, wed sit them; doesnt matter. So the opponents not the thing. Its abo

Italys heroics have been rewarded this week, and there were impressive performances from New Zealand, Ireland and Japan as well.Ireland were unable to recreate history with another win over the All Blacks after beating them 40-29 in Chicago, but both sides were full value in Dublin with the All Blacks managing a 21-9 win.Elsewhere, Italy stunned the Springboks in Florence and Japan pushed Wales right to the end in Cardiff. There were plenty of influential individual performances, but who had the biggest impact? Have your say in our vote below. 15. Luke Morahan (Australia) Luke Morahan of Australia makes a break against France Morahan has been pushing his case for a starting spot for some time and took his opportunity against France in just his second start for the Wallabies. There were some big runs from the Force full-back, who broke through the first-time Les Bleus tackles with ease. Sky Sports Rugby Podcast Will Greenwood reviews week three of the autumn internationals The 26-year-old was always looking to attack as well as putting in his tackles, while also dealing with the aerial assault from France.14. Semesa Rokoduguni (England) Semesa Rokoduguni and Jonathan Joseph analyse Englands convincing win over Fiji at Twickenham The Bath winger looked dangerous every time he got the ball, and from his first run against Fiji it looked like only a matter of time before he scored.And score he did - twice in fact. Rokoduguni was awarded man of the match for his contribution, putting himself in the frame for an outing against Argentina and Australia.13 Tevita Kuridrani (Australia) Tevita Kuridrani scored an incredible try against the French Kuridrani scored one of the tries of the season as Australia secured a 25-23 win over France in Paris. The try was reminiscent of Kevin Pennys wonder-score for Warrington in rugby league. The Brumbies centre somehow managed to get the ball down in mid-air and in touch while almost upside down.Besides his impressive dot-down, the 43-Test international also carried well and did his share of defensive work against the French.12. Wesley Fofana (France) Wesley Fofana scored a try that kept France in the game Contenders for this jersey were Italys Luke Mclean and Irelands Garry Ringrose, with the Irishman performing well out of his usual position when Robbie Henshaw left the field against the All Blacks.Fofana was superb for France, though, with some beautiful footwork and an eye for the gap. There were 14 carries from the Clermont man in Paris, racking up 74 metres, and his try brought France back into the game.11. Israel Dagg (New Zealand) Malakai Fekitoa celebrates his try with Israel Dagg (right) Elliot Daly pushed hard in an unfamiliar position on the wing, but its Dagg who gets the nod this week for his running and play-making contribution in Dublin.Dagg, a natural full-back, came onto the wing to counter Irelands aerial game which they used so well in Chicago - and handled everything they kicked at him and countered brilliantly.10. Beauden Barrett (New Zealand) Beauden Barrett scored a try after breaching the Irish line George Ford and Bernard Foley were considered, but the recently crowned World Rugby Player of the Year was instrumental for the All Blacks against Joe Schmidts men.His pace had Irelands defence stretched and his game management kept tacklers on the back foot. Plenty of defensive effort as well from the Hurricanes No 10 which, along with Brodie Retallick, kept the Irish at bay.9. Will Genia (Australia) Will Genias decision-making contributed to the undoing of France It was a smart game from Genia who kept France guessing with his awareness and decision-making. The Australian set up Bernard Foleys try with a quick tap and also made the break that resulted in Kuridranis try.A nod to Kendra Cocksedge, whose 20-point haul helped the Black Ferns produce a stunning comeback to beat England at the Stoop on Saturday.1. Lucas Noguera (Argentina) Lucas Noguera receives treatment The Argentine gave opposition prop Zander Fagerson a real lesson up-front and did the same to Moray Low when Scotlands replacement came on.The loosehead also made three carries and five tackles in Edinburgh.2. Jaba Bregvadze (Georgia) Ireland vs Australia November 26, 2016, 5:00pm Live on Get Sky Sports Get a Sky Sports pass Georgias forwards were impressive in their win over Samoa, and the Worcester hooker played a key part in proceedings.A 100 per cent record with his lineout throws was coupled with 12 tackles to complete a valuable shift in the front row.3. Tadhg Furlong (Ireland) Tadhg Furlong made 10 carries for Ireland One of the weekends star performances from the Irish prop who made his mark on the All Blacks defence. Furlong carried brilliantly, with Kieran Read and Brodie Retallick sent packing in their attempts to try to stop him.The Leinster man scrummed well and offered a few offloads from his carries on his way to beating three defenders.4. Brodie Retallick (New Zealand) Highlights of Irelands Autumn International clash against the All Blacks in Dublin The All Blacks promised an improved performance in Dublin and Retallick led the way in the forwards. The 2014 World Rugby Player of the Year contributed an enormous 17 tackles and also carried the ball seven times.His work ethic around the fringes at the rucks and mauls ensured Ireland struggled to attack from close range.5. Devin Toner (Ireland) Devin Toner (left) wins the ball despite attention from Kieran Read Toner was Irelands go-to man at the lineout, winning nine out of 17 throws at the Aviva Stadium while also making the most tackles out of all the forwards with nine hits.It was an influential performance from Toner who went up against the best second-row pairing in the world in the returning Retallick and Sam Whitelock.6. Josh van der Flier (Ireland) Josh