It has been quite an unpredictable Autumn so far - but one that, by all accounts, has been a fair reflection of how the teams have been playing in recent months, particularly those from the south.
As predicted here, after being consistently bested by the best from the south, the best from the north have finally swung the pendulum to their side. Not all the way, though, but it’s there.
Results from this month’s Tests have altered the world rankings, which in turn, will be a crucial factor when the draw for the 2019 World Cup is made in May.
Of the tier one countries, Ireland has made the best gains, going up a step in mid-Nov from 6th at the end of Oct, and now gaining another rung to be at 4th.
At the other end, South Africa has paid the price for losing eight of 12 Tests this season, especially its three defeats from three Tests on tour this month.
The Springboks were 4th at end Oct, down a step in mid-Nov, and now are at 6th. This means they will be in the second band for the draw and will be grouped with one of the top four teams.
One concern in South Africa is how best to stem the flow of some of their best players to the rich clubs in France and England.
The last few years have shown how this exodus has affected their Super Rugby franchises and the national side.
Australia too, appears to be taking the same route, although the national union has a dispensation for foreign-based players to be considered for Wallaby selection.
The other southern team to lose out in respect of the draw is Argentina. With a current ranking of 9th, the Pumas will be thrown to the wolves with two of the best eight.
The Pumas have no doubt improved since joining the big three in the south in 2012 to play in the Rugby Championship, but there are clear weaknesses in their side despite their flamboyance. Maybe it’s in the coaching.
To lose 27-14 to an England that was playing with one man short for 75 of the 80 minutes doesn’t do any favours for the ego, but that sums up the situation the Pumas are in.
The Autumn internationals conclude this weekend with England hosting Australia. A win for the host will make that 14th in a row, and a step closer to the record 18 straight wins the All Blacks set on October 22 after defeating Australia in Auckland.
What the recent Tests have shown is what a team needs to do if it wants to have a sniff of upsetting the All Blacks.
In four of their last five games, the All Blacks allowed their opponents to dominate upfront and lost out badly in the possession and territory statistics.
The ball-carrying runs upfield by their forwards were thus restricted and this in turn meant their young backs had limited opportunities to attack.
One has to agree with critics who pointed to the performances of captain and No. 8 Kieran Read against his opposite number, in which Read was clearly overshadowed and outplayed.
However in three of these games, the All Blacks won, scoring six tries to one against Australia, three to nothing against Ireland in Dublin, and three against one to beat France in Paris last weekend.
No doubt the All Blacks won, but they won ugly and that cannot be a reassuring feeling as they look to the Lions tour in June.
One consolation for the All Blacks is that the only time a team outscored them in the try count was in that historic win by Ireland in Chicago, where the Irish scored 5 tries against four.
Despite reassuring performances by Ryan Crotty, Anton Lienert-Brown and Malakai Fekitoa in the midfield, coach Steve Hansen would surely be looking forward to the return from injury of Sonny Bill Williams and winger Nehe Milner-Skudder. Another centre that should be available for selection next year is Charlie Ngatai who is undergoing concussion protocols.
Australia lost its hope for a Grand Slam after losing to Ireland last week and their game against England is not going to be easy either.