15. Ayumu Goromaru (Japan)
Something amazing will have to happen in the knockout stages for Goromaru to be unseated as the player of the tournament. Performances like this from a previously unheralded player are what makes the World Cup special.
14. Nehe Milner-Skudder (New Zealand)
Not as well known as Julian Savea, Milner-Skudder has been a surprise only to those that did not see him in action in Super Rugby last season. Four tries in three games and eight clean breaks should see him start in the big games to come.
13. Mark Bennett (Scotland)
Bennett has been a consistent shining light in a Scottish backline that has been a surprising delight at times. It was no coincidence that their most wooden display came when his creativity was missing from the midfield.
12. Matt Giteau (Australia)
Consistently excellent and a great example of why teams should play a distributor at 12. A top player playing in France whose nation have made an exception to include him in the squad – ring any bells? Mention to Robbie Henshaw, who has made a hell of an impact since returning from injury.
11. DTH van der Merwe (Canada)
Scorer of arguably the best try of the whole World Cup against Italy and maker of the most metres: 389m. The Scarlets have picked up a gem of a finisher.
10. Dan Biggar (Wales)
As the Welsh backline crumbles, Biggar has managed to drag all the replacements up to his level. His performance against England was almost impossibly good.
9. Gareth Davies (Wales)
He only started the World Cup because of an injury to Rhys Webb, although he may now have done enough to stop Webb from getting back into the team for some long time. Scorer of one of the most important tries of the World Cup to date.
1. Mihai Lazar (Romania)
There are no real stand-outs for the loosehead position. Jack McGrath has been great for Ireland but he’s only started two games. Lazar has been the cornerstone of an impressive Romanian pack, a team who wish that they could field 15 forwards rather having to bother with seven sub-par backs each week.
2. Shota Horie (Japan)
Horie is one of few hookers who actually hooks and that speed of ball to the back of the scrum was vital in Japan achieving the one of the greatest upsets in sporting history when they beat South Africa in round one.
3. Sekope Kepu (Australia)
Systematically took Joe Marler and the English scrum to the cleaners to set an excellent base for the electric Aussie backs, while also throwing the best offload you’re likely to see from a prop at this tournament. A very pleasant surprise.
4. Lood de Jager (South Africa)
He looks like he should still be having his food cut up for him, but do not be fooled – de Jager is another relentlessly physical, aggressive South African lock. He has been their standout player so far, showing some nice touches with ball in hand too. A massive mention for Alun-Wyn Jones also, whose passion never waivers.
5. Iain Henderson (Ireland)
The young lock has been Ireland’s best player in the group stage and was bafflingly left on the bench against France. There are few as powerful in the maul as Henderson, who makes a habit of dismantling opposition efforts to get it rolling.
6. Michael Leitch (Japan)
Has made more tackles and more carries over the gain line than anyone else in the group stages. He’s also the captain of everyone’s new favourite second nation.
7. Mamuka Gorgodze (Georgia)
Usually an eight or a six, but he wore this shirt in his man of the match performance against New Zealand. He is Georgia’s answer to Parisse. As shown against Argentina, they’re totally lost without his leadership.
8. David Pocock (Australia)
He’s managed to grab a whopping 10 turnovers in just three games so far, and even when he isn’t turning over ball he is relentlessly slowing it down. His display against England might have lost Robshaw a job.
Compiled by Sam Larner (@SamLStandsUp) & Jamie Hosie (@jhosie43)
Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images
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Not sure we are watching the same tournament I would have a different 15, 13 and 2 at the very least
Don’t keep us in suspense, Stephen!
Different fifteen to the man of the match in the biggest up set in rugby history? Not for me, defo goromaru
Agreed Goromaru is the first name on the team sheet.
Would change a couple though:
14: Cordero
12: SBW
7: Lam
SBW is a good shout but he’s only really played 2 games if you count actual playing time. Lam has been good, but, 83% tackle success and just 2 turnovers means he doesn’t get in this team for me. Cordero has been fantastic and he’s right in the mix with Milner-Skudder. DTH is easily the best winger so far though
Bit controversially, but I do think Bigger is being seriously over-praised. I’ve always been a fan of his, but he seems to have gone from one of the most underrated players around to the most overrated overnight.
His performance against England was great in his kicking, defending etc. But no better than Farrell than night (whilst Farrell was at 10). He still hasn’t come close to getting a back line rocking; even against 13 men.
Having been a Farrell fan for years, I’m constantly told that all he does is kick and defend so he isn’t in the same bracket as some 10s. Fair enough. Then why is Biggar? If anything, Farrell offers more with ball in hand that Biggar does.
While I appreciate your argument i’m not sure I could pick another 10 who has outperformed him.
The other contenders would be Sanchez or maybe Russell
Foley? Surely he’s the best fly-half so far by some distance. Dismantled England in attack and against Wales showed up those who claimed he was lightweight in defense
Two Tier 1 nations and he played brilliantly against each. Must be the top 10 so far
As for the rest – Nakawara at lock and Matawalu at scrum half – Gareth Davies has been good considering his low profile at the start but I felt that against Aus he was too keen to go himself and missed a few occasions when a pass would have been much the better option
Also, as Jacob says, if a top level 10 can’t orchestrate a back line to score against 13 men, there’s something wrong
Matawalu has only played two matches. He’s been pretty good but you can’t pick him as the best over 4 games.
Did you consider Scott Sio for loosehead? He’s been crucial to an Australian team who topped the hardest group and look the team to beat so far.
One Australian prop being praised as best in the tourny is bad enough; to name both of them would be twisting the knife… ;)
Goromaru
Cordero
Kriel
Giteau
DTH
Foley
Davies/Laidlaw
Sio
Horie
Nel/Kepu
Douglas
Nakarawa
Fardy
S Burger
Gorgodze