These have been the best players for each team at Rugby the World Cup so far, a fortnight since the competition kicked off.
SOUTH AFRICA: CHESLIN KOLBE
The best wing in the world at the moment. Showcased his dazzling footwork on the wing with three clean breaks in the Springboks' defeat by New Zealand. In the Boks' third match, he scored two tries against Italy and tackled like a man possessed. The speedster has also been very effective in the air despite his restricted height.
NAMIBIA: Thomasau Forbes
A willing carrier and fierce tackler, the flanker has been their standout player.
USA: AJ MacGinty
The tough fly-half found himself close to the top of his team’s tackle count against England, struck a number of testing kicks and turned Billy Vunipola inside out with some gorgeous footwork.
CANADA: Peter Nelson
The dynamic fly-half has tried his best to make things happen for the Canadians and would have scored a deserved try against the All Blacks if not for an incredible tackle from Beauden Barrett.
JAPAN: Kotaro Matsushima
A hat-trick on opening night against Russia, half Zimbabwean and half Japanese Matsushima has plenty of Super Rugby experience from time spent in South Africa and Australia - and it shows in his lethal finishing.
ENGLAND: Lewis Ludlam
Scored a deserved try after superb all-action display from Northampton flanker against USA featuring strong breakdown work. Best player on the field.
FRANCE: Gael Fickou
After a run of bad injuries, looks back to his best.
GEORGIA: Levan Chilachava
Chilachava was at the forefront of a devastating Georgian scrum in victory over Uruguay. The Montpellier prop scored his second try of the World Cup and dominated his opposite number for 80 minutes.
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IRELAND: Tadhg Furlong
The Irish have been far from their best but Furlong continues to perform to a high standard. Solid at the scrum, powerful at the breakdown and a threat with ball in hand, as his try against Scotland showed.
ITALY: Jake Polledri
The Gloucester openside was outstanding in attack as the Azzuri took Canada to pieces. He beat 14 defenders and made three line breaks, also providing a try assist as he finished with stats of 109 metres gained from 15 carries. Was also impressive against Namibia.
RUSSIA: Tagir Gadzhiev
His side may be languishing at the bottom of Pool A but clearly no one has told the Russian openside that. Never taking a backwards step, Gadzhiev has been imperious.null
SCOTLAND: Stuart Hogg
Having failed to turn up against Ireland, Scotland arrived at the World Cup with an emphatic win over Samoa. A threat all match with his running and kicking, it was Hogg's 40-metre drop goal that best demonstrated his world-class ability.
WALES: Gareth Davies
Man of the match for Wales against Australia thanks to a brilliant intercept-try that proved the matchwinner and his general, sniping, speedy play. Has emerged as one of the world's best No 9s over the last year to ensure the loss of Rhys Webb has barely been felt.
AUSTRALIA: Samu Kerevi
The Wallaby has been in fine form and was a constant source of go-forward his side. Has barely put a foot wrong.
FIJI: Semi Radradra
It has been a World Cup to forget for Fiji but, as ever, there have been flashes of brilliance. Radradra was at the centre of most of those against Georgia on Thursday as he set up three tries before helping himself to two.
NEW ZEALAND: Beauden Barrett
Somehow enhanced his standing as the world's best fly-half without actually playing there. tepping in as first receiver from full-back - where Barrett is operating to allow Richie Mo'unga to wear No 10 and place-kick - he's still running the show for the All Blacks.
SAMOA: Alapati Leiua
The Samoan bulldozer was in unstoppable form during his country’s win over Russia, scoring a try in each half as they got their World Cup campaign off to a winning start.
TONGA: Zane Kapeli
Selected almost solely for THAT hit Billy Vunipola.
ARGENTINA: Julian Montoya
The tournament's top try-scorer with four after his hat-trick against Tonga. After a masterclass in close-range finishing he will be pushing captain Agustin Creevy hard for a start against England on Saturday.null
URUGUAY: Santiago Arata
Uruguay's semi-professionals caused arguably the biggest upset at the World Cup so far as they edged out Fiji, and 23-year-old Arata typified their vibrant display while scoring a slaloming solo try.
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- Jordie Barrett over Damian de Allende is far from being correct. The hype around Dupont is also overreaching, he's probably 4th in the world and has been since the 2023 WC. He also avoids certain matchups which is strange. The rest of the list is pretty good apart from minor subjective biases.JasonMarlow16-09-2026
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