As the Rugby World Cup pool stage came to a dramatic end, here is a look at some of the stand-out players so far:
Fullback: Beauden Barrett (New Zealand) –He is relishing his new roving role allowing him to wreak havoc at will with his pace, strength and ability to change direction to find a way through the slightest gap.
Winger: Kotaro Matsushima (Japan) – Scored Japan’s first try against Scotland, again showing his poacher’s that got him a hat-trick in the tournament opener against Russia. A constant threat.
Kotaro Matsushima is fast emerging as one of the biggest stars of the global game 💯🔥
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) October 6, 2019
Electric, elusive and powerful ⚡️💪@JRFURugby #RWC2019 #JPNvSAM pic.twitter.com/4u5UIetCNs
Outside centre: Semi Radradra (Fiji) –The 27-year old was twice named Man of the Match with incredible performances against Georgia and Wales in the pool stages. He made Rugby World Cup history in the Georgia game by becoming the first player from a non-Tier One nation to be directly involved in five tries in a single World Cup game.
Semi Radradra, you aren’t human 🇫🇯
— The Rugby Paper (@TheRugbyPaper) October 9, 2019
BIG hit! #WALvFIJpic.twitter.com/ZVxDsqzO2x
Inside Centre: Anton Lienert-Brown (New Zealand) –Has been very good in his two appearances so far and is vital for the All Blacks.
Winger: Cheslin Kolbe (South Africa) – He has been, without a shadow of a doubt, the Springboks’ best player at the World Cup. Some may even argue he is the best player at the tournament altogether. If that is the case, it would place the fleet-footed wizard at No 1 out of 620 players competing.