Ireland were the standout performers for the northern hemisphere in the latest round of November internationals in which world champions New Zealand, Australia and South Africa all won. The Irish racked up an impressive 46-24 victory over the newest member of the Rugby Championship, Argentina, a raft of international rookies contributing to their fluid seven-try showing. But there was normalcy elsewhere as the All Blacks dominated Grand Slam champions Wales in a 33-10 win, Australia nipped Italy 22-19 and the Springboks edged England 16-15. The shock result came in Aberdeen, where Andy Robinson resigned as coach after Scotland lost 21-15 to Tonga. There was no such drama at the Stade de France as Les Bleus came from behind to register a 22-14 victory over Samoa. Australia coach Robbie Deans, who had seen his Wallabies routed 33-6 by France but rebound for a 20-14 win over England, claimed rugby’s north-south divide was shrinking after the narrow victory in Florence. “It doesn’t sound like a big divide to me. There’s nothing between them, you saw that today,” said Deans. But there could be no denying that New Zealand were a class apart from Wales, the European champions going into half-time 23-0 down at a shell-shocked Millennium Stadium. That they returned with spirit and claimed two tries of their own is testament to a fortitude instilled in them by coach Warren Gatland. But it did not prevent the All Blacks extending their 20-match unbeaten streak. The All Blacks were clinical, displaying skill sets across the park that sets them above any contenders to the world’s No. 1 ranking. Veteran hooker Andrew Hore will, however, likely miss New Zealand’s final tour match against England next week, the citing commissioner bound to have something to say about a high swinging arm that felled Welsh lock Bradley Davies from behind. Stuart Lancaster’s England side are staring down the barrel of a third consecutive loss against the southern hemisphere’s finest after back-to-back defeats to Australia and South Africa. “We didn’t win but there is enough there from a young side to give us the confidence that we will go on to win long term,” insisted Lancaster after going down to the ‘Boks. “It’s hugely disappointing, but I certainly do not go into the All Blacks game worrying that we won’t get a performance.” England have yet to beat a major southern hemisphere nation under Lancaster, with three Tests in South Africa in June yielding two defeats before a 14-14 draw in Port Elizabeth. Ireland coach Declan Kidney was left buoyant after his side demolished Argentina with ease. The Pumas had won three of the last five encounters between the sides and arrived in Dublin to face an Irish side under huge pressure after their worst run of results in more than 14 years. With their place in the second tier of seeds for next week’s World Cup draw under threat, Kidney’s men needed to turn their fortunes around quickly and they did so in some style. “You never think you’d get that number of tries against an Argentine side,” said Kidney. “But you also know that if things click, they’re well capable of doing it. “I can’t emphasize enough how at this level small things make a huge difference.” Kidney added: “Today was a good day, the players didn’t get too despondent after the South Africa defeat (two weeks ago) and we won’t get too excited now.” But in Scotland, Robinson has quit Sunday in the wake of his team’s humiliating 21-15 defeat by Tonga. “I believe I have left the team in a better position than when I took over and have great confidence in the players and the coaches for the future,” he said in a statement on Sunday. “I am very disappointed by our recent results but I have belief in the players to develop into a winning team.” There was no such upset in France as rejuvenated fly-half Frederic Michalak scored 19 points as Les Bleus twice came from behind to defeat Samoa, last week victors over Wales, and hand his team a sweep of their autumn series matches. “Mission accomplished,” said France coach Philippe Saint-Andre. “We had the objective of winning three matches and we have done it. It was a victory for courage and unity.”