Scandalously, there is no room for a terrifically in-form Munster winger.
The second round of pool games is in the history books so now is the time to reflect, rate and ram together a Best XV.
The fun started last Thursday when Namibia frustrated the hell out of New Zealand at the Olympic Stadium. There were no shocks over the weekend but Canada pushed Italy to the brink and the United States had Scotland trembling.
Wales stunned England at Twickenham before Ireland rounded out the action in six-try style. Here’s our World Cup team of the weekend.
15. Simon Zebo
It may have been against Romania but even the All Blacks would have struggled with Zebo. Excelled at fullback and reined in his poacher instincts to play a key [assisting] role in three Irish tries. His pass for Keith Earls’ first was sublime. So close to a wonder-try of his own…
14. JP Pietersen
Ran in a hat-trick against Samoa and threatened all afternoon. Showed great instincts to score an intercept and was like a sopping bar of soap to tackle. South Africa are lucky they have him.
13. Ciaran Hearn
The Canadian edges out Scott Williams [Wales] after an excellent outing against Italy. Serious set of afterburners. Teamed up with DTH van der Merwe for his try and contributed both line breaks and offloads.
12. Jean de Villiers
In his final ever Test match, the Springboks captain gave his all in a winning cause. The TMO denied him a great score but he kept plugging away and played a key role in two of South Africa’s tries. Pride was restored as de Villiers – broken jaw and all – led from the front.
11. DTH van der Merwe
This is the controversial call. Keith Earls was amazing for Ireland but he is bumped out by the Canada winger. He scored the tournament’s best try so far, against Italy, and made clean breaks for fun. It is a shame he only has two matches left here.
10. Dan Biggar
When Ronan O’Gara praised Wales for their “balls”, he surely had Biggar in mind. Kicked his team to the edge of glory before stepping up to score the winning penalty. Solid around the park too.
9. Nick Phipps
Australia put the biggest beating on a team in the World Cup, on Sunday. Much of their energy and drive came from Phipps. Interestingly, he passed 71 times from 75 possessions – go, go, go. On the two times he ran, he caused havoc. One snipe directly led to Dean Mumm’s try.
1. Cian Healy
The Irish loosehead only played 49 minutes against Romania but did enough to forcefully fling his hat into the selection ring for Italy. Strong in the tackle and showed up in backline moves.
Showed off a lovely spiral kick before he was called ashore to a standing ovation.
2. Codie Taylor
The only All Black to make the time after they made hard work of Namibia. Taylor is perhaps the game’s best hooker when it comes to broken play. Showed that again, on Thursday, whilst looking after his set-piece jobs.
3. Dan Cole
Has looked extremely solid and assured since returning from a career-threatening neck injury. The English front row certainly did their job, against Wales, as the home scrum dominated. Made seven meaty tackles in defence and even chipped in with a line break.
4. Matias Alemano
Georgia had to be tamed before they could be picked apart. Alemano and his Argentinean teammates did that job, and then some. Hugely physical presence around the park and a line-out beacon.
5. Alun Wyn Jones
The years pass yet AW’s form never dips. At 30, the lock is one of the oldest players in the Welsh squad. No armband but he led from the front and tackled like his life depended on it.
10 carries to earn hard yards and 13 tackles. On until the victorious death.
6. Dan Lydiate
Just the 15 tackles from the indefatigable Lydiate on Saturday. In defence, the flanker was scarily good. Hunted white shirts with gusto and took some shifting at Welsh rucks. Loved the physical battle.
7. Sean McMahon
Just what Australia need – another excellent openside! Scored two tries against Uruguay and was a constant menace.
Only injury will see him get into the full-strength Wallabies back row, however.
8. Toby Faletau
Wales won 76 or their 77 rucks [98.8%] and much of it was down to this man. A tonne-weight to shift. Tackled with menace around the fringes and provided some pressure-relieving carries.
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