By Nick Said for Reuters
The winds of change have swept through international rugby in the past few weeks, with historic firsts and a potential changing of the guard at the top of the world game as northern hemisphere teams flexed their muscles down south.
Ireland's victory over the All Blacks has shaken up the rugby scene. Photo: Aaron Gillions / www.photosport.nz
Ireland's first series victory in New Zealand has sent them rocketing to the top of the global rankings while their outclassed hosts dropped to fourth, their lowest ever ranking.
England, meanwhile, claimed a 2-1 series victory against Australia and Wales gave world champions South Africa a mighty scare by claiming a first away win against the Springboks, though they ultimately lost the series.
With a little more than 14 months to go to the start of the Rugby World Cup in France, this month's internationals suggest that the tournament will be wide open.
New Zealand in particular will need to rediscover their mojo. They have now lost four of their past five tests, piling the pressure on coach Ian Foster, who refused to discuss his future after the latest defeat.
"For some reason we're just not as calm," Foster told reporters. "In the defence area we're getting a bit fidgety. New Zealanders have got to realise that this was a very good Irish team; they deserve their time in the sun."
Irish eyes may be smiling, but Ireland have a history of peaking between World Cups and now face the significant challenge of carrying recent momentum into next year.
"I have talked about the leadership group, how they've grown and developed, and we've coached this team together," coach Andy Farrell said. "It's the most proud I've been as part of a group."
South Africa's superiority finally showed in their 30-14 third test win over Wales in Cape Town to clinch their series, but there is no doubt they were rocked by the tourists. Wales might have won the first test as well had they shown more composure in Pretoria.
"We're very pleased; the positives outweigh the negatives," Wales coach Wayne Pivac said of their tour. "It was a big step in the right direction."
Following their series win in Australia, England coach Eddie Jones believes his side are in a "great position" ahead of their World Cup campaign in France next year.
"It is a really positive step, we always felt the team was going in the right direction. Sometimes results don't reflect that," Jones told Sky Sports.
"It is like training a racehorse. We don't want to be at our best until the World Cup finals; we need to keep building the base, the depth, the competition and our style of play. We are in a good position."
Argentina's dramatic 34-31 victory over Scotland in Santiago secured their series 2-1.
- Reuters