The results are in and your Autumn Nations Team of the Series has been confirmed.
Northern Hemisphere representatives edge out their Southern Hemisphere counterparts in an 8-7 split that features players from seven nations.
But no country has more Team of the Series inclusions than the All Blacks’ five after Ian Foster’s men ended the month unbeaten in Tests against Wales, Scotland and England.
All three Player of the Series nominees secured their spot and World Rugby Player of the Year Josh van der Flier was one of two Ireland players to make the team.
The other, Tadhg Furlong, received the highest proportion of a vote with 68% of people agreeing the Leinster prop was the premier blindside across the autumn.
Next to Furlong, an all-European front row sees England’s Ellis Genge and France’s Julien Marchand pack down after each scored a try in three Autumn Nations Series starts.
No lock came close to matching Eben Etzebeth’s 170 metres carried this autumn and the South African was a clear favourite for the No.4 jersey with 61% of the vote.
Scott Barrett features next to the Sharks forward and while Ardie Savea may have missed out on a nomination for World Rugby Men’s Player of the Year, he stormed the polling at No. 8.
On the other flank to Van der Flier, new Scotland captain Jamie Ritchie gets the nod after playing a central role in his country pushing Australia and New Zealand all the way.
In the half-backs, Aaron Smith made two starts for New Zealand and dazzled in both as he grabbed a brace of tries against Wales and orchestrated the All Blacks’ dominance over England until his substitution on the hour mark at Twickenham.
And Scottish fly-half Finn Russell similarly made a big impression in a pair of acclaimed performances, carrying 123 metres, providing four try assists and slotting 10 kicks against the All Blacks and Argentina.
The midfield-partnership is an all-New Zealand affair, with Jordie the second Barrett brother to make the Team of the Series.
Rieko Ioane was at his monstrous best against Wales, Scotland and England, carrying an average of 74.3 metres and making four dominant tackles from 15 total – a mind-blowing ratio.
Player of the Series Damian Penaud was the difference maker against Australia in Paris, with his try borne of individual brilliance ensuring Fabien Galthié’s men kept up their 100% record in 2022.
But no one crossed more than the Springboks’ Kurt-Lee Arendse after the winger dotted down five times against Ireland, France, Italy and England.
No player got close to his 479 metres carried and only Darcy Graham could match his seven line-breaks.
Rounding off the Team of the Series is Italian revelation Ange Capuozzo who looks set for a sparkling future in the sport with three breath-taking tries in just two matches for the Azzurri.
Autumn Nations Series 2022 Team of the Series
1 Genge 30% (England)
2 Marchand 30% (France)
3 Furlong 68% (Ireland)
4 Etzebeth 61% (South Africa)
5 S. Barrett 29% (New Zealand)
6 Ritchie 31% (Scotland)
7 Van der Flier 40% (Ireland)
8 Savea 57% (New Zealand)
9 A. Smith 37% (New Zealand)
10 F. Russell 52% (Scotland)
11 Arendse 40% (South Africa)
12 J. Barrett 42% (New Zealand)
13 R. Ioane 62% (New Zealand)
14 Penaud 36% (France)
15 Capuozzo 59% (Italy)
