World two and three canter home

First Australia snuffed out England 18-9 at Twickenham, then New Zealand did the same to Wales 19-12 in Cardiff.

Australia were unlucky not to have a bigger margin of victory to be honest. This time next year they will have that bigger margin as the nerves and stutters that have plagued them this year, plus a couple of poor decisions each of which cost a try won't be made. Worth noting that both players that made them had generally good games too. The notable exception to that was George Smith. He still has the experience but his days are looking numbered unless he starts playing better.

Although the NZ-Wales scoreline was closer, and actually that intercept could easily have led to a try and a draw, the All Blacks just looked far more assured and comfortable. A brilliant bit of work for Shane Williams stopped one almost certain try, and the knock-on that denied a try in the first half looked like a penalty try to me - it was a knock-on because of an illegally lying there Welsh arm. That's speaking as a proud Welsh person too.

Martyn Williams, again, proved just what a class act he is. McCaw seemed to be more anonymous as the match went on. That wasn't really due to Williams, more due to the sudden upping of the tempo and the possession and the sweeping attacks that New Zealand launched throughout the second half. He was still there clearing rucks, moving the ball back, carrying the ball around, but there was no need for his skills at the tackle and subsequent breakdown because the All Blacks hardly had to tackle. But M. Williams slowed the ball down often enough that the All Blacks didn't romp away with it, and turned it over a few times too - notable that in the game's only try "M" couldn't get across the field fast enough to hit the rucks. Not his fault, the ball went half the width of the field each time, quick as rocket, and the rucks were barely formed before the ball was out and moving again.

Australia will face bigger challenges - both Wales and Ireland will be bigger challenges than England - but have gone some way to proving to themselves that the reason for a torrid Tri-Nations is that SA and NZ are just that much better at the moment, not that they're a bad side. A different order of play could have been a disaster for their confidence but this will help them grow into the tour.

Wales - well Wales have some positives as well as things to work on. Their back three, under the high ball, were found lacking. Particularly Halfpenny and Hook. The balance of their 10, 12, 13 might need some work. Jones, Hook, Roberts might work better than Jones, Roberts, Shanklin. Not that Shanklin isn't a good 13, but certainly 12 and 13 are then both big, smashing centres and Jones isn't a natural runner and jinker and the soft hands and side-step that Hook would bring them should be considered. The scrums, line outs and defence were all good throughout though, except for the high balls.

England - it's hard to know. Monye doesn't look comfortable as a full back, that was clear. Borthwick dominated at line out time, an area where Australia are frankly still in need of work, but they make up for it at scrum and tackle. The side was such a scratch side that it's hard to know if the dull, pedestrian attacking lines were typical, or just the result of not knowing each other well. It is clear that England's autumn scratch side are not likely to threaten the All Blacks in two weeks. Argentina, with a bit of luck, might well take them next week too.