Rugby World Cup 2015: Team of the Quarter-Finals

15. Joaquín Tuculet (Argentina)
One third of the immensely dangerous Argentinian back three that is rapidly becoming one of the most respected in the world as a unit. Ran everything back with interest, and finished his try very well indeed.

14. Juan Imhoff (Argentina)
A brace of tries for the deadly Argentinian winger, who benefitted greatly from his side’s ambition with ball in hand. His second finish was utterly sublime, slaloming his way through several would-be Irish tacklers.

13. Tevita Kuridrani (Australia)
Realistically, this was far from a vintage Australia performance, but Kuridrani was a shining light in the backline, his early brushing-off of Tommy Seymour and subsequent pass for Ashley-Cooper’s try setting the tone for a strong performance.

12. Ma’a Nonu (New Zealand)
The only negative from Nonu’s performance was that his stunning 60 metre break in the last few minutes didn’t result in a well deserved try, after he knocked on over the line. Other than that, he was brilliant – running hard lines and offloading well.

11. Julian Savea (New Zealand)
A hattrick of tries, each one showcasing a different Savea quality: timing of the support run, pure power, and devastating pace. Comparisons with Lomu are fraught with problems, but certainly there is no better finisher on the planet right now.

10. Dan Carter (New Zealand)
This was Carter rolling back the years to his prime. Took on the defence, made half breaks, offloaded to his support runners and generally ran the game with authority. The complete fly-half performance.

9. Fourie du Preez (South Africa)
Allegedly the man that devised the move that won the Springboks the game against Wales. For that, allied with its flawless execution and finish, he takes this spot ahead of Greig Laidlaw, who almost inspired Scotland to one of the most famous wins in their history.

1. Marcos Ayerza (Argentina)
On a relatively quiet weekend for those bearing the number one on their backs, Ayerza went about his business with typical ferocity, completing nine tackles without missing any and shoring up the scrum.

2. Agustín Creevy (Argentina)
Sonny Bill Creevy was at his best in Cardiff on Saturday, thriving in the open game just as much as Dane Coles did for New Zealand against France. A new breed of hooker is here!

3. WP Nel (Scotland)
Pulverised an Australia scrum that had done similar to both England and Wales and recent weeks. His small stature makes him incredibly hard to scrummage against for the bigger prop, and the difference he has made to the Scottish set piece has been remarkable.

4. Brodie Retallick (New Zealand)
A display for the ages from Retallick, who again proved why he is the best lock in the world with a combination of grunt work and sublime handling. Also bagged a try with a smartly taken charge down.

5.Jonny Gray (Scotland)
18 tackles and a stint in the engine room of a front five that shoved the previously indomitable Australia front five backwards. A Lion in waiting.

6. Dan Lydiate (Wales)
Made a mammoth 24 tackles and more often than not, they were aggressive and chopped big South African runners down in their tracks. Never an eye-catching player, but always an important one for Wales.

7. Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe (Argentina)
One of the most inspirational leaders around and deserves great credit for spurring his side on to play the kind of aggressive, brilliant rugby that ended up being too much for Ireland to handle. Mention for Sam Warburton, whose heroic efforts in defence were almost enough to drag his side to the semi-finals.

8. Duane Vermeulen (South Africa)
Along with du Preez, he is the man Springbok fans have to thank for making the semi-final. It was his powerful burst and sublime offload that set the scrum-half free and scampering over for the game-winning try. A mention for Scotland’s Dave Denton, who had probably his best game to date in a Scotland shirt.

By Jamie Hosie
Follow Jamie on Twitter: @jhosie43

Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images