It is only fitting that Southern Hemisphere players dominate the best, combined team of this weekend’s World Cup action.
There were emphatic wins for New Zealand and Argentina while South Africa and Australia squeezed past valiant Welsh and Scottish efforts.
15. Joaquin Tuculet (ARG)
The fullback scored a stunning try to break Irish hearts and put in a masterful performance across the park.
14. Nehe Milner-Skudder (NZ)
His step, at high, high speed, left two Frenchmen in his wake and let to a blinding score. Threatened France all night long.
13. Tevita Kurindrani (AUS)
Scored what proved to be a crucial try when he powered over near the death. The Scots answered back before Foley’s late penalty. Kurindrani is a hard man to take down. Matias Moroni from Argentina was excellent too.
12. Juan Martin Hernandez (ARG)
A playmaker at 12 that can also lay down heavy hits? Robbie Henshaw should study a video of JM’s all-round excellence at the Millennium Stadium.
11. Julian Savea (NZ)
So, so, so many guys putting their hands up for this slot. Savea was Jonah Lomu squared on Saturday night.
Credit: World Rugby (YouTube)His hat-trick overshadows wondrous outings from Drew Mitchell, Juan Imhoff and Irish impact sub Luke Fitzgerald.
10. Nicolas Sanchez (ARG)
Stuck it to Ireland in every imaginable way, not least his 23 points off the tee. Set a lightning quick tempo for his team. Dan Carter was a joy to watch for New Zealand.
9. Aaron Smith (NZ)
Coming to the boil nicely in this tournament. Quick, precise ball for his back-row and backline runners, with intelligent kicks and snipes to keep France honest. Honourable mention for Scotland’s Greig Laidlaw.
1. Marcos Ayerza (ARG)
Pummelled Ireland at the scrum until he ran out of steam in the second half. For a loosehead to register 10 tackles in an hour, too, is very impressive. Equally good, against France, was Owen Franks.
2. Stephen Moore (AUS)
Solid in the scrum and with his throwing, Moore was needed for every moment he was on the pitch to urge his team on and lead from the front with tackles and turnovers. Rory Best (Ireland) and Dan Coles (New Zealand) both did well.
3. Willem Nel (SCO)
The Aussie front row was lauded with praise coming into this game but he gave Scott Sio a tough time and tackled well in the loose.
4. Brodie Retallick (NZ)
Spotted that Freeric Michallak was limping and charged down his kick to score an opportunist try. Does the basics immensely well.
5. Tomas Lavinini (ARG)
Joe Schmidt could not get over just how good, and physical, the Pumas second row was. Couldn’t disrupt Ireland’s lineout but did a fearsome job of wrecking their heads, and bodies, everywhere else.
6. Dan Lydiate (WAL)
24 tackles made for the Welsh cause and left a big hole when he was withdrawn for the final 15 minutes. All action performance all whilst playing with a nearly installed metal plate in his eye socket.
7. Schalk Burger (SAF)
The sole South African representative, although Duan Vermeulen was also handy. Secured a couple of key turnovers and halted one break that threatened another try. Constantly got his team over the gainline.
8. Leonardo Senatore (ARG)
From the moment he planted Tommy Bowe in the turf, it was clear that he meant business. Horsed into Ireland and caused nightmares all day. We could not live with him. Kieran Read was, once again, astonishingly good.
