Fly-half: Dan Carter (New Zealand)
The peerless Carter continues the streak of All Blacks and like Smith and Nonu before him, bows out of international rugby in glorious fashion. The graceful passes and composed kicking of the fly-half were exceptional throughout the tournament and even with him carving up defences with aplomb, it still felt as though Carter had the ability to kick it up into a higher gear if required.
Scrum-half: Fourie du Preez (South Africa)
The Springboks’ RWC campaign may not have gone the way du Preez would have wanted, but the veteran scrum-half (likely) signed off his international career in very good form. Aaron Smith has been the benchmark in scrum-half play these past few years, but du Preez took that mantle back, albeit on a very temporary basis, over the last seven weeks.
Looshead-prop: Scott Sio (Australia)
Sio may not have drawn the penalties from opposing scrums that Sekope Kepu did, but he was the foundation for Australia’s new and improved scrum. Under the tutelage of Mario Ledesma, Sio has kicked on from impressing at Super Rugby level with the Brumbies to becoming a bona fide test-calibre loosehead.
Hooker: Agustin Creevy (Argentina)
A great predecessor to Mario Ledesma, who hung up his international boots in 2011. A mobile and ball-handling hooker his off-loading skills and always capable of a turn-over. Worthy of a RWC Final spot.
Tighthead-prop: Manasa Saulo (Fiji)
Saulo was the spearhead of a Fijian pack which took England, Australia and Wales to the cleaners in the scrum. The tighthead even exposed Sio, who is our (and many others’) pick for the form loosehead of the competition. A move to one of the big domestic competitions is surely just a matter of time now for Saulo.