Here are the latest rugby headlines on Sunday, November 13.
New Zealand pull off comeback against Scotland
Scotland lost 23-31 to New Zealand in their Murrayfield clash, extending the All Blacks' unbeaten run against the Scots to 32 matches.
It looked like the men in blue were going to be in for a long afternoon when New Zealand scored two early tries through Samisoni Taukeiaho and Mark Telea to earn a 14-0 lead in no time, but Scotland soon hit their straps. A penalty try was awarded after full-back Stuart Hogg was pulled down by Lienert-Brown, who was subsequently sin-binned. Moments later, Darcy Graham thrilled the crowd with his brilliant, fleet-footed score.
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Finn Russell, starting at fly-half days after being recalled to the squad, kicked five from five from thee, including three penalties.
But New Zealand bounced back in the final quarter, coinciding with indiscipline from Scotland, with late Telea and Scott Barrett tries sealing a 31-23 victory.
Scotland face Argentina next Saturday in their Autumn Nations Series finale.
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Webb scores for Barbarians v All Blacks XV
Rhys Webb appeared off the bench to score a try within three minutes as the Barbarians accounted for a New Zealand XV at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The Wales international pounced from short range after a fine carry from Zac Mercer had taken play to within a couple of metres of the opposition line. A dummy was enough to buy the scrum-half the space he needed to find his way over. It actually proved a vital score as the Baa-Baas claimed a 35-31 victory.
Mercer was outstanding for them and Webb gave a real shot of energy after coming on as a 57th-minute replacement. He troubled the defence more than once and was illegally taken out at one point after a kick ahead.
Fellow Welshman Aaron Wainwright also made it onto the field, featuring with 12 minutes to play.
The Kiwis had an opportunity in the final seconds with a lineout five metres out. But Baa-Baas forward Wenceslas Lauret managed to poach the throw for Webb to put into touch.
Jac Morgan selfless amid praise
Jac Morgan had a queue of big names lining up to sing his praises after the youngster’s startling show off the bench for Wales against Argentina. In just 53 minutes on the field, the 22-year-old put in 17 tackles and made four powerful carries which earned his side 32 metres.
Warren Gatland called the openside “a man possessed” while Sam Warburton classed him as phenomenal. Taulupe Faletau later described the Osprey as awesome. But the 22-year-old from Brynamman gave no indication of getting carried away when he came down to talk to the press after the win.
When asked if he enjoyed the game, his answer came in the affirmative but centred significantly on how “gutted” he was for Dan Lydiate to have picked up an injury. He also hailed his back-row colleagues in Wales’ squad in response to a question about Lydiate, Justin Tipuric and Taulupe Faletau.
“The boys are brilliant players and it means a lot just to be around them and learn and see how they train and see how they perform and what they are great at,” he said. “I’m trying to just keep on learning from them.
“They are great with me, as well, and always have time to help out. It’s great to be with them and try to develop as a player.”
Wales defeated the Pumas 20-13 and face Georgia next weekend, a game Morgan insists will offer them another test. “We’ll look forward and hopefully build and get another win, but it’s going to be a tough week," he added. "Georgia are a tough team. It’ll be a good challenge.”
Pivac happy with Wales resolve
Wayne Pivac believes that Wales underlined considerable strength of character after they went toe-to-toe with Argentina and revived their Autumn Nations Series campaign.
Wales' physicality was questioned when New Zealand horribly overpowered them seven days earlier, running in eight tries and scoring 55 points. Argentina's heavyweight pack would have targeted similar collision-based dominance, but Wales repeatedly knocked them back during an arm-wrestle of a Test match at the Principality Stadium.
"Rugby players, anywhere in the world, my experience is when they are challenged around physicality, you normally get a response," Wales head coach Pivac said, following a 20-13 victory. "The boys were very keen to get out there and put some of the wrongs of last week right, and we could not fault that defensive effort.
"The players kept coming forward over the 80 minutes, and there are some big boys there (in the Argentina team) that have caused the top teams in the world a lot of problems in the last 18 months, in particular. It tells you something around the character of the team because you judge a team's character by its defence, normally."
'Tomos Williams deserved 80 minutes'
Pivac also highlighted the contributions of scrum-half Tomos Williams and full-back Louis Rees-Zammit to what was only Wales' third victory this year following wins against Scotland and South Africa. Williams scored one of Wales' two tries, while Gloucester wing Rees-Zammit excelled on only a third start of his career in the number 15 shirt.
"Tomos got the 80 minutes [against Argentina] because he is playing so well," Pivac said. "We just felt that he needed to stay out there, and it is a good confidence-booster for him. Everything we asked him to do during the week he delivered on. I thought he marshalled the forwards really well, because with the effort they put in they would have been tiring at times, and he led from the front with his actions and also his voice."
Georgia are next for Wales in their autumn programme, which provides a dress-rehearsal ahead of next year's World Cup pool meeting in Nantes. Pivac says he will not be making wholesale changes, but two are likely to be forced on him with lock Will Rowlands and flanker Dan Lydiate sustaining injuries against Argentina. Rowlands has a shoulder problem and Lydiate hurt his arm, making them doubts to face Georgia and final autumn series opponents Australia.
Farrell insists England have rediscovered mojo
Owen Farrell insists England have rediscovered their mojo after they warmed up for the main event of the autumn against New Zealand by crushing Japan 52-13 at Twickenham. He believes England enter Saturday's clash with renewed purpose after liberating themselves of the over-thinking that he said had blunted their attack against the Pumas
"It definitely felt like a step in the right direction. It felt more like us, it felt more like what we are capable of, although we we are not there yet," the team's captain said. "There are a few things to tidy up but in terms of intent, in terms of getting the best out of ourselves, that was miles better.
"Now we'll see where we can take it against New Zealand. We've got seven days together now to see how much better we can get."
Ireland expecting Australia to come out 'all guns blazing'
Stand-in Ireland captain Tadhg Furlong expects wounded Australia to arrive in Dublin "all guns blazing" following their historic humiliation at the hands of Italy. Andy Farrell's men complete their autumn campaign against the Wallabies next weekend after backing up victory over world champions South Africa by beating Fiji.
While the Irish were claiming a disjointed 35-17 win over Vern Cotter's side at the Aviva Stadium, much-changed Australia were simultaneously at the end of a shock 28-27 loss in Florence. The two-time world champions have lost 11 of 15 Tests during the past year following a landmark first defeat at the hands of the Azzurri and Furlong is braced for a response.
"I saw the result when I came off the pitch," said the prop, who celebrates his 30th birthday on Monday. "I suspect they are [a wounded animal]. They're a very proud nation. I'm sure they'll be coming all guns blazing next week."
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