OKAY, SO WE know that four teams haven’t played in this Rugby World Cup yet, but Australia, Romania, Scotland and Namibia will get their chance soon enough.
After every bunch of 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).
1. Argentina’s Marcos Ayerza
One of two Pumas who make our Team of the Weekend despite defeat. Ayerza was critical to the incredibly powerful effort put in by Argentina. Could easily have been joined by his captain and hooker Augustin Creevy too.
With places up for grabs ahead of next Saturday’s big date with England, Baldwin didn’t put a foot wrong against a dogged Uruguayan breakdown effort and kept the set-piece flawless.
Alastair Grant
Alastair Grant
3. Japan’s Kensuke Hatakeyama
The first of two replacements in our XV. Hatakeyama played close to 40 minutes, including that heart-stopping late siege the Brave Blossom scrum mounted on the South African try-line.
AP / Press Association Images
AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images
4. Ireland’s Iain Henderson
Devin Toner will have a chance to offer a rebuttal next weekend, but the Ulster lock’s consistent ability to draw tacklers while making gainlines is making most onlookers consider him Paul O’Connell’s best possible partner in the second row.
Dan Sheridan / INPHO
Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO
5. Japan’s Luke Thompson
Second only to Captain Fantastic in terms of work-rate and tackles made. Thompson made 13 tackles from second row and his heft was more than welcome against the game’s giants.
PA Wire / PA Images
PA Wire / PA Images / PA Images
Advertisement
6. Japan’s Michael Leitch (Captain)
Watch the highlights back and marvel at the power and pace Leitch is still putting in to his carries in the last set of phases to draw the Springbok defence left to make room for the final astonishing attack.
Tim Ireland
Tim Ireland
Aside from his whopping 17 tackles, 12 positive carries and the intelligent finish from the mauled try, Leitch will go down in history as the man who refused to settle for a draw with the two-time world champions. For that, he is captain of this XV.
7. Georgia’s Mamuka Gorgodze
The Toulon behemoth called Saturday morning’s win over Tonga the greatest moment of his career and how he deserved it after 24 tackles, a brilliantly taken try and just dominating the game.
Joe Giddens
Joe Giddens
Were it not for Japan’s heroics, we would be talking a lot more about Georgia over the past two days and would be playing Gorgodze in his best position. Instead, for the purposes of this XV, he is keeping the excellent Justin Tipuric out of the number 7 shirt.
8. Japan’s Amanaki Lelei Mafi
The second replacement, but another Japanese forward who stood out in the outrageous second half in Brighton was number eight Lelei Mafi (wearing number 20).
The gif below shows his final carry, complete with the crucial hand-off that draws an extra defender his way and makes the space for Karne Hesketh (who was only introduced int he 79th minute) to leap for glory.
Mafi’s attention at the back of the scrum was also crucial to Japanese victory as the Springbok’s desperate drive rocked the set-piece and demanded decent footwork and (at one point) superb reactions from Mafi to dive on a loose ball to retain possession.
9. Japan’s Fumiaki Tanaka
The most famous of the Brave Blossoms going in to this tournament lived up to his billing.
AP / Press Association Images
AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images
10. Ireland’s Jonathan Sexton
A throwback to the Jonathan Sexton that blazed his way on to the European and international scene. After inspiring Ireland’s ruthless first half, he showed off his brilliant array of kicking skills before being called ashore.
Dan Sheridan / INPHO
Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO
11. Fiji’s Nemani Nadolo
On the losing side and guilty of missing relatively straightforward kicks at goal, but the big man on the wing at Twickenham was a force of nature throughout. He used his size to good effect to keep England’s defence on their toes even if the hosts’ attack left a lot to be desired.
Another crucial part to Argentina’s fearless attacking against the reigning champions. We have no All Blacks in this XV, but the bench is more reflective of their excellent late surge and Sonny Bill Williams came close to dislodging Hernandez from here.
Mike Egerton
Mike Egerton
13. Wales’ Scott Williams
Three tries might be enough to get you in most Team of the Weeks, but not here. Scott Williams was the brains behind Corey Allen’s hat-trick. Though playing at 12, expect to see him partnering Jamie Roberts when Wales head for London.
The best, most inventive and most exciting of a bad bunch of English attackers. Brown’s double made the bonus point possible for a stuttering home team.
Christophe Ena
Christophe Ena
15. Japan’s Ayumu Goromaru
Hauled Japan back in to the game on not one, but two occasions. First when South Africa went six ahead, showing nerves of steel to kick his goals, and again when they were seven clear and looking set to shut the game down.
Coach: Eddie Jones (Japan):
The mastermind behind the greatest upset in sporting history? His next challenge is to fire his players up to do it all again on Wednesday.
Replacements:
16. Shota Horie (Japan)
17. Jack McGrath (Ireland)
18. Manasa Saulo (Fiji)
19. Brodie Retallick (New Zealand)
20. Justin Tipuric (Wales)
21. Aaron Smith (New Zealand)
22. Aj MacGinty (USA)
23. Sonny Bill Williams (New Zealand)
We could only find room for 6 Brave Blossoms in our RWC Team of the Weekend
OKAY, SO WE know that four teams haven’t played in this Rugby World Cup yet, but Australia, Romania, Scotland and Namibia will get their chance soon enough.
