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
🌹@KyleSinckler what a time to score your first @EnglandRugby try. #COYQ #CarryThemHome #RWC19 pic.twitter.com/kGOJrvjZ54
— Harlequins 🃏 (@Harlequins) October 19, 2019
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.
Glorious 😂😍
— Tim Cocker (@cocker) October 19, 2019
The MOST English thing that’s ever happened. Love you Tom Curry! pic.twitter.com/5lRKfGYsYA
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.