AFTER EVERY BUNCH of Rugby World Cup games we’ll attempt to pick out the players that really shone through, be it out in the open or from the bottom of a ruck.
Where possible, we try to pick players in the positions they played. However, sometimes you just have to wedge the form men in however you can – within reason, we’re not sticking Paulie on the wing or anything.
PA Wire / PA Images
PA Wire / PA Images / PA Images
South Africa are back on track and the front row laid the foundation against the Scots.
2. South Africa’s Bismarck du Plessis
The Springboks major strength is their line-out and with Bismarck in form, they can challenge and beat anybody in this tournament.
PA Wire / PA Images
PA Wire / PA Images / PA Images
3. Australia’s Sekope Kepu
Despite the protests of our resident scrum doctor, Neil Tracey, we’re including the Wallaby tight-head on a rare night on top for the green and gold scrum.
Aside from dominating (at least appearing to dominate) Joe Marler he was again good in the loose and never better than offering up this back-hand offload in the lead-up to the opening try.
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4. Ireland’s Iain Henderson
Didn’t get caught in the malaise his team-mates suffered and put in another huge effort full of power and energy.
5. England’s Joe Launchbury
The last thing he wanted was man of the match in Twickenham, but managed to put in a formidable display in an effort to turn the tide and make a game of a contest that should have been over at half-time.
6. Ireland’s Peter O’Mahony
Try-saving tackles, line-out steals to set up Ireland’s only try and a yellow card that summed up the mood of a nation as it was borne out of sheer annoyance. Top man, top class.
7. Namibia’s Jacques Burger
Two tries and a superhuman effort to help Namibia compete with serious Test nations
8. Australia’s David Pocock
There is simply no better breakdown technician. Another performance that proved the once-ridiculed Wallabies can win the World Cup.
9. South Africa’s Fourie du Preez
Never sat on his heels to enjoy the pack’s dominance, his attitude shines through as he demands more and more from his back before inviting his backs to power in.
PA Wire / PA Images
PA Wire / PA Images / PA Images
10. Australia’s Bernard Foley
Calling him the ‘Ice Man’ is just ridiculous, but he held his nerve in front of goal and ensured nobody could question his selection over Quade Cooper.
His two tries were gorgeous, even Jonathan Sexton-esque, a strike-runner to be feared in a team blessed with playmakers.
11. Australia’s Kurtley Beale
The best of the Wallaby back three, called off the bench early for Rob Horne and showed he had his homework done. Terrific hands to set up the above Foley try.
12. Australia’s Matt Giteau
Hitting his imperious ‘Toulon form’ now. Just a class act every time he gets near the ball and a produced a glorious finish with his late sprint to the corner.
PA Wire / PA Images
PA Wire / PA Images / PA Images
13. France’s Wesley Fofana
In ominously good form now. Another try and finding his rhythm with that elusive running style that must have Joe Schmidt praying for Jared Payne’s toe.
14. Argentina’s Santiago Cordero
Simply electric pace to worry any defence. Once Tonga were rocked with the opening try, he made it a double-tap with a searing break from deep to set up Juan Imhoff’s finish.
15. Argentina’ s Joaquin Tuculet
The Pumas are thrilling to watch in broken play these days and Tuculet is central factor to that. If he makes Diego dance, who are we to argue?
The 'Boks are back and Aussie, Aussie, Aussie! It's the RWC Team of the Week
AFTER EVERY BUNCH of Rugby World Cup games we’ll attempt to pick out the players that really shone through, be it out in the open or from the bottom of a ruck.
Where possible, we try to pick players in the positions they played. However, sometimes you just have to wedge the form men in however you can – within reason, we’re not sticking Paulie on the wing or anything.
Here’s our best XV of the weekend (you’ll find the finest players of the midweek matches here).
1. South Africa’s Tendai Mtawarira
He’s in there somewhere.
South Africa are back on track and the front row laid the foundation against the Scots.
2. South Africa’s Bismarck du Plessis
The Springboks major strength is their line-out and with Bismarck in form, they can challenge and beat anybody in this tournament.
3. Australia’s Sekope Kepu
Despite the protests of our resident scrum doctor, Neil Tracey, we’re including the Wallaby tight-head on a rare night on top for the green and gold scrum.
Aside from dominating (at least appearing to dominate) Joe Marler he was again good in the loose and never better than offering up this back-hand offload in the lead-up to the opening try.
4. Ireland’s Iain Henderson
Didn’t get caught in the malaise his team-mates suffered and put in another huge effort full of power and energy.
5. England’s Joe Launchbury
The last thing he wanted was man of the match in Twickenham, but managed to put in a formidable display in an effort to turn the tide and make a game of a contest that should have been over at half-time.
6. Ireland’s Peter O’Mahony
Try-saving tackles, line-out steals to set up Ireland’s only try and a yellow card that summed up the mood of a nation as it was borne out of sheer annoyance. Top man, top class.
7. Namibia’s Jacques Burger
Two tries and a superhuman effort to help Namibia compete with serious Test nations
8. Australia’s David Pocock
There is simply no better breakdown technician. Another performance that proved the once-ridiculed Wallabies can win the World Cup.
9. South Africa’s Fourie du Preez
Never sat on his heels to enjoy the pack’s dominance, his attitude shines through as he demands more and more from his back before inviting his backs to power in.
10. Australia’s Bernard Foley
Calling him the ‘Ice Man’ is just ridiculous, but he held his nerve in front of goal and ensured nobody could question his selection over Quade Cooper.
His two tries were gorgeous, even Jonathan Sexton-esque, a strike-runner to be feared in a team blessed with playmakers.
11. Australia’s Kurtley Beale
The best of the Wallaby back three, called off the bench early for Rob Horne and showed he had his homework done. Terrific hands to set up the above Foley try.
12. Australia’s Matt Giteau
Hitting his imperious ‘Toulon form’ now. Just a class act every time he gets near the ball and a produced a glorious finish with his late sprint to the corner.
13. France’s Wesley Fofana
In ominously good form now. Another try and finding his rhythm with that elusive running style that must have Joe Schmidt praying for Jared Payne’s toe.
14. Argentina’s Santiago Cordero
Simply electric pace to worry any defence. Once Tonga were rocked with the opening try, he made it a double-tap with a searing break from deep to set up Juan Imhoff’s finish.
15. Argentina’ s Joaquin Tuculet
The Pumas are thrilling to watch in broken play these days and Tuculet is central factor to that. If he makes Diego dance, who are we to argue?
Who would you have picked?
Coast-to-coast in 20 seconds: The Pumas showed their claws
Are you ready to watch Australia carve England apart again?
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pool stages Rugby World Cup rwc 15 Team of the Week Top XV