Alex Shaw's RWC 2019: XV of the tournament
The 2019 Rugby World Cup has been a triumph for World Rugby and the people of Japan, and we have put together our XV of the tournament from an exhilarating month and a half of rugby.
South Africa lifted their 3rd title and are understandably well-represented, as are losing finalists England, who had looked like the form team in the competition prior to being handed a lesson in knockout rugby by the Springboks in Yokohama.
Hosts Japan and fellow tier two nation Fiji are also among those who feature in this selection, as tier one’s stranglehold on the knockout rounds was relinquished thanks to the Brave Blossoms’ inspiring wins over Scotland and Ireland. Take a look at the XV below.
- Beauden Barrett, New Zealand
People were understandably sceptical when Barrett was moved to full-back so close to the Rugby World Cup, although Steve Hansen was rewarded with a number of standout displays from the former fly-half. You could have tossed a coin between him and Wales’ Liam Williams, whilst Ryohei Yamanaka also had his moments, but it was the New Zealander who got our vote. It will be interesting to see how the All Blacks use Barrett moving forward, particularly when Damian McKenzie returns to fitness.
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Watch: Sam Underhill tells the media what was in the Duke of Sussex’s good luck box that he sent to England
- Kotaro Matsushima, Japan
Honourable mentions here for Anthony Watson and Cheslin Kolbe, but we’ve gone for one of the genuine x-factor players in the hosts’ side. Matsushima lit up the pool stage from day one against Russia and was the perfect threat on the outside to make the most of Japan’s high tempo and desire to play with width. At just 26 years of age, he should be an integral member of the team over the next cycle and at the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
- Semi Radradra, Fiji
The Fijian was a silver lining in a tournament that didn’t quite go to plan for the islanders, as they fell to defeat to Australia, Wales and even Uruguay, in what was one of the more memorable games over the last month and a half. Radradra’s attacking impact was felt by every team he went up against and there was little they could do to contain it. That was enough to keep him out in front of Manu Tuilagi, Lukhanyo Am and Timothy Lafaele.
- Owen Farrell, England
After a relatively slow start to the tournament against Tonga and the USA, Farrell came into his own in the higher-pressure games against Argentina, Australia and New Zealand. Even against South Africa, when England struggled as a team, he was still executing and making the right decisions, despite being given very little from his half-backs. Jones, or potentially Jones’ successor in a couple of years’ time, needs to make a call on whether he is the team’s fly-half or inside centre, but either way he is front and centre of their development towards the 2023 Rugby World Cup. Australia’s Samu Kerevi and South Africa’s Damian de Allende were also influential.
https://twitter.com/RugbyPass/status/1190618758013845505?s=20
- Josh Adams, Wales
There are plenty of reasons this spot could go to Jonny May, Makazole Mapimpi or Kenki Fukuoka, but tries win matches and no one scored more tries than Adams. Outside of a horror first 30 minutes against Fiji, the Welsh wing was in excellent form throughout the tournament and has cemented himself into Wayne Pivac’s back three moving forward. Having previously been discarded by the regions and rebuilt his career at Worcester Warriors in England, Adams is a great example for late developers in the game and for them not to give up on their dreams.
- Handré Pollard, South Africa
One of a few contests that came down to the final and the players’ performances in it. Both Pollard and George Ford had good tournaments, though it was the Springbok’s clinical play in the final that edged him ahead of the Leicester Tiger, who struggled to influence the game positively. Pollard didn’t set the tournament alight with expansive play, but he did execute South Africa’s strategy efficiently. One other player worthy of mention is Japan’s Yu Tamura.
https://twitter.com/RugbyPass/status/1190583393878237184?s=20
- Aaron Smith, New Zealand
Faf de Klerk’s execution of South Africa’s game plan was impressive, as was Ben Youngs’ of England outside of the final, but it was Smith who turned the clock back two or three years in Japan. It was a relatively disappointing tournament for the All Blacks, though Smith’s control, tempo and incision from half-back was close to somewhere near his very best. He was ruthless in the pool and in New Zealand’s quarter-final win over Ireland.
- Tendai Mtawarira, South Africa
This spot was Keita Inagaki’s right up until the final, but there was no denying Mtawarira after the masterclass of scrummaging that he put on in that game. Whilst scrummaging alone is rarely a decisive factor in matches these days, the final definitely bucked that trend and were it not for that early foothold in the game, who knows how the game might have played out. A word, too, for Mako Vunipola, who fought his way back from injury to add plenty in the previous knockout rounds, but this was always a two-horse race between the Beast and Inagaki.
- Mbongeni Mbonambi, South Africa
Another close one, with England’s Jamie George having helped set the bar alongside the South African, a bar which Japan’s Shota Horie also buzzed around. The Springbok was ultra-consistent at the lineout, though, and gave his team the set-piece foundation that they needed to make it all the way to the final and lift the cup. To keep the gargantuan Malcolm Marx on the bench is an extremely impressive feat in itself, too.
