'Lionel Messi moment', Lood de Jager red card drama and celebrity fans - Top moments from Quilter Nations Series Round 2
Updated 10/11/2025 at 11:01 GMT
The second weekend of the 2025 Quilter Nations Series delivered drama aplenty. At Murrayfield, it was a standout performance from Damian McKenzie that helped New Zealand avoid defeat against Scotland. England beat Fiji thanks to another strong bench display, while there was a Lionel Messi comparison for Argentina, another Australia defeat, and some star names watching games.
Highlights: England recover to down flamboyant Fijians in cracker
Video credit: TNT Sports
McKenzie magic
Scotland were roaring, Murrayfield was raucous.
From 17-0 down, Scotland had pulled back level at 17-17, and it looked like the day when finally - after 120 years of waiting - the All Blacks would be beaten.
Then Damian McKenzie stepped up to shatter Scotland hopes.
Down to 14 men, New Zealand had barely been out of their own half when McKenzie's stunning 50:22 gave them an attacking lineout right in the corner with 10 minutes remaining.
Soon after, McKenzie scored an incredible try, somehow contorting his body to touch the ball down and not go out of play as two defenders collided into him.
A pressure penalty from 45 metres out delivered the win and ensured Scotland’s wait goes on.
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'Rugby from the gods' - Insane McKenzie finish breaks Scotland hearts in classic
Video credit: TNT Sports
England’s bench delivers again
Just as against Australia, England’s replacements made a telling difference against Fiji.
From 21-18 in the 54th minute, England powered away to win 38-18 as Steve Borthwick unloaded his bench.
Former captain Jamie George and current captain Maro Itoje both scored after coming on, as did Henry Arundell on his 23rd birthday.
"We've seen in Test matches that the margins are so small," said Borthwick about England’s bench strength.
"It is about understanding the fitness of the players for going 80 minutes and the impact of the bench. That, alongside composure and resilience, are important components."
Next up for England? New Zealand.
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'Absolute wheels' from Arundell as winger outpaces Fiji defence to secure England win
Video credit: TNT Sports
'Reddest of reds' or 'rugby incident'?
After Tadhg Beirne’s controversial red card in the opening round of fixtures, there was another dismissal that somewhat split opinion this weekend.
South Africa lock Lood de Jager was given a red card shortly before half-time against France after it was deemed he made direct shoulder-to-head contact with French full-back Thomas Ramos.
TNT Sports commentator Nick Mullins called it the "reddest of reds", but former South Africa World Cup-winning captain John Smit disagreed with the call.
Another ex-Springbok, Schalk Burger, described it as "just a rugby incident".
"What got him was the tucked left shoulder," Burger said on SuperSport.
"Ramos is down, and you’ve got to feel for Lood. You look at it in real time, that tackle happens 90 times a weekend. And if you slow it down, it’s just that left shoulder where he tucked.
"Often, you tuck your left shoulder when there is already someone in the tackle; it’s a natural instinct. You don’t put it out. Straight red? I can’t agree with that."
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De Jager receives permanent red for 'intentional and reckless' head-high tackle
Video credit: TNT Sports
Kolisi takes 'tough call on the chin'
It was a landmark game for South Africa captain Siya Kolisi and head coach Rassie Erasmus against France.
Kolisi was celebrating his 100th cap, while Erasmus was marking his 50th in charge of the Boks.
It didn't turn out exactly how Kolisi might have hoped as he was replaced by Andre Esterhuizen at half-time following De Jager's red card.
But the centurion was praised for the way he handled the decision.
"I want to say thank you to our captain, who was taken off because Andre can play loose forward and centre, which was a tough call," said Erasmus.
"But when I told him, he just took it on the chin and understood."
Kolisi said: "On a day like today, having to leave the field was a fitting example of putting the team first."
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Highlights: Kolisi claims 100th cap as 14-man South Africa sink France in Paris
Video credit: TNT Sports
Matera's Messi moment
Last week it was Tottenham Hotspur defender Micky van de Ven being compared to Lionel Messi for his superb solo goal in the UEFA Champions League.
Just days later, Pablo Matera's moment of magic against Wales saw him earn comparisons with the Argentina great.
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Matera
Image credit: Getty Images
Same energy...
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Messi
Image credit: Getty Images
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‘Touch of Lionel Messi about him’ – Biggar on incredible assist for Pumas try
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More misery for Australia
Australia’s miserable 2025 hit a new low as they were beaten 26-19 by Italy.
To make it worse, at the heart of the win for Italy were the son of a former Wallaby great, Louis Lynagh, and an Australia-born winger, Monty Ioane.
Lynagh, born in Italy when his father Michael played for Treviso, scored first in the comeback win, then Ioane touched down to secure victory and deliver a blow to Australia’s hopes of a top-six place for the 2027 World Cup draw.
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Highlights: Ioane produces winning try as Italy claim famous win over Australia
Video credit: TNT Sports
Top six cemented?
It looks as though the top six for next month’s World Cup draw is set.
South Africa, New Zealand, Ireland, England, France and Argentina look sure of their Band 1 spots in the draw, with Australia’s hopes of breaking into the group dented following their loss to Italy.
The top six will be the leading seeds in the World Cup and therefore separated at the group stage.
Australia and Scotland still have a small chance of making it in, but it looks unlikely.
Further down the rankings, Wales’ position in the second group could be under threat.
They currently occupy the last spot in Band 2 and next face Japan, who are a place behind them in the rankings.
England faithful
Always faithful to the cause, new national treasure Joe Marler was at Allianz Stadium to see England banish Fiji…
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: Former England player Joe Marler
Image credit: Getty Images
Wales positives?
They might have been beaten again, but was this the start of a bright new Wales era under Steve Tandy?
Wales legend Sam Warburton saw some positive signs in defeat to Argentina.
"I think that's a team that 75,000 people can get passionate about, they feel represents them and what we are as a nation," he said.
"I think we can instil that and Steve Tandy has that as a person. I think that will naturally infiltrate all the team.
"You lead on people like Jac Morgan who can spearhead that. I think we can become a really tough team to beat, but it will take time."
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‘Exactly what Wales need’ – Warburton on ‘world-class’ Morgan
Video credit: TNT Sports
Henry in the house
France and Arsenal legend Thierry Henry was among those in attendance to watch arguably the game of the weekend between France and South Africa at the Stade de France…
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Watch and stream every game of the Quilter Nations Series live on TNT Sports and discovery+
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