The teams for this year’s Rugby World Cup final have been confirmed over the weekend as England and South Africa prepare for a repeat of the 2007 showpiece.
New Zealand and Wales on the other hand fell short in their attempts to win the Webb Ellis Cup and will face-off in the third-place play-off. After two very different games we choose the 15 players that impressed the most over the weekend.
Backs
15) Leigh Halfpenny – When the team announcements were made and it was confirmed that Wales’ regular full-back Liam Williams would not play any part in the tournament people feared the worst. Although Halfpenny came in as a more than able replacement, catching every high-ball that came his way, looking dangerous with ball in hand and adding the conversion to Josh Adams try after Dan Biggar left the field. Unfortunate to be on the losing side in what was a complete individual performance.
14) Anthony Watson – This was a performance that was just missing a try. Electric from start to finish, causing the All Blacks problems every time he touched the ball. His form throughout the competition has been impressive and he will be hoping to continue it in the showpiece against the Springboks on Saturday.
13) Manu Tuilagi – He seems to show up every time they play the All Blacks, but this was an incredibly explosive performance which began with a brilliant pick and go try within the opening two minutes. His attacking talents were on display for all to see but it was in defence that he showed up even more, pressuring the opposition and putting in some big hits. The Boks will have some job trying to stop him if he continues at his current form.
12) Damian de Allende – The Springboks performance was not the most incredible to watch but it was effective and this man’s try was vital in the end. He made metres with every carry and put in a solid defensive display. The power and willingness he showed to score his try was incredible. His clash with Tuilagi will be one to watch this weekend.
11) Josh Adams – Like Halfpenny he was on the losing side but he looked sharp with the ball in hand and got the Welsh back into the game with a try, his sixth of the tournament. He grows with every match he plays and although disappointed not to make the final, he will look back at this tournament with great pride on an individual level.
10) Handre Pollard – Ice cold under pressure! The Springboks fly-half was rightly named man of the match in the team’s semi-final as he maintained a 100% kicking record throughout the contest and had a hand in the lead up to de Allende’s try. His kicking battle with Farrell and Ford in the final could be the difference between the two sides.
9) Faf de Klerk – Another brilliant performance to add to his ever growing collection. He runs the game for the Boks, he knows who should be where, when to pass, when to kick, and he can do it all. Although being among the smallest players in the tournament he competed and claimed some kicks in the air and even went up against Welsh lock Jake Ball as tensions boiled over. Fearless in every situation and working his way to being named the best scrum-half on the planet.
Forwards
1) Mako Vunipola – He may have only come back to full fitness mid-way through the tournament but he has shown no signs of being rusty and was at his best against the men in black. Never shies away against the opposition pack and his physicality in defence is something that could counteract the Boks pure brutality in attack.
2) Ken Owens – Put in a massive shift, staying on the pitch for 72 minutes, which alone is impressive for a hooker, let alone for a hooker against powerful opposition like the Boks. His set-piece was perfect and was one of the leaders on the pitch as Wales attempted to snatch a famous win.
3) Frans Malherbe – He was only on the park for 47 minutes but he seemed to be everywhere. Making tackles all over the place and won a couple of fantastic penalties for his side as took advantage of some isolated Welsh attackers.
4) Maro Itoje – Gets better and better under pressure. Facing the All Blacks is a daunting prospect, but he was coming up against a former World Player of the Year in Brodie Retallick and in the personal battle he certainly won. He made some sensational tackles, broke through the All Blacks line-out maul to win a penalty at one point and carried with real intensity. He is still young and will continue to grow and after facing one of the best second-row pairings this weekend he can look forward to facing another in the final.
5) Courtney Lawes – His 55 minute cameo was as impressive as any that he has had in the white of England. He and Itoje won the battle in the engine-room and slowed the All Blacks in open play. It remains to be seen whether he will start the final, but he did his chances the world of good with this display.
6) Tom Curry – The standout player of the weekend! At 21 he has time on his side, some would forgive him if he shied away in the big games but he has done the complete opposite. Against Australia last weekend he took on some of the best back-rowers in the game and came out on top and did so once again against the reigning back to back World Cup holders. If he continues to grow at the rate he will become one of the best back-rowers in history.
7) Pieter-Steph Du Toit – He was a bright spark in what was a dull enough game, were the Boks failed to show their full capabilities. Du Toit just has an unbelievable amount of strength, barrelling through defenders like as if they were rag-dolls at times and smashing attackers that came anywhere near his team’s try-line.
8) Ross Moriarty – Taking up the reins from Josh Navidi and was brilliant. Scored the winning try in last week’s quarter-final and playing a huge part in Adams try as he controlled the ball well at the back of the scrum. He will have another chance to shine against the All Blacks on Friday.