- Kyle Sinckler, England
It was a cruel way for Sinckler’s tournament to end, as he left the Yokohama pitch after just two minutes, having seemingly lost consciousness in a tackle. That disappointment aside, though, he was the pick of tighthead props at the tournament. His influence in the loose was colossal at times and his scrummaging, once an area of criticism, improved to the point he was able to achieve parity and even put the New Zealand and Australian scrums under pressure. A word for Frans Malherbe and Tadhg Furlong, too, but it was Sinckler at a canter.
- Maro Itoje, England
Arguably England’s most impressive performer through the group stage, quarter-finals and semi-finals, Itoje didn’t have the final he would have hoped to, but his influence on England’s overall campaign goes beyond question. He has become one of, if not the most potent defensive player on the planet, thanks to his physical tackling, breakdown expertise and ability to disrupt opposition lineouts. James Ryan held up well in a disappointing tournament for Ireland, whilst winning finalist Eben Etzebeth also deserves praise.
- Alun Wyn Jones, Wales
Not just a romantic pick, Jones was a tone-setter and the heartbeat of the Welsh pack in their trip to the 3rd/4th playoff game. It was a game too far for Wales, though their inspirational captain had a strong tournament overall, just nudging him ahead of the likes of Lood de Jager, James Moore and Courtney Lawes. This is almost certainly Jones’ last Rugby World Cup and the veteran lock’s contribution to Welsh rugby will never be able to be overstated.
- Pieter-Steph du Toit, South Africa
After a few years of traditional blindside flankers seeming to go out of vogue in international rugby, there was a lovely riposte from the position at this year’s tournament. We have du Toit leading the way and the Stormer is a strong candidate to lift the World Rugby Player of the Year award, although Tom Curry, Aaron Wainwright and Kazuki Himeno were all also in the mix. The precision and physicality of du Toit was too much to ignore, however, and, excitingly, all four should be back in 2023.
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- Sam Underhill, England
Siya Kolisi lifting the Webb Ellis Cup will be the iconic image of this Rugby World Cup and whilst the flanker was superb, we had Underhill just pipping him, based on individual performances. Wales’ Justin Tipuric came close, though it was Underhill’s brutish tackling, strength over the ball and unrelenting chase and support work which set him apart this year. He and Curry, England’s Kamikaze Twins, now need to build on their early success and consolidate.
- Duane Vermeulen, South Africa
Like Aaron Smith, Vermeulen was resurgent at this year’s tournament and if this is his final farewell to international rugby, he couldn’t have dreamed of going out on a bigger high than this. He was a leader, defensive communicator, lineout option and consistent source of gain-line success in attack for the Springboks and he was as vital to their title as anyone. Japan’s Michael Leitch was also impressive, as was Kieran Read, in his All Blacks swansong.
Watch: Siya Kolisi speaking to the media before his team would go on to win the Rugby World Cup
Comments on RugbyPass
Super rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
7 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
9 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
7 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
22 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
9 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
14 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
14 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
14 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
5 Go to commentsHe seems to have the same aura as Marcus Smith - by which I mean he’s consistently judged as if he’s several years younger than he actually is. Mngomezulu has played 24 times for the Stormers. When Pollard was his age he had played 24 times for South Africa! He has more time to develop, but he has also had time to do some developing already, and he hasn’t demonstrated nearly as much talent in that time as one would expect. If he is a generational talent, then it must be a pretty poor generation.
6 Go to commentsThe greatest Springbok coach of all time is entirely on the money. Rassie and Jacques have given the south african public a great few years, but the success of the springbok selection policy will need to be judged in light of what comes next. The poor condition that the provincial system is currently in doesn’t bode well for the next few years of international rugby, and the insane 2026 schedule that the Boks have lined up could also really harm both provincial and international consistency.
22 Go to commentsJake White is a brilliant coach and a master in the press. This is another masterclass in media relations and PR but its also a very narrow view with arguments that dont always hold water. White wants his team to win, he wants the best players in SA and wants his team competitive. You however have to face up to the reality of a poor exchange rate and big clubs with big budgets. SA Rugby cant compete and unless it can find more money SA players will keep leaving regardless of Springbok eligibility and this happened in 2015 - 2017. Also rugby is not cricket. Cricket has 3 formats and T20 cricket is where the money is at. When it comes to club vs country the IPL is king but that wont happen because the international calendar does not clash with the club calendar in rugby. So the argument about rugby going down the same path as cricket is really a non-starter
22 Go to commentsNZ rugby seem not to have learnt anything from professional rugby. Super rugby was dying and SA left before they died with the competition. SA rugby did a u turn on their approach to international players playing overseas and such players are now selected for Bok teams. As much as each country would love to retain their players playing in local competitions, this is the way the world is evolving my friends. Move with it or stay 20 years behind the times. One more thing. NZ rugby hierarchy think they are the big cheese. Take a more humble approach guys. You do not seem to have your players best interests at heart.
7 Go to comments