As we reflect on the greatest World Cup of all time, we take the chance to pick our dream team. This is not necessarily the players that have performed the best at this tournament, but it is the team that has impressed the most.
Let's start by looking at the front row:
Front Row: Marcos Ayerza, Agustin Creevy and Ramiro Herrera
Yes, we've gone for an all-Argentine front row to kick us off, simply because these boys beat everyone in their path, apart from the Springboks in the dead rubber. Creevy in particular really impressed, but all 3 did the grunt work to allow the brilliant backs to flourish. They may not get all the credit, but they were just as influential in leading Argentina to 4th place as the likes of Sanches, Imhoff and Cordero. On the bench we've gone for Coles, Sio and Kepu, all 3 impressing as well. The wannabe centre Coles never faltered and his consistency at the lineout is all you can want from a hooker, whilst Sio and Kepu became very influential for Australia, and despite a shaky start for the scrum, Kepu was consistently great throughout the tournament, and was unlucky to miss out on the starting spot.
Second Row: Brodie Retallick and Lood de Jager
These guys, along with their compatriots Whitelock and Etzebeth, really impressed this World Cup. Their consistently brilliant work rate, making tackles and hitting rucks, and their rather athletic ability considering their height made all four of them dangerous throughout the tournament. Both have shone with their ability to carry the ball too, and both have incredibly bright futures ahead of them. On the bench we went with Iain Henderson, who impresses at both lock and flanker. Another young, athletic, dynamic second row that really showed he could be the future of Irish rugby.
Back Row: Mamuka Gorgodze, David Pocock and Amanaki Mafi
In our back row we have Gorgodwe at 6, Pocock at 7 and Mafi at 8, just to fit them all in. Gorgodze was an absolute machine for Georgia as usual, he lead them to a famous win against Tonga whilst also winning the MOTM award in the match against New Zealand. It could be said that no man had a bigger influence on his team and his performances for Georgia helped showcase just how much of a talent he really is, Parisse-esqu throughout Georgia's stay in the tournament. Pocock was robbed of his Player of the Year award, the guy has been quite clearly the best player in the world all year, and he proved it once again with his monstrous performances for Australia. Turning the ball over at every opportunity, making big tackles and scoring 3 tries throughout the campaign, it is safe to say David Pocock deserves his spot in this team. At number 8 we have plumped for Mafii, who helped led Japan through their most memorable campaign ever, and won the hearts of rugby fans all over the world. Due to some unfortunate scheduling Japan couldn't make it through to the quarter-finals, given just 4 days rest before their big clash against Scotland, but this guy gave it everything he had and then some. Players unfortunate to miss out in the back row include Burger, Fardy, and the big man McCaw. The latter would have made it in if sentiment had any place here, but it does not. He did play well, he is a legend of the game, but he did not impress as much as the other three, or even the man I've selected on the bench, yet another number 8, Louis Picamoles. Being English and living in France, I got to experience to horribly underwhelming and disappointing World Cup campaigns in one year, joy, but one of the saving graces for France was the new Northampton Saints back rower Louis Picamoles, who howed that he truly is one of the best 8s in the world, and can perforl when the rest of his side struggles. One other quick note in the same regard is that Thierry Dusautoir always performs well, and I'm not sure there is a better big-game player out there, always performing for his side when they need him most.
Half-Backs: Aaron Smith and Dan Biggar
With nobody really shining at 9, we went for the World Cup winner. Notable mentions go to the young Georgian, Vasil Lobzhanidze, who played at just 18 years of age, and Gareth Davies, who shone for Wales against England, albeit on the wing. At fly-half however there were plenty of players to choose from. Maybe Bernanrd Foley? Stunning against England, but appalling against Scotland, and that inconsistency rules him out. Perhaps player of the year Dan Carter? No, a good World Cup and a great final, but there was someone better. Dan Biggar shone in every game he played, kicking Wales to victory against the English and controlling every game he played in, making brilliant decisions and beautiful kicks from hand and off of the tea. Who is Leigh Halfpenny again? Biggar stepped up magnificently and stamped his authority on every game he played in.
Centres: Ma'a Nonu and Mark Bennett
Ma'a Nonu showed everyone that after 100 caps he still has it. His ball carrying was awesome, beating defenders left, right and centre and giving a marvellous all-round performance throughout the tournament. Juan-Martin Hernandez pushed him close, but Nonu was errorless throughout the Cup and earns his place in this side with faultless display after faultless display. Outside him many would expect to see teammate Conrad Smith, but Mark Bennett really shone throughout this tournament for the Scots, and was crucial in getting them to the quarter-finals and he almost helped them progress even further. He didn't have teammate Alex Dunbar to help him out like he did in the 6 Nations, but Bennett used that as an opportunity to shoow just how good he can be, and stepped up to the plate brilliantly.
Back 3: Julian Savea, DTH Van der Merwe and Ayumu Goromaru
Before the tournament I had a sneaking suspicion that Savea would be in this side, however the other two really used this tournament to propel themselves into the limelight. Van der Merwe has played well over the past couple of years, but he stepped his game up to another level at this year's World Cup, with scintillating play with ball in hand and a majestic try too. He edges out Milner-Skudder, who we knew would have a big impact this tournament (we highlighted him as one of our players to watch at the tournament here), but against the South Africans he was weak under the high ball, and whilst being his usual thrilling self, he didn't step his game up as much as DTH VDM, or even the mighty Savea. Julian Savea caused such destruction and such excitement everytime he touched the ball. He Lomu'd all over France and Scott Spedding, scoring a try that will live long in the memory, much like the great one's against England has. He used this tournament to say to the world that he is ready to start his claim to being one of the best wingers we have ever seen. He truly has it all. However, he does lack the boot of our final player, Goromaru, who was so vital for Japan. His ability with ball in hand and off the boot surprised the whole world, none more so than the South Africans. He is already a Japanese rugby legend after this tournament and has provided us rugby fans with moments we will never forget. Who knows, if rugby becomes a big sport in Japan, this man could well be considered the father of that movement that year, along with our coach of the tournament...
Coach of the tournament: Eddie Jones
So, to sum it all up:
1. Marcos Ayerza 2. Agustin Creevy 3. Ramiro Herrera
4. Brodie Retallick 5. Lood de Jager
6. Mamuka Gorgodze 7. David Pocock
8. Amanaki Mafi
9. Aaron Smith
10. Dan Biggar
12. Ma'a Nonu
13. Mark Bennett
11. Julian Savea 14. DTH Van Der Merwe
15. Ayumu Goromaru
16. Dane Coles
17. Sott Sio
18. Sekope Kepu
19. Iain Henderson
20. Louis Picamoles
21. Gareth Davies
22. Dan Carter
23. Ben Smith
We're certain you disagree with our team, let us know who you would have in your team either in the comments, on Facebook, or on Twitter @FourBallsBlog
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