Rugby World Cup 2015 has seen a return to running rugby, with those who have been prepared to chance their arm generally rewarded.
The southern hemisphere sides affirmed their perceived dominance taking all four semi final spots for the first time in tournament history.
As such, they dominate my team of the tournament, but there is room for a few players from north of the equator.
With just one game to go in the tournament – the Rugby World Cup final between Australia and New Zealand – here is my team of the tournament so far.
1. Scott Sio (Australia)
Young and powerful, he dominated the English and Welsh scrums. Has shored up the previously vulnerable Wallabies scrum and is good around the park.
2. Augustin Creevy (Argentina)
The Pumas skipper was a vital part of a dominant scrum, solid at the lineout, and led the Pumas and non-loose forwards with 8 turnovers in the tournament.
3. Ramiro Herrera (Argentina)
On form he is the best tighthead in the world at the moment. He had the edge over New Zealand and dominated the Irish and Australian scrums. Herrera does a lot of the tough carries and is a strong runner with no regard for self preservation.
4. Alan Wyn Jones (Wales)
Jones is the king of the lineout and busy around the park. He is a nuisance at the breakdown and inspired an understrength Wales to the quarters.
5. Brodie Retallick (New Zealand)
Brodie is a big, powerful runner with silky ball skills. Dominant lineout jumper and aggressive defender who doesn’t miss much.
6. Thierry Dusautoir (France)
Did well to earn nine turnovers in a seemingly dysfunctional team. Almost as influential as David Pocock at the breakdown, especially in France’s pool matches.
7. Richie McCaw (New Zealand)
Still got it. His best work isn’t turnovers but the buisance he is all over the breakdown slowing ball. He showed his ball carrying skills have greatly improved.
8. David Pocock (Australia)
Pocock would be favourite for player of the tournament. Lead the way with turnovers and when he’s on the field had the most influence over the outcome of matches. Underrated work in attack controlling the Australian maul and carrying the ball.
9. Greg Laidlaw (Scotland)
Mr. Consistent. His goal-kicking was superb all tournament as was his general play kicking. He controls matches and comes up with big plays at big moments. Almost orchestrated a great upset over the Wallabies.
10. Nicolas Sanchez (Argentina)
Established himself as a world class 10. His kicking was superb, he was prepared to take on the line (with great success due to his great footwork), and topped Argentina’s tackle count. An outstanding contribution from the Pumas fly-half.
11. Julian Savea (New Zealand)
There was talk in the lead up to the tournament he was overweight and battling to make New Zealand’s starting line-up. Top try-scorer including a blockbusting hat-trick in the quarter has cemented him as the best winger in the world.
12. Matt Giteau (Australia)
Justified the ‘Giteau Clause’ with some outstanding performances. Adds a second ball playing option and a left foot kicker but more importantly great composure to a relatively inexperienced Australian side.
13. Jesse Kriel (South Africa)
The young gun topped the tournament for centres with nine clean breaks. Ran great lines in attack and was effective in defending the difficult 13 channel. Set for a bright future.
14. Adam Ashley-Cooper (Australia)
AAC has revelled in his role on the wing in the world cup. The best defensive outside back in world rugby, his contributions against Wales and through the finals made the difference between victory and defeat for the Wallabies.
15. Ayumu Goromaru (Japan)
He was very safe at the back, and picked his times well to inject into the Japanese attack. Averaged over 14 points per match for the Brave Blossoms.
Totals
Australia 4
New Zealand 3
Argentina 3
South Africa 1
Japan 1
Scotland 1
Wales 1
France 1
Honourable mentions
Rory Best (Ireland), Eben Etzebeth (South Africa), Scott Fardy (Australia), Michael Hooper (Australia), Schalk Burger (South Africa), Kieran Read (New Zealand), Juan Imhoff (Argentina), Ma’a Nonu (New Zealand), Ben Smith (New Zealand).
So there it is, the team of the tournament. Some tough choices but overall the dominance of the Southern Hemisphere sides sees them rewarded by dominating the side. Others suggestions also welcome below.
Sam Bright
Roar Rookie
What would yours be now Rah? Post final I'd bring in Milner Skudder for AAC, Nonu for Giteau. Dan Carter couldn't have done much more although Sanchez was excellent all tournament too so that's a toughie. The havoc Read and Retallick caused the Aussie lineout pushes Read but his injury meant he wasn't his usual self around the park, so over the whole tournament I still think Pocock just pips him. If it was for a world XV would probably have Read at 8, Pocock at 7 and McCaw at 6 but not based on their play and positions in the tournament. Ben Smith also goes close but the yellow card costs him so will stick with Goromaru as a sentimental favourite. If any Wallabies played their way in, Scott Fardy at 6 has been great all tournament as has Kepu, who had a good final in a losing team despite the penalties conceded the high tackles.
Phantom
Roar Rookie
Bismarck would make any bench
Phantom
Roar Rookie
I certainly believe that SA would beat Australia if SA played more often like they played against NZ
hopalong
Guest
There is a playing card game called "Spite & Malice" Judging from comments made in the last 24 hours,"the Roar" could use a name change. Bile & vitriol still being spewed by supporters of both teams. Not nice. And may we please not have comments made such as "This is an Ozzie" site. Whilst it remains the best of a sorry bunch.THE ROAR is part of the World Wide Web. Acknowledge that its provenance is Australian.Until 24 hours ago I also thought that it had the fairest and most knowledgeable posters.
barryoh
Guest
I tell you what fellas, I think SA have an awesome backline. If you get the right coach to work with I'll be very interested to see how they develop. A really interesting young 10-12-13 combination.
