby NewsMonday, 14 November 2022 at 14:02
We take a look at five players who flopped during the second round of the 2022 Autumn Nations Series, which includes one underperforming England star.
#1. Pieter-Steph du Toit (South Africa)
Wayne Barnes was left with no choice but to send off Pieter-Steph du Toit just 11 minutes in the Springboks clash with France last night.
Commentator Jamie Lyall said .”Ooh. That is not good at all.” as the replay was displayed on the screens around the ground.
Barnes said: “So we’ve got head on head. Okay so let’s talk about that one – we’ve got direct head contact to a player who’s vulnerable on the floor, he’s not looking to move that player, he is leading with the head straight into the head of the player on the floor.
“Do we agree with those facts? There is no mitigation.”
Rugby Pass 2/10: "A post-match review will determine whether or not he had enough time to stop himself before flying into Jonathan Danty’s head with his own. The replays in the immediate aftermath suggested that he could have avoided contact, though he did have the full force of Damian de Allende driving him forward after a nudge from Kwagga Smith."
Planet Rugby 4/10: "Made little impact during a 12 minute stint on the field before being red carded for a head clash with Jonathan Danty."
IOL 3/10: "Only lasted for 12 minutes until he got a red card for a dangerous clean-out on Danty, although he was a bit unlucky as he was shoved in the back by Kwagga Smith, which propelled him forward into the French No 12."
#2. Jonny May (England)
Telegraph 6/10: "Yellow carded for killing the ball scrambling back to stop Riley. Little threat in attack and looked rusty."
The I 6/10: "Flew up and down the field in true Jonny May fashion. His kick chase was fast as per and helped force a knock on and pressure Japan catchers. His cover tackle on Dylan Riley, whilst impressive, resulted in a yellow card, however. But whether it’s rust or age, he’s starting to slow down it seems."
Jonny May of England during the Autumn Nations Match between England and Tonga at Twickenham Stoop on 6 November 2021. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
Jonny May facts:
- May married his long-term partner and personal trainer Sophie in 2017
- He was childhood friends with pop star Ed Sheeran
- May has played for three clubs in his professional career: Moseley, Gloucester and Leicester Tigers
- He’s second on England’s all-time top try-scorers list behind Rory Underwood (49)
- May once ran the 100m in 10.71 seconds, just 1.01 seconds slower than Usain Bolt’s world record
#3. Antoine Dupont (France)
The Antoine Dupont red card was absolutely mental.
France extended their impressive winning run to 12 games when they tamed South Africa 30-26 at the Stade Vélodrome in arguably the game of the Autumn Nations Series so far.
The hosts had the scrum-half Antoine Dupont sent off in the second half after the world champions had been reduced to 14 men following Pieter-Steph du Toit’s early headhunt.
The commentator said: “Antoine Dupont. French rugby’s greatest talent, the golden child of Stade Velodrome is ordered from the field and it’s 14-a-piece for the last half hour.
“And France have now been shorn of their skipper. But the most important thing, as Dupont receives a thunderous ovation from the Velodrome crowd, is to make sure that Cheslin Kolbe is okay.”
Planet Rugby 5/10: "Enjoyed a neat and tidy game until the 48th minute when he accidentally took out Cheslin Kolbe and was promptly sent off."
#4. Gareth Anscombe (Wales)
Wales Online 6/10: "Only his second start at fly-half under Wayne Pivac. Kicks tended to find defenders rather than grass early on."
Rugby Pass 5/10: "A mixed bag, particularly off the boot. Miskicked an attempted up-and-under towards the end of the first quarter which ended Wales’ first set of consistent phases on attack."
#5. Beauden Barrett (New Zealand)
Rugby Pass 4/10: "One of his least influential games in the No 10 jersey, with the All Blacks starved of quick, clean ball. A nice grubber through was the initial spark for the All Blacks’ second try but his later attempts at short kicks didn’t reap rewards."
Planet Rugby 5/10: "Some intelligent short kicks in behind the Scotland defence but on the flipside there were sloppy errors as he looked out of sorts in a rare chance in the number 10 jersey."
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