No shocks during the latest World Cup week, unless you were expecting England to finally front up.
The hosts are out but the tournament continues.
Here are the players that stood out over the past few days of World Cup action.
15. Ayumu Goromaru (Japan)
Continued his fine tournament with another top display against Samoa. Kicked 16 points had a hand in a Japanese try, made 13 carries and even turned the Samoans over… twice.
14. JP Pietersen (South Africa)
May not possess the blistering pace of old but he knows where the tryline is. Was too much for Scotland to handle.
13. Paul Perez (Samoa)
One of the only shining lights from a disappointing Samoan side. Made clean breaks and beat defenders for fun and scored a second-half try. Keith Earls did well at outside centre but was guilty of some loose passing.
12. Matt Giteau (Australia)
Bringing Giteau back into the fold was an inspired decision. Where England have faltered by ignoring Top 14 stars, Australia have flourished. Rounded off a great game by scoring a fine try in the corner.
11. Julian Savea (New Zealand)
Now has 35 tries in 38 tests and has registered three international hat-tricks. The Hurricanes winger was impossible to stop on Friday night and delivered one huge fend-off when scoring his first try against Georgia.
https://youtu.be/qHEDlnSyKnA
10. Bernard Foley (Australia)
What a game! The Waratahs out-half scored two electric tries and kicked a further 18 points for his country as they ended England’s World Cup hopes.
9. Will Genia (Australia)
His vision, awareness and slick passing were key in Australia’s first two tries and he worried England all night long.
1. Scott Sio (Australia)
The Wallabies were told that England would dominate them up front but, as Michael Cheika said, talk is cheap. Sio had a big, big game was thundered into the English front row.
2. Shota Horie (Japan)
A revelation for his country in this World Cup. Taking his lead from modern hookers in that he is a ball-carrying threat and an additional loose forward in defence. 13 tackles, 12 carries and two turnovers. Even managed a smart kick in behind the Samoan lines.
3. Sekope Kepu (Australia)
No mean feat taking it to Joe Marler in the white-hot atmosphere of Twickenham. Kepu was pivotal in Australia turning the scrummaging screw on their hosts. Handy in the loose too.
4. Iain Henderson (Ireland)
The sole Irishman in the team and very much deserving of his place. Carried with menacing intent and tackled like a demon. His block-down of Tommaso Allan’s kick and ragdolling of Edoardo Gori was all very Stephen Ferris.
5. Lood de Jager (South Africa)
Another worthy man-of-the-match recipient over the weekend. Constantly put his team on the front foot with carries, claimed line-outs and stole one from Scotland. Led his team for tackles landed [16] too.
6. Scott Fardy (Australia)
The Wallabies back row were crucial in winning their side the game at Twickenham. Fardy edges out Japan’s Michael Leitch and Peter O’Mahony of Ireland for his faultless work at the coal-face and pressure relieving tackles, and carries.
7. Simone Favaro (Italy)
This man will no doubt take up the Italian captaincy whenever Sergio Parisse calls it a day. He disrupted Ireland at the breakdown and tackled anything green that moved. Harsh on the excellent Michael Hooper but the Aussie was sin-binned for a foolish hit on Mike Brown. Mamuka Gorgodze was immense for Georgia, too.
8. David Pocock (Australia)
The best performance by any back-row forward at the World Cup. Secured one turnover and won his team a couple of penalties. He was next to impossible to shift at the breakdown. It’s all coming together nicely for the Aussies.
