Why the Autumn Internationals are the Biggest Test for Six Nations Teams

11/20/2024 04:22 PM

It is that most wonderful time of the year. Rugby fans get to watch all the best players in the world going head-to-head in a way that is only ever usually seen during World Cups. The Autumn Internationals – or Spring Internationals for the likes of Australia and New Zealand – pit the best of the northern hemisphere against the best of the southern hemisphere on an annual basis.

The Six Nations might be regarded as the pinnacle of international rugby for European fans but these matches played each October and November are arguably the sternest tests for the players involved. It is a chance for old rivalries to reconvene and for everyone to get a good handle of where the teams can be ranked on a global basis.

Every game is eagerly anticipated, with the stadiums completely sold out, TV rights secured, and rugby sportsbook markets doing a roaring trade. The domestic seasons soon get underway again once these test matches are over but the Autumn Internationals should really be considered as one of rugby union's greatest spectacles.

Higher Level

One of the biggest reasons why Six Nations teams and players look forward to the Autumn Internationals so much is that they know the meetings will put them against players who will often be performing at a higher level when it comes to club rugby. The European-wide cup competitions are played at a particularly high level but southern hemisphere competition is something else.

The battles between the Australian and New Zealand club sides – along with those from the South Pacific – are incredibly fierce. When you add in the style of play of South African teams as well, it provides a different outlook on the game. European players are able to pick up a lot just from coming face-to-face with their southern hemisphere counterparts.

World Cup Winners

The Six Nations is rightly considered one of the biggest and best international rugby competitions in the world. The history, pageantry, and level of play are recognized by every rugby fan, wherever they are from. But a quick glance at the list of Rugby World Cup winners over the years shows that it is not Europe that can be considered the hotbed of talent.

Since the competition began in 1987 there has only ever been one European nation to hold aloft the famous Webb Ellis Cup. England fans will easily remember their team's famous last-gasp triumph in 2003 but it has been southern hemisphere teams that have dominated. That is why it is so important for European teams to face the best in the world on a regular basis between World Cups.

Fierce Rivalries

Everyone enjoys the spectacle of the big rugby nations going up against each other and the annual Six Nations competition is a great event bringing together local rivalries. But there are other fierce rivalries that have grown between countries much further apart geographically and the Autumn Internationals provide an opportunity for those to be reignited.

Just about every team in the world thinks they have a rivalry with the All Blacks, as they have traditionally been considered to be the best. But England vs. Australia is also always eagerly anticipated, as is the match-up between France and South Africa. Every Six Nations team has some kind of history with the southern hemisphere sides and that always makes for some fascinating matches.

Special for the Fans

This intense rivalry and spectacle is an annual treat for rugby fans of the Six Nations teams. The Autumn Internationals are usually played across the UK, Ireland, and France in October and November each year and every single fixture is always highly anticipated. This is a chance for the fans to see the very best up close.

The inclusion of teams like Japan, Argentina, and Fiji adds yet another dimension to the appeal of these fixtures. These "newer" teams on the block quite regularly develop their own styles of playing the game that can be very exciting for Six Nations fans to watch, compared to some of the more tactically understated European teams.

World Cup Build-Up

Although the Autumn Internationals obviously give European teams, players, and coaches a very good idea of how they stack up against other nations, they can also be invaluable when it comes to World Cup preparation. Even when the next tournament is a few years away, these test matches can be used to get ready – or completely change styles of play.

The Men's Rugby World Cup is still considered to be the most prestigious tournament in the game and provides the chance for national pride that can transcend anything produced by the Six Nations. Every European rugby fan wants to celebrate a World Cup win and very few have had that chance. So, these Autumn Internationals can prepare the players as well as give the fans a chance to practice cheering on their heroes against the best of the southern hemisphere.

Figure 2 Everyone looks forward to a visit from the All Blacks – Source: Unsplash

Long Live the Autumn Internationals

Although the October and November internationals do not hold much weight as far as championship titles and trophies go, it could be argued that they are the most important matches outside of a World Cup. They are usually played at a higher level than most in domestic rugby and are often more exciting too.

The importance, rivalry, color, and skill on show are all reasons why the Autumn Internationals are so vital for rugby union. They are also the best way for Six Nations teams to see how they compare to the best in the world. That is why they are the biggest test for European teams.

The post Why the Autumn Internationals are the Biggest Test for Six Nations Teams appeared first on Ruck.