HALFBACKS
10. Owen Farrell (England)
On the weekend that featured the end of Johnny Sexton’s career, it was a tough call to select Owen Farrell over the iconic Irishman. However, had Farrell not been firing at the very top of his game, England could well have exited the Rugby World Cup against Fiji. An exquisite performance from his regular fly-half position, England’s captain marched his side out and dictated the match from the boot. The Saracen imposed his physicality with strong dominant tackles, and nailed a Wilkinson-Ford esque drop goal on England’s road to victory. Exciting signs from Farrell who gave a true captain’s contribution both in attack and defence. An honourable mention is also in order for France’s Matthieu Jalibert.
9. Antoine Dupont (France)
The stage was set for Antoine Dupont, as the little magician pulled trick after trick from his newly donned scrum cap. Returning from a cheek-bone fracture for this do-or-die match against the Springboks, Dupont was in irresistible form, contributing key passes for try assists and constantly splitting the defence. Dupont’s passing gave his halfback partner Matthieu Jalibert plentiful space to run the midfield, and the scrum-half also put in a seismic shift in defence with key tackles and sweeping coverage when the ‘Boks broke into the back-field. Unfortunate to suffer defeat in the overall result, as France have to wait four more years for a shot at their first ever Rugby World Cup.
FRONT ROW
1. Cyril Baille (France)
A stunning first half from the French loose-head, as Cyril Baille was a key contributor against the Springboks. Baille crossed over for two first half tries, with his first being a nice dive into the corner to ignite the high-octane match. The second score saw the prop finish off an expertly worked rolling maul, as a pack of ‘Bok and blue bodies crashed over the line. Top tier scrummaging and a dangerous threat in the midfield, as Baille stamps his name amongst the world’s best number ones.
2. Julian Montoya (Argentina)
The Argentina captain was phenomenal in his side’s quarter-final triumph over Wales. The Leicester Tigers man is so consistent for club and country, he was a key driving force for Los Pumas as they reached the final four. Ever-present at the breakdown, Montoya bounced his way through the Wales back-line and sent Warren Gatland’s men falling onto the back-foot. Eight tackles presented his defensive work-rate, when he wasn’t emptying the tank in the scrum and orchestrating the rolling mauls.
3. Tyrel Lomax (New Zealand)
The key cog of the All Blacks’ front row, that got the better hand of the strongest man in world rugby. Lomax schooled Andrew Porter up-front, leading to the Leinster loose-head to give away three scrum penalties for not driving straight. These key kicking points were capitalised upon by Richie Mo’unga and Jordie Barrett, with Lomax getting the plaudits when the pack collapsed. Lomax was awesome against Ireland, and has steadily become Ian Foster’s first-choice tight-head for the Rugby World Cup.