RUCK picks our stand-out performers from the weekend's matches, in which England, New Zealand, South Africa and Wales secured victories to reach the semi-finals...
Rugby World Cup 2019 team of the quarter-finals
Fullback | Beauden Barrett (New Zealand) - He was awarded the man of the match against Ireland. A glorious skill-set - he showcased it to telling effect; a brilliant footballer no matter where he plays.
Winger | Jonny May (England) - Touched the ball three times in the first half and finished with two tries. Rolled up his sleeves in the second half but injured late on.
Centre | Virimi Vakatawa (France) - Stepped in midfield to set the platform for fast French start and then added a try for good measure. How did he not make his team’s initial wider World Cup training squad this summer?
Centre |Anton Lienert-Brown (New Zealand) -Some masterful link-play and dummy runs in midfield as the rest of the backs around him stole the headlines. Selection ahead of Ryan Crotty, Sonny Bill Williams underlined his class.
Winger | Makazole Mapimpi (South Africa) -A very busy man out wide racking up 116 running metres during the 80 metres. He scored two excellent tries and marked Japan’s dangermen well out wide.
Fly-half | Dan Biggar (Wales) - Excellent game management in the heat of battle and under the most intense pressure. Kicked superbly from the tee.
Scrum-half | Aaron Smith (New Zealand) -Stole two tries from heads-up plays close to the line and organised his pack superbly. Completely outplayed Conor Murray. Stuff's man of the match
Prop | Mako Vunipola (England) - First start since May for the blockbusting loosehead, who tackled and carried with ferocity. A huge shift.
Hooker | Codie Taylor (New Zealand) - Justified his selection by slowing down the Irish ball at almost every ruck and putting pressure on Conor Murray's kicks. Physical, yet disciplined.
Prop | Kyle Sinckler (England) - Displayed his athleticism and rugby smarts with a wicked line to score the try that killed off the Wallabies. “A runaway rhino,” said Eddie Jones
Lock | Alun Wyn Jones (Wales) -Carried and led as well as ever. Worked hard in the tight and guided his team home even when at one stage all looked lost.
Lock | Sam Whitelock (New Zealand) - Rampaging first half in his finest performance in years. Weary customer who battled through end-of-season tour in 2018 looked like a distant memory.
Flanker | Tom Curry (England) - Stunning performance, he's defying his age and becoming absolutely essential to England's campaign.
Flanker | Sam Underhill (England) - Marginally outshone by Curry but he was also outstanding on a day in which the Wallabies' back row was dominated.
Number 8 | Kieran Read (New Zealand) - A very good display from the All Blacks captain, a quality that has been missing a little over the past year or so but reminiscent of his best on the day both in attack and defence.
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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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