van der Flier played 59 minutes against New Zealand after replacing CJ Stander Van der Flier replaced CJ Stander and played one of the games of his life - a huge effort from him with some big carries and even bigger tackles.Van der Fliers 51 metres was the most by any Irishman on the day - and also tied second overall in the game - and his 12 carries were impressive given his late introduction to the game in comparison with some of his team-mates.7. Simone Favaro (Italy) England vs Argentina November 26, 2016, 1:30pm Live on Get Sky Sports Get a Sky Sports pass Irelands Sean OBrien was immense against New Zealand - he did not stop carrying for 80 minutes - however, we have to recognise Favaros role in helping Italy beat the Springboks for the first time.The flanker carried well - making the most metres from the second-most carries in his team - but it was in defence he truly shone, making 12 tackles while effecting two crucial turnovers.8. Amanaki Mafi (Japan) Amanaki Mafi made 12 carries for Japan in Cardiff There were some huge performances from the likes of Jamie Heaslip, and Italy captain Sergio Parisse, but they are beaten to the No 8 jersey by Mafi.Another tireless display from the former Bath man who was inspirational against Wales. Mafi was second in Japans ranking for carries, but his 18 tackles were unmatched by any team-mate in Cardiff.Upgrade to Sky Sports now and get 12 months half price. Hurry, offer ends December 4th!Also See:Scotland move up in rankingsWATCH: Greenwoods England analysisWATCH: Woodwards England XVWin England v Argentina tickets On Thursday night the Golden State Warriors beat the San Antonio Spurs 112-101 to become the second team in NBA history to win 70 games in a season. Our US sportswriter Alex Ferguson asks: Will they get to the Chicago Bulls 72 game record?Like almost every game this season, Stephen Curry was the leader for the Golden State Warriors on Thursday night. He dropped three bombs from three-point range, had nine assists and on the other side of the nets, had two steals and five defensive rebounds. Oh, and he had 27 points total, which led the team.After losing two out of their last three - and one of those to a team who wont trouble the NBA Play-Offs - people were beginning to ask if this team could get over the 70-game hump and beat the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls vaunted record of 72 wins in a season. Curry is the NBAs most in-form player Well, on Thursday night, they had an answer: Yes. They controlled a Spurs team who had all the stars playing - despite coach Greg Popovics reputation for benching all of his starters before play-off time to ensure freshness - from start to finish, becoming only the second team in NBA history to win 70 games.The surge for the record has been a cue for everybody to ask the hypothetical question: Who would win if Jordans Bulls played Currys Warriors in a NBA Finals battle (you know, forgetting about conditioning, speed, size etc)?Bulls great Scottie Pippen - who starred alongside Jordan and Dennis Rodman - said that the 1995-96 Bulls would sweep the Warriors in four games. I dont think wed take the night off, Pippen told The Dan Patrick Show. I think that my size and length would bother [Curry] a little bit. Michael Jordan is arguably the NBAs greatest player And its not going unnoticed by the US media that the one tie that binds the 1995-96 Bulls team to the 2015-16 Warriors is one Steve Kerr. In Chicago he was a second-tier player (Jordan, Pippen and Rodman were the first, with Toni Kukoc, Ron Harper, Luc Longley in the second), averaging 7.8 points per game. In Golden State he is a first-tier coach, on the verge of history.But Kerr himself knows the responsibility is winning his second straight NBA title, which is why he told ESPN that hes thinking about resting his top players now that his team has home-field advantage throughout the play-offs.ddddddddddddWeve been putting it off for as long as we were able to, which was until we got the 1-seed, he said. Now that we have that, Im inclined to give some guys some rest if they need it, but Ive sort of made a pact with the guys that if they are not banged up and they are not tired and if they want to go for this record or whatever then -- so we got to talk. Steve Kerr #25 played for Bulls in their heyday I think that the young legs of the Warriors will certainly want to go and beat history. After all, everyones talking about it and not playing the game would probably cause a bunch of Teslas to be set on fire and iPads to be thrown around in frustration in Silicon Valley.But after the Boston and Minnesota losses, Golden State cant afford to lose one of their next three game if they want to beat the Bulls record.Two of the clashes come against the Memphis Grizzlies (the first and third), who themselves have confirmed a play-off place and will certainly have the away disadvantage in the first round. The Grizzlies have won just one game in their last seven, and were obliterated by the Warriors in their two previous games, losing by 50 points in their first game and 16 in the second. Yeah, it hasnt been pretty. Golden State Warriors have dominated Memphis Grizzlies this season Sandwiched in between that is a clash on the road against the Spurs. Popovich - who incidentally coached Kerr to a NBA title when he played at the Spurs - has already said that hes not going to rest his own stars for that one. We dont want to sit them two nights in a row going into the playoffs. That doesnt make much sense, he said. No matter who were playing tomorrow, wed sit them; doesnt matter. So the opponents not the thing. Its about minutes, time, age, all that stuff. Hell be hoping that young star LaMarcus Aldridges little finger is mended by Sunday night. The NBA world certainly will!So can the Golden State go 3-0 and seal their place in history? I think yes. ' ' '