Irish eyes are smiling as stars from the Emerald Isle lead the way in our World XV of the July internationals, writes Quintin van Jaarsveld.
Six of the key figures who helped propel Ireland to a historic 2-1 series win over the All Blacks in New Zealand headline our team of the mid-year Test window.
A trio of Springboks earned selection for the prominent roles they played in the world champions’ 2-1 series triumph over Wales as did three English aces who helped seal a 2-1 series win of their own Down Under.
Rounding out the team are a New Zealander, a Welshman and an Argentinian, the latter ensuring a pulsating 2-1 series win for the Pumas over Scotland.
15: Damian Willemse (South Africa)
A triple threat who took the next step in his international career. Covered the Springbok backline bases brilliantly, seamlessly shifting from fullback to centre to first receiver. The world champions’ match-winner with his icy cool penalty goal at the death in Pretoria and one of the stars of the series-clinching triumph in Cape Town.
14: Jack Nowell (England)
A bloodhound forever on the hunt. Worked his tail off chasing and winning back high balls with his speed and aerial agility. Similarly, he went above and beyond to make crucial defensive plays and had to look for opportunities on attack. Combined particularly well with Owen Farrell, running onto the veteran’s dinks to leave the Wallabies scrambling.
13: Robbie Henshaw (Ireland)
One of the unsung heroes of Ireland’s ground-breaking series success in New Zealand and surge to the top of the world rankings. A double-edged sword, Henshaw did the deal at inside and outside centre. An understated class act on attack and a stone wall on defence.
12: Owen Farrell (England)
Both parts brains and brawn. Not the most-liked man outside of England but there’s no denying the pivotal role he plays in the Red Rose ranks. His rugby IQ, accurate goal-kicking and experience were instrumental in England’s hard-fought series win. Most importantly, the ex-skipper stepped up to turn the tide with a commanding performance in the second Test.
11: Emiliano Boffelli (Argentina)
The multi-skilled outside back was at the heart of everything good for the Pumas. Kept the scoreboard ticking over with his goal-kicking, constantly injected himself into the action across the park, which saw him ship a couple of crucial try-assists, and was the last-gasp hero with his injury-time try to snatch the series spoils in Santiago del Estero.
10: Johnny Sexton (Ireland)
The ultimate general. As impressive as Ireland were collectively, they wouldn’t have been able to make history without their talismanic No 10. The way Ireland fell apart as soon as he staggered off in the series-opener in Auckland and then marched to immortality with Sexton back in the saddle in the remaining Tests highlighted his Tom Brady-like impact on the green machine. Reached another personal milestone as he became just the eighth player to score over 1,000 points in Test rugby.
9: Jamison Gibson-Park (Ireland)
The New Zealand-born Ireland ace stuck it to the All Blacks. At the top of his game, his fantastic form underscored that he’s blossomed into one of the best scrumhalves in the world. Along with Sexton an excellent driver of the No 1-ranked team in the world, equally adept at playing percentage rugby and funnelling fluid phase play.
8: Ardie Savea (New Zealand)
A shining light for the embattled All Blacks. Stormed out of the gate at Eden Park, making 17 tackles, 61 metres and bagging a brace, the second of those tries being a showcase of his renowned explosiveness. A standout in the Wellington decider as well after Ian Foster’s faux pas of sacrificing his star No 8 after Angus Ta’avao’s red card in the second clash.
7: Tommy Reffell (Wales)
The revelation of Wales’ South African safari. Took to Test rugby like a duck to water, making a massive splash in his debut in Pretoria and going from strength to strength in Bloemfontein and Cape Town. Feasted at the breakdown like a hungry hyena, masterly picking off the Springboks’ ball, covered oceans of space and was rewarded for his supercharged efforts with a top-class maiden Test try in the series decider.
6: Peter O’Mahony (Ireland)
The veteran epitomised the warrior spirit that powered Ireland to their greatest-ever series triumph. His attitude, physicality, work rate and unmatched determination to achieve the impossible were the stuff of legend and the moment the hard man broke down in tears when he knew the mission had been accomplished will live on as one of the most moving in Irish rugby history. Plus, he threw in a 50:22 and one of the great chirps of the modern era to Sam Cane.
5: Tadhg Beirne (Ireland)
Nothing short of legendary. A mobile, skillful, all-action skyscraper who stamped his authority on every aspect of play. A pillar of strength in the lineouts and mauls, a key cog in the structured attack and made double-digit tackles per game. Most impressively, though, he was a towering terror at the breakdown, where his brilliance saw him produce an iconic performance in the series decider. Plays in the No 4 jersey but we had to include him and…
4: Eben Etzebeth (South Africa)
If you could create the perfect embodiment of a Springbok from the ground up it would look like Etzebeth – an all-conquering giant seemingly carved out of granite. The only Bok who started in all three Tests against Wales, he was a dominant force on both sides of the ball, decoded the Dragons’ lineout and produced a monstrous Man of the Match performance in his 100th Test to power South Africa to a series-sealing win in Cape Town.
3: Will Stuart (England)
Took full advantage of his rare starting opportunities in the absence of the injured Kyle Sinclair. More than held his own at scrum time and made a big impression in open play. Deceptively deft hands for a 132kg behemoth, creating holes for faster teammates rather than predictably taking contact like most props.
2: Malcolm Marx (South Africa)
The Welsh will have recurring nightmares about Marx, who established himself as the most explosive member of the Springboks’ feared “Bomb Squad.” A game-changer of the highest calibre, he was prolific in every department and provided an added boost with his pilfering prowess. Former Wales centre Scott Gibbs paid Marx the ultimate compliment when he said he gave South Africa an “unfair” advantage ahead of the series decider.
1: Andrew Porter (Ireland)
Worth his weight in gold. A consistent and colossal all-around contributor throughout the series but produced arguably his best performance in an Irish jersey in the second Test in Dunedin, where he crashed over for a brace of tries, spearheaded the scrum and tackled his heart out in the historic victory.
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