15. Simon Zebo (Ireland)
Came within millimetres of getting a score of his own, but it mattered little – he set up three and was a constant source of irritation for the Romanians.
14. DTH van de Merwe (Canada)
If you’ve not seen his try against Italy, I urge you to do so immediately, because it will be one of the best we see all tournament. DTH is a brilliantly old school winger, all rolled-down-socks and bustling work-rate.
13. Mark Bennett (Scotland)
Bennett is threatening to be one of the real stars of this World Cup – he was brilliant against both Japan and USA, proving too much for either defence to handle with his quick feet and devastating acceleration.
12. Ciaran Hearn (Canada)
The Canadians played some utterly brilliant rugby against Italy in Leeds on Saturday, and Hearn was at the heart of everything their backs did well. He’s been moved in a shirt, but in the wide channels he was a constant nuisance that the Italians more often than not could not handle.
11. JP Pietersen (South Africa)
You can’t really argue with a hattrick, and while none of them were especially tough finishes he did make an excellent read for the intercept try that set the ball rolling.
10. Dan Biggar (Wales)
Even now, it is safe to say that this will be one of THE performances of the World Cup. Kicked everything from the tee, was pinpoint out of hand and imperious in the air.
9. Fourie du Preez (South Africa)
The Springboks really do look a different team with him at the helm. His service is snappy and, while he doesn’t make too many eye-catching breaks, there is a more subtle creativity to his game in the runners he picks out with his passes (i.e. not just the first man).
1. Scott Sio (Australia)
The Uruguayans didn’t provide the sternest examination, but his scrummaging remained relentlessly powerful despite emptying the tank only a few days previously against Fiji. Next up, England…
2. Leonardo Ghiraldini (Italy)
Italy’s win over Canada wasn’t pretty, but it had its foundations in a solid set piece – something the Leicester hooker was vital for at both lineout and scrum.
3. WP Nel (Scotland)
Scotland trailed 6-13 at half-time against the USA, but ended up winning 39-16. While the backs stole the headlines it was Nel, a half-time replacement, who was the catalyst for change, providing greater stability at the set-piece and an astonishing work rate in the loose given he had played four days previously.
4. Eben Etzebeth (South Africa)
One of the Samoans tried to pick a fight against Etzebeth on Saturday, which ranks somewhere in the realms of drinking bleach in terms of danger to ones own health. That aside, the giant second row showed again that he is about more than just brawn with some delightfully nuanced touches.
5. Alun Wyn Jones (Wales)
The argument has been made that Wales simply ‘wanted it more’ than England on Saturday and while that is categorically not true (see Mike Brown’s post match interview for proof) there are few that live their passion quite like Jones. He was titanic at Twickenham, at the heart of everything Wales did well.
6. Ben McCalman (Australia)
OK, so it was against Uruguay, but you’ve still got to get the job done and McCalman was comfortably the best player on the pitch. Smashed everything in front of him, often creating space for others.
7. Sam Warburton (Wales)
Warburton’s performance divided opinions on Saturday, but there’s little doubt that Wales won the breakdown battle because they were smarter to how it was being refereed – for that, along with his leadership, Warburton must take credit.
8. Josh Strauss (Scotland)
Scotland’t newest recruit started slowly but roared into the game in the second half against the USA, showing a huge work-rate in defence and some subtle hands in attack – one fine offload that set the ball (literally) in motion for Visser’s try particularly sticks in the mind.
By Jamie Hosie
Follow Jamie on Twitter: @jhosie43
Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images
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i think the team of the week must be the whole of the welsh squad , to play like they did under such adversity was incredible , England hammering us in all aspects of the game , bodies laying everywhere , players completely out of position and then to nick the game ! incredible pressure ,incredible resolve !!
Wales did well to come through that arm wrestle while losing players all over the park, but you’d be awfully one-eyed to ignore the outstanding performances DTH, Nel, Etzebeth, Zeno, McCalman etc.