Rugby World Cup XV: Quarter Finals

In what was perhaps the most enthralling set of quarter final fixtures in Rugby World Cup history, there were plenty of standouts and struggles as we may have to narrow it down, Ben Central brings you the best XV of this past weekend.

15. Beauden Barrett (New Zealand)

Beauden Barrett’s playmaking ability from fullback has been invaluable for his team and against Ireland he had so many deft touches that aided the All Blacks attack, not to mention he was safe under the high ball.

Damian Willemse was also prominent for the Springboks, but Barrett gets the nod.

Honourable mention: Damian Willemse (South Africa)

14. Emiliano Boffelli (Argentina)

There isn’t a lot of flash when it comes to Emiliano Boffelli, he’s just a brutally efficient player in everything he does, and it elevates Los Pumas. He was near flawless with the boot and was safe and secure under the high ball. A match winner for Argentina.

Kurt-Lee Arendse had some good moments on the right wing for South Africa while Damian Penaud put in a huge effort against the Springboks.

Honourable mention: Kurt-Lee Arendse (South Africa)

13. Jesse Kriel (South Africa)

There was high praise for a number of players throughout the match for the Springboks, but the unsung hero of that effort was Jesse Kriel who suffocated France defensively. His breakdown work was exemplary and that grubber kick for Cheslin Kolbe’s try was a thing of beauty.

Waisea Nayacalevu pushed hard for Fiji despite eventually losing out to England in the end.

Honourable mention: Waisea Nayacalevu (Fiji)

12. Bundee Aki (Ireland)

There hasn’t been a better player at this World Cup, Bundee Aki is in imperious form. Even as Ireland crashed out of the World Cup, he was as prominent as ever in the heart-breaking loss to New Zealand. He has been a defender’s nightmare throughout the tournament.

Damian de Allende had a superb game against France and is unlucky not to make the team.

Honourable mention: Damian de Allende (South Africa)

11. Cheslin Kolbe (South Africa)

When one watched Semi Radradra in the 3rd of the quarterfinals, it would have been hard to see any winger topping his performance after he thrived against England.

But Cheslin Kolbe had an even better game later in which he scored a well-taken try and charged down a conversion that was probably the difference between losing and winning. A great outing for the 30-year-old.

Honourable mention: Semi Radradra (Fiji)

10. Dan Biggar (Wales)

Much was expected of the flyhalves in the Saint-Denis quarterfinals, but none of them really had standout games. Instead, a man who played his last Test proved just how much he will be missed by Wales – Dan Biggar.

The 34-year-old bowed out of the competition as they lost to Argentina, but up until the moment he went off for Nick Tompkins, he was superb in marshaling Wales.

Honourable mention: Owen Farrell (England)

9. Antoine Dupont (France)

With every game Antoine Dupont plays, it becomes clearer that we are watching an all-time great in the French scrumhalf. He came back against South Africa after surgery and played like he hadn’t been injured. His kicking game, passing, and work around the fringes was phenomenal. It was heart breaking that he ended up on the losing side after that effort.

Aaron Smith is another of the great scrum-halves who had a superb game despite getting a yellow card. Jamison Gibson-Park also deserves a mention.

Honourable mention: Aaron Smith (New Zealand)

8. Ardie Savea (New Zealand)

The human wrecking ball – as fast as he is strong. Ardie Savea was colossal in the All Blacks victory over Ireland. He thrived on the carry and came up with big interventions on defence and at the breakdown in a titanic clash at Saint-Denis.

Caelan Doris and Viliame Mata thrived at 8 as well, but for his superb marshalling of the Bok defence and breakdown work, Duane Vermeulen gets the nod to deputise for Savea.

Honourable mention: Duane Vermeulen (South Africa)

7. Ben Earl (England)

A cheat selection that is a bit unfair on Sam Cane and Charles Ollivon as both thrived at openside flanker, but Ben Earl was simply too good to leave out.

The Saracen’s loose forward played like a man possessed using his pace and power to good effect as he carried England forward time and time again. He caused Fiji all sorts of problems.

Honourable mention: Sam Cane (New Zealand)

6. Marcos Kremer (Argentina)

Yet another player who has quite the engine on him. Marcos Kremer tackled himself to a standstill against Wales and was a momentum stopper on a number of occasions. It wasn’t only defensively where he thrived, his carries fractured the Welsh defence as well.

Courtney Lawes was largely influential albeit with some questionable refereeing in his favour. He played what was in front of him and did well.

Honourable mention: Courtney Lawes (England)

5. Tomas Lavanini (Argentina)

Tomas Lavanini was quietly effective on a day where not many gave them a chance, he operated with incredible efficiency at the lineout with Julian Montoya and was abrasive and strong on the carry. He is a fiery character and it came through in his play.

Franco Mostert had a huge defensive shift as South Africa repelled attack after attack from France.

Honourable mention: Franco Mostert (South Africa)

4. Eben Etzebeth (South Africa)

Another player gets a yellow card, but still have the game of his life. Despite messing up South Africa’s spotless discipline record, he was prominent on the carry-making metres at will as France struggled to deal with his physicality. He had a number of interventions in the air, on defence that pushed the Springboks to a narrow win.

Tadhg Beirne was brilliant for Ireland despite the loss, Isoa Nasilasila was excellent for Fiji.

Honourable mention: Tadhg Beirne (Ireland)

3. Frans Malherbe (South Africa)

“Bud Spencer’s” finest outing at this World Cup. In last week’s group stage XV, we alluded to the fact that Frans Malherbe hadn’t been at his best during this World Cup and he responded with a world-class outing putting Cyril Baille under pressure at the scrum and simply thriving around the park.

Uini Atonio was superb for France on the carry and scrummed well against Steven Kitshoff.

Honourable mention: Uini Atonio (France)

2. Peato Mauvaka (France)

Peato Mauvaka has been the best hooker at the World Cup and that is saying a lot for someone who came into the tournament as 2nd choice. The South Africans struggled to live with his physicality on Sunday as he carried with ferocity. His lineout work in tandem with Cameron Woki was good.

Julian Montoya who has had a below-par tournament stepped it up against Wales and inspired his troops to victory.

Honourable mention: Julian Montoya (Argentina)

1. Cyril Baille (France)

Cyril Baille scored 2 well-taken tries for France and like his fellow front rowers thrived on the carry. He didn’t have too much joy in the scrums, but he wasn’t overwhelmed by Malherbe. He had a very good game despite the loss.

Peni Ravai had a good impact off the bench for Fiji. Ellis Genge had some positives for England as well. Thomas Gallo was also prominent for Los Pumas

Honourable mention: Thomas Gallo (Argentina)

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