Harry Jones
Expert
Okay! Haha! Malherbe is out; Kepu is in. Australia was tougher for NZ to beat than SA was (Japan, Japan, Japan).
Harry Jones
Expert
Not B, no, nobody said anything offensive. I hope I didn't offend anyone by including three players of the team that gave NZ the toughest test and made it to the semifinals, even if they also lost to Japan. That's all.
Harry, this is all your fault, why did you have to put in and extra Saffa? Why? Of why?
Not bothered, this is the last I reply to any of your posts, because there is nom reaosning with you. South Africa has had a bad year, we all know that, hell the illiterate dog knows it, what does the rseult against Japan have to do with the result against Nz? Please I would love to understand that. Now, lets talk about the Japan result for once an all, yeah I get it, you love to rub our noses in it, yeah, yeah, get your fill, it was a bloody one off, bring them anohter 20 times and they won't win, because next time the Boks will be ready. Ok, get it, one off, like the one off that OZ lost to Samoa a few years back, like the one off when Scotland beat Oz in OZ a few years back. Get it, one off. A one off does not depict the quaiity of a team. But hey, if that is the only way you can try to win an argument, then there really isn't much point in debating with you is there. Japan, like a magic word trumps any other reasonable debatable point. Just say Japan, and that is all the proof you need to dismiss the Springboks. Just that.
Not Bothered
Guest
Harry. Did James say something offensive by mentioning Japan when discussing SA after you had raised SAs result against NZ? Did James say something wrong by questioning your logic to put SA higher than Aus like youve done the whole time despite Australia and SAs results? How dare anyone question you guys when you are telling everyone how deserving the SA team is. No, nobody said anything offensive. Just somebody questioned you when you tried to say SA players were more deserving than any other nations players other than NZ and you guys didnt like it. You never do.
Not Bothered
Guest
Biltong in all fairness a person is allowed to point out RESULTS that are valid argument in reply to a post from a SA that tries to put SA above his country that was in the final without you telling him not to JUST BECAUSE YOU DONT WANT TO HEAR IT. "Hey SA is 2nd best because of our result against NZ" "But what about Japan?" Biltong "Dont mention Japan" Well hey mate, you tell us what results we are allowed to discuss when talking about the WC. And no Im not making stuff up, in 2014 you daid he was the best 10 in the SH and Harry named him as the best in the world. I dont make stuff up thankyou. No, James questioned Harrys call that because SA ran NZ close they deserved more players in the tourney team than Aus who are #2 and made the final. He mentioned a result that happened in the WC and you told him not to. Can we move on from mentioning a result that happened in a WC when taljing about results that hapened in a WC? Hel1 no. Get over it.
Not Bothered
Guest
WTF? A person questions something and they are a what now? Are South Africans a protected species? Wow. And Scott, dont have an opinion or debate anything, according to you that makes you a tr0ll.
Harry Jones
Expert
Scott, one of the things I missed most in this RWC was an OZ v SA (green & gold v gold & green) barn burner. I have no idea how that might have gone; but I think it would've been close. The youth movement in SA is very strong. Very low cap count for SA compared to OZ/NZ in this RWC after the inevitable injuries to the veterans. So, I think 2016-2019 could be better for SA.
Sorry Scott, missed your comment. Possibly yes, the thing about SA is if we retain Meyer as our coach then we are doomed.
Harry Jones
Expert
BB, yes, it's like I said something so offensive! All I meabt was when the champs look back on their games, there was only one where the outcome was in doubt in the last minute. So then I picked 3 Boks of 23; the ones I thought exemplified the style that gave NZ and others the most trouble.
No Harry, no calm down, the same posters with the same fabrication of nonsense.
Not bothered, in all fairness, If one South African speaks, does he speak for all South Africans? Sorry, but it was all about South Africa? South Africans spoke about their team as Aussies spoke about their team and New Zealanders about theirs. What was all about SA? The fact that most of us were fedup with selections, conservative gameplans and inconsistent performances? Who said Pollard was the best 10 in the world? Sorry but you are just making up things as you go along. As for James, read his comments and tell me he is not fabricating s..t same as you?
Harry Jones
Expert
Calm down guys. Did SA give NZ their toughest game? I think that's all I said.
Rah
Guest
I'd like to see your team now the finals has been played. My own team would be loaded with Kiwis, Springboks; Aussies and one Scot. Pocock would make my bench. I just love Kefu's development and he will live off his two big tackles on fellow Kiwi Dan Carter in the finals for years to come. I don't usually embroil myself in these sorts of selections but I am interested in your selections now and whether your view has changed.
Not Bothered
Guest
Biltong, in all fairness, this is why I get annoyed too. Pre WC it was all about SA despite them coming last in the RC and having lost most of their last 10. SA should be ranked higher than Ire despite their recent record. Pollard was the best 10 in the world in 2014 despite him being dropped multiple times from yhe starting 15. Last night as soon as NZ won there was a South African declaring SA had been the best team for 100 years and NZ had to be the best for the next 100 to even draw level. The hissy fits thrown if you mention SA results, as if its not allowed. The attacks on world poty nominee(Hooper) from SA Roarers because he doesnt fit the highly predictable SA mold of what an openside is. And here is another example, SA deserves more players in the world team because it was near NZ on the scoreboard despite coming LAST in the RC, losing to Japan, losing to Aus etc. But oh James, dont question the SA! Dont you know its not allowed to question them or mention results when they are telling everybody how good they are? Can you not understand why that is annoying? Then you get sentimental Kiwis making excuses for SA. Oh please.