15. Ayuma Goromaru (Japan)
Another week, another inspirational performance from Japan’s leading light. The tournament will be much the poorer for his absence.

14. Nehe Milner-Skudder (New Zealand)
New Zealand were far from their flowing best against Tonga, but Milner-Skudder continued to add to his burgeoning reputation with a handful of dangerous darts and crossed for a brace for good measure too.

13. Henry Slade (England)
Showed England what they had been missing in midfield for the rest of the tournament, with a consummate display that showcased his almost unparalleled distribution skills. Chipped in (literally) with a smartly taken, fly-hacked try.

12. Robbie Henshaw (Ireland)
A pillar of physicality in the Irish midfield, shackling the potentially dangerous duo of Fofana and Bastareaud. Also showed the silkier side to his game with a glorious break, leaving the latter for dead.

11. Adam Ashley-Cooper (Australia)
While there were no tries at Twickenham – usually a pre-requisite for a good performance from a winger – Australia’s rearguard defensive action will live long in the memory, and Ashley-Cooper was instrumental to it, often popping up in midfield to smash the Welsh runners and snuff out any momentum.

10. Ian Madigan (Ireland)
One of the few quiet moments in the Millennium Stadium on Sunday evening came when Johnny Sexton went off injured. The worry amongst Irish fans was palpable – but in the end, completely redundant. Madigan came on and gave the performance of his life, looking every bit the man in control as he guided his team around the pitch.

9. Greig Laidlaw (Scotland)
Wasn’t awarded the official man of the match award, but certainly should have been. Directed his team around the park with aplomb, playing to their strengths and avoiding their weaknesses, while also kicking accurately from the tee and darting over for the game’s decisive try. Probably his best performance as Scotland captain.

1. Alasdair Dickinson (Scotland)
Scotland ultimately won the game in the tight against Samoa, and Dickinson managed to contribute positively to both the scrum and the fringe defence, finishing with 10 tackles. Along with Nel, he has transformed the Scottish scrum into a very solid unit indeed.

2. Julián Montoya (Argentina)
Argentina’s game against Namibia was a relentlessly open one, and that suited Montoya just fine. The bustling hooker got about the park superbly, crossing for a try and generally carrying well.

3. Willem Nel (Scotland)
Nel has been one of Scotland’s most valuable assets this World Cup, and as the Samoans unleashed their organised chaos in the wide channels on Saturday, his calm head and good technique in the tight exchanges were a key factor in getting his side over the line.

4. Kane Douglas (Australia)
After an indifferent season in Dublin, Leinster fans will be wondering who this imposter is exactly. Douglas was immense again against Wales, getting through a mountain of work in defence to finish his side’s top tackler with 15.

5. Luke Charteris (Wales)
There wasn’t a great deal for Wales to shout about at Twickenham, but Charteris’ performance was at least small consolation. He was typically towering at the line-out, and also superbly physical in the tight exchanges, breaking up Australian mauls.

6. Scott Fardy (Australia)
Stepped out of the shadow of ‘Pooper’ to remind everyone that there is in fact a third member of this Australian back-row. Relentlessly physical in the tight, and weighed in with some crucial turnovers also.

7. Sean O’Brien (Ireland)
A very lucky boy to remain on the pitch after punching Pascal Papé early doors, but boy did he put in a shift after escaping punishment. The physicality of the Irish pack was way too much for France, and O’Brien was always found at the heart of it.

8. Alafoti Faosiliva (Samoa)
Bath fans know all about how dangerous this man can be in broken play, and now Scotland fans do too. A former stalwart of the sevens circuit (as Scott Hastings reminded us every time he touched the ball), Faosiliva was at the heart of many of the frequent Samoan break-outs.

By Jamie Hosie
Follow Jamie on Twitter: @jhosie43

Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images