Rugby World Cup 2023 Team of the Week

The penultimate round of pool stage fixtures played out this past weekend and Bet Central has selected the Rugby World Cup Team of the Week.

15. Lomano Lemeko (Japan)

Lomano Lemeko was the best back in the game against Samoa gaining metres at will. The Japanese fullback produced a lot of chances running through defenders and linking up. He kept Samoa on the back foot.

Beauden Barrett and Ollie Smith were outstanding for the teams as well. 

Honourable mention: Beauden Barrett (New Zealand)

14. Darcy Graham (Scotland)

That Darcy Graham isn’t a regular starter for the Scotland side is testament to the quality of their incumbent wingers, because he is a quality finisher. The 26-year-old helped himself to 4 tries in Scotland’s demolition of Romania.

Selestino Ratuvaumada looked good out on the right wing for Fiji in their victory over a stubborn Georgian side.

Honourable mention: Selestino Ratuvaumada (Fiji)

13. Waisea Nayacalevu (Fiji)

In Ratuvaumada’s captain Waisea Nayacalevu, Fiji have arguably the best outside centre in the world. If not in the world, then certainly at the Rugby World Cup. Nayacalevu had another standout game in which he made metres at will and shut down the Georgians on defence.

Canan Moodie and Izaia Perese looked good in their games for the Springboks and Wallabies respectively. 

Honourable mention: Canan Moodie (South Africa)

12. Jordie Barrett (New Zealand)

Both All Blacks 1^st choice centres were converted from other positions, but it’s safe to say Jordie Barrett’s transition has gone much smoother than that of Rieko Ioane. Barrett is so effective because he can be both the playmaker and abrasive carrier with his skillset and size and that was on show against Italy.

Cameron Redpath showed what quality Scotland possesses at 12 outside of Sione Tuipulotu. 

Honourable mention: Cameron Redpath (Scotland)

11. Mark Telea (New Zealand)

When one looks at Mark Telea, he doesn’t look like much. But he is one of the hardest players to bring down. He doesn’t always score, but what he does for his team’s go-forward and momentum is incredible. He was outstanding again against Italy. 

Marika Koroibete had a good outing for the Wallabies. 

Honourable mention: Marika Koroibete (Australia)

10. Nicolas Sanchez (Argentina)

Nicolas Sanchez rolled back the years with this performance, he was an attacking threat throughout the game and kicked really well as Argentina put Chile to the sword. A fine 100^th Test for the veteran flyhalf. 

Richie Mo’unga, Handre Pollard and Ben Healy produced good showings as game managers.

Honourable mention: Richie Mo’unga (New Zealand)

9. Aaron Smith (New Zealand)

We are watching the end of a superb Test career at this World Cup as the curtain is about to fall on Aaron Smith’s international game. He showed again he is a supreme decision-maker and reader of the game in a performance for the ages against Italy in which he scored a hat trick of tries.

Cobus Reinach looked good again for the Springboks and used his speed to good effect.

Honourable mention: Cobus Reinach (South Africa)

8. Ardie Savea (New Zealand)

The All Blacks best player of the last couple of years. He was outstanding against Italy, he carried strongly and made 100m across the board. He was good on defence albeit against a toothless Italian side. 

Kazuki Himeno played a starring role for Japan in their win. 

Honourable mention: Kazuki Himeno (Japan)

7. Levani Botia (Fiji)

One of the best forwards in this World Cup thus far. Levani Botia is unstoppable at the moment. A breakdown presence, but also a relentless ball carrier and defender. He is crucial if Fiji are to go deep in the playoffs. 

Fraser McReight was brilliant against Portugal and has grown into the openside role. 

Honourable mention: Fraser McReight (Australia)

6. Michael Leitch (Japan)

In all likelihood, this will be Michael Leitch’s last World Cup and he can look back on it with fondness, particularly his performance of high industry against Samoa. An icon of Japanese rugby who was the best at 6 this week.

Shannon Frizell looked good against Italy and will use this game to build on his confidence going into the knockouts.

Honourable mention: Shannon Frizell (New Zealand)

5. Theo McFarland (Samoa)

Theo McFarland’s athletic gifts are out of this world and what he gives Samoa is unreal. He is like an extra with the hard graft of a tight 5 forward. The Saracens man is a player Samoa can build around.

Marvin Orie operated the Springboks lineout with incredible efficiency against Tonga and is our backup man. 

Honourable mention: Marvin Orie (South Africa)

4. Sam Skinner (Scotland)

Sam Skinner played out of his skin, no pun intended. The Scottish 2^nd rower had a superb game against a hapless Romanian side. He was a master at the lineout. 

Brodie Rettalick was also very good in destroying Italy’s lineout and had a game which reminded us of the All Blacks great’s peak.

Honourable mention: Brodie Rettalick (New Zealand)

3. Ben Taumeifuna (Tonga)

Big Ben Taumeifuna showed up in a big way against the Springboks and was rewarded with a try for his efforts. At times he got the better of Ox Nche and used all 150kgs to good effect on the carry. 

Fiji’s Luke Tagi is yet another Fijian having an excellent World Cup in the pool stages.

Honourable mention: Luke Tagi (Fiji)

2. Deon Fourie (South Africa)

Deon Fourie’s 1^st start at hooker in the Springboks jersey and he was outstanding. He was a menace in the tight-loose and he found his jumpers with incredible accuracy. The coaches will be pleased with his outing as backup to Bongi Mbonambi. 

Like Sanchez, Agustin Creevy produced a classic performance where he rolled back the years and he was outstanding. 

Honourable mention: Agustin Creevy (Argentina)

1. Eroni Mawi (Fiji)

There wasn’t any real standout at loosehead prop this past weekend. But Eroni Mawi produced a good performance in their game against Georgia. He held his own against Beka Gigashvili who is a renowned scrummager.

Ox Nche also looked good for the Springboks

Honourable mention: Ox Nche (South Africa)