Lock: Brodie Retallick (New Zealand)
Last year’s World Rugby Player of the Year was a little quiet during the pool stage but grew into the RWC once the knockout rounds came calling. His steady progression throughout the tournament culminated in a stunning performance in the final, where he was every bit as important to the All Blacks as the likes of Nonu and Carter.
Lock: Lood de Jager (South Africa)
The dynamic lock added plenty of carrying threat to a South African pack which looked relatively blunt for much of the competition. His play forced the venerable Victor Matfield to the bench, as the Cheetah contributed significantly in every facet of the Springboks’ game, from the tight to the loose.
Flanker: Michael Leitch (Japan)
Japan’s inspired skipper led from the front, making a total of 51 tackles during the pool stage and driving his team to new World Cup heights. Seized the moment spectacularly.
Flanker: Richie McCaw (New Zealand)
The greatest player of his generation, All Blacks captain McCaw once again excelled on rugby union’s biggest stage. An imposing figure on and off the pitch.
Number 8: David Pocock (Australia)
There are just not enough superlatives to do Pocock’s performances at this tournament justice. He was by and far the RWC’s best individual performer and it was his tenacious work in the final that kept Australia competitive in a game in which they were clearly the second best team. The Zimbabwean-born back rower is the benchmark by which we must measure rugby’s breakdown operators and his combination of leg and core strength, technique and shorter stature have made him an almost unmovable object at the contact area.