After every bunch of 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).
1. Argentina’s Marcos Ayerza
One of two Pumas who make our Team of the Weekend despite defeat. Ayerza was critical to the incredibly powerful effort put in by Argentina. Could easily have been joined by his captain and hooker Augustin Creevy too.
2. Wales’ Scott Baldwin
With places up for grabs ahead of next Saturday’s big date with England, Baldwin didn’t put a foot wrong against a dogged Uruguayan breakdown effort and kept the set-piece flawless.
3. Japan’s Kensuke Hatakeyama
The first of two replacements in our XV. Hatakeyama played close to 40 minutes, including that heart-stopping late siege the Brave Blossom scrum mounted on the South African try-line.
4. Ireland’s Iain Henderson
Devin Toner will have a chance to offer a rebuttal next weekend, but the Ulster lock’s consistent ability to draw tacklers while making gainlines is making most onlookers consider him Paul O’Connell’s best possible partner in the second row.
5. Japan’s Luke Thompson
Second only to Captain Fantastic in terms of work-rate and tackles made. Thompson made 13 tackles from second row and his heft was more than welcome against the game’s giants.
6. Japan’s Michael Leitch (Captain)
Watch the highlights back and marvel at the power and pace Leitch is still putting in to his carries in the last set of phases to draw the Springbok defence left to make room for the final astonishing attack.
Aside from his whopping 17 tackles, 12 positive carries and the intelligent finish from the mauled try, Leitch will go down in history as the man who refused to settle for a draw with the two-time world champions. For that, he is captain of this XV.
7. Georgia’s Mamuka Gorgodze
The Toulon behemoth called Saturday morning’s win over Tonga the greatest moment of his career and how he deserved it after 24 tackles, a brilliantly taken try and just dominating the game.
Were it not for Japan’s heroics, we would be talking a lot more about Georgia over the past two days and would be playing Gorgodze in his best position. Instead, for the purposes of this XV, he is keeping the excellent Justin Tipuric out of the number 7 shirt.
8. Japan’s Amanaki Lelei Mafi
The second replacement, but another Japanese forward who stood out in the outrageous second half in Brighton was number eight Lelei Mafi (wearing number 20).
The gif below shows his final carry, complete with the crucial hand-off that draws an extra defender his way and makes the space for Karne Hesketh (who was only introduced int he 79th minute) to leap for glory.
Mafi’s attention at the back of the scrum was also crucial to Japanese victory as the Springbok’s desperate drive rocked the set-piece and demanded decent footwork and (at one point) superb reactions from Mafi to dive on a loose ball to retain possession.
9. Japan’s Fumiaki Tanaka
The most famous of the Brave Blossoms going in to this tournament lived up to his billing.
10. Ireland’s Jonathan Sexton
A throwback to the Jonathan Sexton that blazed his way on to the European and international scene. After inspiring Ireland’s ruthless first half, he showed off his brilliant array of kicking skills before being called ashore.
11. Fiji’s Nemani Nadolo
On the losing side and guilty of missing relatively straightforward kicks at goal, but the big man on the wing at Twickenham was a force of nature throughout. He used his size to good effect to keep England’s defence on their toes even if the hosts’ attack left a lot to be desired.
12. Argentina’s Juan Martin Hernandez
Another crucial part to Argentina’s fearless attacking against the reigning champions. We have no All Blacks in this XV, but the bench is more reflective of their excellent late surge and Sonny Bill Williams came close to dislodging Hernandez from here.
13. Wales’ Scott Williams
Three tries might be enough to get you in most Team of the Weeks, but not here. Scott Williams was the brains behind Corey Allen’s hat-trick. Though playing at 12, expect to see him partnering Jamie Roberts when Wales head for London.
14. England’s Mike Brown
The best, most inventive and most exciting of a bad bunch of English attackers. Brown’s double made the bonus point possible for a stuttering home team.
15. Japan’s Ayumu Goromaru
Hauled Japan back in to the game on not one, but two occasions. First when South Africa went six ahead, showing nerves of steel to kick his goals, and again when they were seven clear and looking set to shut the game down.
Coach: Eddie Jones (Japan):
The mastermind behind the greatest upset in sporting history? His next challenge is to fire his players up to do it all again on Wednesday.
Replacements:
16. Shota Horie (Japan)
17. Jack McGrath (Ireland)
18. Manasa Saulo (Fiji)
19. Brodie Retallick (New Zealand)
20. Justin Tipuric (Wales)
21. Aaron Smith (New Zealand)
22. Aj MacGinty (USA)
23. Sonny Bill Williams (New Zealand)
‘At scrum time, God it was punishing stuff’: Keith Wood looks back on a run-in with Romania
Rugby World Cup comes up trumps on brilliant opening weekend
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Amanaki Lelei Mafi dream xv Rugby World Cup rwc 15 rwc team of the week Team of the Week