LOCKS
4. Eben Etzebeth (South Africa)
The pantomime villain in the Stade de France, the towering South African lock was booed relentlessly by the French fans after returning from the sin bin. Etzebeth led the Springbok’s fight-back with monstrous carries and even harder hits, and made the day a tiresome one for Antoine Dupont and co. Etzebeth Scored a key try in the unbelievable quarter-final match, as he adopted a D.I.Y mentality to drive himself through a wall of blue defenders and over the try-line. A true gold and green gladiator, Etzebeth did not led the crown faze him and stood up for his 118th test match to lead his side to victory.
5. Maro Itoje (England)
His best match for a very long time, as England march on to to the Rugby World Cup semi-finals. After showing signs of coming back to his top form in the pool stages, Itoje looks to have hit top gear against Fiji, as he did in time for the 2019 Rugby World Cup Final. He got the Marseille crowd on their feet with a stunning intercept and striding carry downfield after fending a tackler away. Exquisite chop tackles, racking up a total of 11 overall for the lock. Brilliant turnovers and leading by example, Itoje was back to his elite best.
BACK ROW
6. Courtney Lawes (England)
Simply epic. Lawes had one of the games of his life on Borthwick’s blindside flank. Lawes flew into tackles from kick off, as England’s line-speed was something to marvel at. He ran for a chart-topping 13 carries, and gained a total of 72 metres with the ball-in-hand. Like Itoje, Lawes has gotten back to his very best in time for the pinnacle matches of his career. Excellent over the turnover, as came up with two key steals in the second half’s more tense stages. Constantly offering an option in attack, Lawes was sublime today.
7. Sam Cane (New Zealand)
An immense contribution from the All Blacks captain. Sam Cane is back fully-fit and firing, and begun his quarter-final outing with an almighty hit on Caelan Doris. Presented the hits for his back-row teammates to get over for the turnovers, with Ireland’s attack failing to fully click into their world-beating gear. Finished the match with a staggering 23 completed tackles, as a true standard bearer for the men in the black jerseys. A date with Argentina is on the horizon, with Cane salivating for the physical Pumas’ challenge. Honourable mention to England’s Tom Curry, who’s 17 tackles saw him top the charts for the match with Fiji.
8. Ben Earl (England)
14 tackles. 11 carries. Simply awesome. Ben Earl was phenomenal against Fiji, and looked set to score the try of the tournament following his solo breakaway in the closing moments of the match. Quick over the break-down, Earl worked tirelessly to secure the turnovers, and had the entire England side whipped into a frenzy. Key turnovers, and a total of 130 metres made with the ball-in-hand, Earl had one of, if not his best day in an England shirt. Earl silenced all the selection queries after starting over number eight specialist Billy Vunipola, and continues to be a starring man in England’s Rugby World Cup squad.
REPLACEMENTS (5-3 Split)
16. Peato Mauvaka (France)
17. Thomas Gallo (Argentina)
18. Finlay Bealham (Ireland)
19. Marcos Kremer (Argentina)
20. Ardie Savea (New Zealand)
21. Tomos Williams (Wales)
22. Johnny Sexton (Ireland)
23. Jordie Barrett (New Zealand)