15. Ben Smith (New Zealand)
Imperious under the high ball in despicably difficult conditions on Saturday. The South African kicking game was good, too, but he still managed to claim everything that came his way.
14. Adam Ashley-Cooper (Australia)
A hattrick in a semi-final is stunning achievement, no matter how easy the run-ins are. And if the last two were relatively simple, the first required good accelaration and the belief in himself to pin his ears back and go for the corner – which is more difficult than it sounds when you’ve got a whole backline drifting towards you on the inside.
13. Marcelo Bosch (Argentina)
One stunning line-break in the opening exchanges set the tone for an excellent outing for the silky Saracen. Managed a couple of sneaky turnovers when Pocock wasn’t looking, too.
12. Ma’a Nonu (New Zealand)
Did the simple things well and almost always made it over the gainline when carrying. Single-handedly created Beauden Barrett’s try by running on an arc, that sucked JP Pietersen into no man’s land.
11. Drew Mitchell (Australia)
There weren’t too many stand-out performers on the wing, so Mitchell gets this spot purely for his mazy run that set up the contest-ending try for Ashley-Cooper. The stats say he beat 10 defenders in the game – they must all have been in that one run.
10. Dan Carter (New Zealand)
A masterclass in fly-half play when the conditions aren’t in your favour. Probed the corners with skidding kicks out of hand, and his off-the-cuff drop goal showed peerless technique under pressure.
9. Will Genia (Australia)
None of the scrum-halves unduly impressed over the weekend, but Genia put in probably his best performance of the World Cup to date, fizzing passes away from the breakdown to set his dangerous back-line on the front foot.
1. Marcos Ayerza (Argentina)
Part of an Argentinian front row that chewed up and spat out its Australian counterparts with complete disdain. Busy in the loose.
2. Stephen Moore (Australia)
There weren’t really any eye-catching performances at hooker this weekend, so Moore takes the spot for intelligent captaincy and a good work rate that saw him make nine tackles and miss none.
3. Frans Malherbe (South Africa)
It was a toss-up between Malherbe and Ramiro Herrera, both of whom absolutely monstered their opposite numbers in the scrum.
4. Eben Etzebeth (South Africa)
Made 16 tackles with a 100% success rate, and brought his unique brand of physicality to every one of them.
5. Sam Whitelock (New Zealand)
Oversaw a flawless All Black lineout which, given the conditions, is highly commendable. Also poached a crucial one off the Springboks at an important juncture late in the game.
6. Scott Fardy (Australia)
The unsung hero of the Australian back-row is starting to receive some overdue plaudits. Racked up the tackles again. Great lineout ability, better facial hair.
7. Michael Hooper (Australia)
Tore about the park doing what he does best, namely bringing chaos to the tackle area. Not as precise an operator as Pocock, but his energy at the breakdown is a key reason why Pocock finds himself with so many turnover opportunities.
8. David Pocock (Australia)
To a man, the Australian back-row were sensational, but Pocock was unquestionably top dog. Four turnovers and many other occasions where he either won a penalty or just slowed down Argentinian ball. Sensational.
By Jamie Hosie
Follow Jamie on Twitter: @jhosie43
Only 1 Kiwi forward? How on earth have they got to the final with such a shite pack?
Perhaps it’s the collective, rather than the individual that really counts, i.e. a ‘star team’ rather than a ‘team of stars’?
Hmmm.
How have you managed to take this so personally? Not one person has said NZ have a crap pack.
However, individually, what member of the NZ pack do you think should be in there? Certainly none of the front row considering SA had the upper hand here, particularly during the first hour. Considering how well the Australia back row played – which NZ player do you feel was unjustly left out?
Well Jacob, obviously only the other 7 of course!
I’m just, again, ?ing the concept that’s all.
Just going to echo what Jacob (and you, to a lesser extent) said – individually, there were better performances than those of the kiwi forwards this weekend.
Jacob and Jamie. Don’t bother arguing. Unless you produce a ‘Team of the Semi-Finals’ with All Blacks in positions 1-15, Don will never be satisfied…
Spot on Pab. They don’t call you bullet for nothing do they?
As stated, querying the idea of a ‘Rugby World Cup 2015: Team of the Semi-Finals’ having that much relevance really.
Nervous much?
As a crocodile in a hand bag factory.
Sometimes even gives me tummy cramps!