Rugby World Cup Form XV

With the Rugby World Cup over and the All Blacks becoming back-to-back champions, Adam Julian reflects on his form starting XV from the tournament below.

15. Ayumu Goromaru (Japan) 
His performance against South Africa was one for the ages. He scored 24 of Japan’s 34 points and amassed 58 in total for the tournament, which was second behind Scotland’s Greg Laidlaw at the end of the pool stage. Goromaru attacks with flair, kicks accurately and is a reliable defender. Ben Smith was in imperious form most of the time, but he misses the cut because his yellow card in the final cost two tries.

14. Nehe Milner-Skudder (New Zealand)
A nominee for IRB Breakthrough Player of the Year, Milner-Skudder narrowly pips Adam Ashley-Cooper for a place in the team on the back of his superior final. Hungry for work, electric feet and he scored six tries.

13.Sonny Bill Williams (New Zealand)
Predictably headed the offload count with 12. Made a big impact every time he came on, especially against Argentina when the All Blacks were in a pickle. A great offload commenced Ma'a Nonu's try in the final.

12. Ma'a Nonu (New Zealand)
An imperious presence in the New Zealand midfield. His try in the final was a classic. In the top 10 for defenders beaten. The greatest second-five the All Blacks have had in the modern era.

11. Julian Savea (New Zealand)
Despite being quiet in the semi and the final he finished the tournament as the leading try scorer with a record equalling eight. His quarter final hat-trick against France was devastating.

10. Daniel Carter (New Zealand)
Made a somewhat shaky start, but enjoyed his finest hour in the final winning the man of the match award. A 42-metre drop kick and 49-metre penalty in the last ten minutes blunted a fierce Australia revival. Scored 82 points by kicking 33 goals from 41 attempts.

9. Greg Laidlaw (Scotland)
Scored 26 points against Samoa to win Scotland a place in the quarter final against Australia who he scored 17 points against to help almost cause an upset. Lively pass, good judgment, a great tournament.

8. David Pocock (Australia)
The player of the tournament? Immense presence at the breakdown, great cribbing off mauls and an improved carrier. Pocock is a genuine star.

7. Richie McCaw (New Zealand) 
Since 2001 the All Blacks have only won 19 of 26 Tests without McCaw, that’s 68%. When he is in the team they win 89% of the time. Delivered the last pass for tries in the semi and the final. He doesn’t have the same presence at the breakdown as Pocock, but is a valuable and tireless worker all the same.

6. Scott Fardy (Australia)
The unsung hero in Australia’s forward pack, he too was a menace at the breakdown and a useful lineout option. Jerome Kaino narrowly misses out. After an underwhelming start to the tournament he was big in the finals stages.

5. Leone Nakarawa (Fiji)
The ex-army man was a beast at this World Cup. Explosive with ball in hand he made more offloads (10) in the group stage than any other player. He also claimed 26 lineout catches and provided a strong push in the second row of a vastly improved Fijian scrum.

4. Sam Whitelock (New Zealand) 
Made a crucial lineout steal late in the semi-final against South Africa. Toiled around the park, as usual.

3. Ramiro Herrera (Argentina) 
Caused every opponent he faced trouble. Did a job on Tony Woodcock and the Pumas scrum kept the semi-final against Australia competitive.

2. Agustin Creevy (Argentina) 
A really inspiration figure for the Pumas. Scrummaged powerfully and is an accurate lineout thrower with a big presence with ball in hand.

1.Soane Tonga’huia (Tonga) 
Gave All Black veteran Owen Franks a torrid time in the scrums. Strong with nimble hands, worked his backside off.