No surprises in week one. Maybe the biggest surprise was the big win by the Springboks over Japan, and maybe the ease of the win of England over Australia.
All Blacks XV 33-19 Barbarians
The All Blacks XV rallied from 19-0 behind to outpace a South African-stacked Barbarians 33-19 at the Gtech Community Stadium in Brentford, West London.
The British-based invitation-only club, known for its free-spirited style, contained no fewer than 11 South Africans in their starting XV, including an imposing front row headlined by two-time Springboks Rugby World Cup winner Bongi Mbonambi.
Hooker Mbonambi was joined by hefty props Oli Kebble (12 Tests for Scotland) and Asenathi Ntlabakanye (2 Tests for South Africa), and together they proved the antithesis of the typically expansive Barbarians aesthetic, bullying their way to a sizeable lead with imperious scrums, rumbling mauls and robust power.
Ntlabakanye and Mbonambi each smashed over for tries in between a lineout surge finished by No.8 Evan Ross, and it was 19-0 after 26 minutes.
Thereafter, the All Blacks took control of the match, and following a try by Caleb Tangitua as time ran out in the first half, to go into the second half trailing 07-19.
In the second half, Caleb Tangitau, Xavier Roe, Kyle Preston, and David Havili scored unanswered tries to secure the 33-19 win.
England 25-07 Australia
Tries Ben Earl and Henry Pollock helped England see off Australia as their bench ultimately swung an untidy opening autumn Test.
Australia trailed by only three points (10-07) at the break after wing Australia’s Harry Potter's breakaway try had given them a lifeline back into the contest.
England replacement Pollock scampered in just before the hour to restore England's cushion, before a snipe from Alex Mitchell and a rolling maul steered over the line by Luke Cowan-Dickie ensured they could see out the final stages in comfort.
Australia, who were missing Exeter pair Len Ikitau and Tom Hooper and giant La Rochelle lock Will Skelton for a Test taking place outside the Test window, suffered for their lack of depth.
England, who moved up to fourth in the world rankings on the back of their victory, will continue their campaign against Fiji, New Zealand and Argentina over the next three weekends.
Springboks 61-07 Japan
The Springboks outclassed Japan 61-7 (halftime 26-0) to start their tour with a commanding combination of power and precision in slippery conditions at Wembley Stadium in London on Saturday, scoring eight well-taken tries along with a penalty try, highlighting their ascendancy over the Brave Blossoms.
There was only one team that really warmed the hearts of the London crowd on a rainy night as the Springboks totally outplayed their Japanese counterparts, highlighting the difference between the top-ranked and the 13th-ranked teams in the world.
South Africa also sent a friendly reminder to France, Italy, Ireland and Wales, their opponents on the next four Saturdays, that the Boks, fresh off the successful defence of their Castle Lager Rugby Championship title, will demand the very best of their opponents.
Scotland 85-00 USA
A ruthless Scotland ran in 13 unanswered tries against the USA Eagles for an 85-0 record-breaking win for the national side.
Scotland produced a blistering opening 40 minutes at Murrayfield, running in seven tries to leave the USA shell-shocked and effectively end the contest before the break.
The tone was set early when Scotland’s pack demolished the American scrum, earning a penalty and opting to go again. From the restart, Dylan Richardson powered over from close range to open the scoring, with Adam Hastings adding the conversion. Moments later, Liam McConnell sparked a sweeping counterattack down the left, offloading brilliantly to Duhan van der Merwe, who marked his 50th cap with a trademark finish.
Darcy Graham soon joined the party, capitalising on a turnover deep in USA territory to glide over in the corner. Hastings’ boot kept ticking the scoreboard, and Scotland’s ambition was clear as they struck again through Jamie Dobie. The scrum-half chipped ahead from the base of a ruck, Graham gathered at pace, and Dobie finished under the posts for Scotland’s fourth.
Van der Merwe wasn’t done, bulldozing through a defender for his second try, before Dobie doubled up following a slick break from Stafford McDowall. The half ended with Graham claiming his second after a stolen line-out and rapid hands across the backline, sealing a record-breaking first-half tally of 45 unanswered points.
If the first half was dominant, the second was historic. Scotland continued their relentless assault at Murrayfield, adding six more tries to seal an emphatic 85-00 win, their third-biggest win of all time.
All Blacks 26-13 Ireland
Two final-quarter tries within five minutes saw the All Blacks finally subdue Ireland to claim their Chicago rematch 26-13.
Until replacement players, prop Tamaiti Williams (61 minutes) and flanker Wallace Sititi (66 minutes) scored, it had been an indifferent display from an All Blacks team who struggled through the first three quarters to find their rhythm and continuity.
And then, four minutes from the end, halfback Cam Roigard, who had been well contained until that point, used a five-metre scrum to advantage to sidestep his way over the line to score.
Patience, backed by sound defence, brought its reward for the All Blacks.