The battle lines have been drawn, as we are now down to four teams following this weekend’s Rugby World Cup Quarter-Finals. Argentina, New Zealand, England and South Africa make up the semi-finalists, with just two matches standing in between Rugby World Cup immortality.
The weekend’s action began with Los Pumas of Argentina clawing their way into the final four, as they secured a 29-17 win over Wales. Ireland then once again fell in the quarter-finals, as their Rugby World Cup curse continues with a 28-24 defeat to the All Blacks. England then booked their spot in the final four with a dramatic 30-24 win over Fiji, and South Africa defeated France 28-29, in a truly unbelievable match to mark the end of the quarter-final stage.
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Here is RUCK’s Team Of The Week for the Rugby World Cup Quarter Final weekend.
BACK THREE
15. Thomas Ramos (France)
The top scoring rugby player of the 2023 calendar year, Thomas Ramos continued in his outstanding form for the quarter-final ‘classique’ against the Springboks. Having worked so hard to make Les Bleus’ number 15 jersey his own, Ramos orchestrated the back-field’s shape to halt the charging Springboks in Paris. A sharpshooter from the boot, Ramos slotted two conversions and three penalties to keep France’s score-board climbing against the relentless Springbok opponents. Eventually on the losing side of the score-line, Ramos left it all on the pitch against the sensational South Africans.
14. Emiliano Boffelli (Argentina)
A stunning performance by the Pumas winger, who’s goal kicking was a key difference maker in this match. Sure the overall result was decided by Nicolas Sanchez’ late winning try, but Boffelli kept Argentina in the match, as his metronomic kicking kept the scoreboard ticking over. The pick of the bunch was an almighty 55m effort, that halted Welsh momentum in it’s tracks. Argentina entered the quarter-final clash as underdogs, but march on to the last four thanks to the efforts of Michael Cheika’s magical right-winger.
11. Cheslin Kolbe (South Africa)
With all eyes on Antoine Dupont’s new headgear, the Rugby World Cup fans took their attention away from another magician in a scrum cap. Cheslin Kolbe put that to right, and burst into the Parisian night with searching runs from the get go. The electric Springboks’ winger exploded onto Jessie Kriel’s neat grubber kick into the back-field, and could not be caught by Damien Penaud for South Africa’s second try. Kolbe worked well defensively too, and got the better of his opposite man, as Penaud had a quieter day for the most part. A key instigator in the Springbok’s epic triumph, that wrapped up a phenomenal weekend of rugby.
CENTRES
13. George North (Wales)
With an honourable nod to Fijian captain Waisea Nayacalevu, we’ve gone for George North in the 13 jersey, who was Wales’ best player in their losing effort against Argentina. North repeatedly split through the Pumas midfield, but was let down by the men in red around him. He played in Josh Adams for a try-scoring opportunity, yet the winger could not gather the pass. The Ospreys man made a key break in the run up to Dan Biggar’s opening try, and was without a doubt Wales’ best attacking option on the day, and throughout the Rugby World Cup.
12. Bundee Aki (Ireland)
Aki has been Andy Farrell’s top performer at the Rugby World Cup, with this crushing defeat to the All Blacks being no different. Aki carried with intent each and every time, as he flew over the gain-line for a try at 26 minutes. He could not be stopped by thee All Blacks defenders, with two steps and an additional fend on Reiko Ioane, Shannon Frizell and Tyrel Lomax. Aki Levelled Keith Earl’s try-scoring record, with five Ireland tries in one tournament, as the New Zealand born centre showed great power, hot-stepping dummies and never stopped battling.