Anton Lienert-Brown brilliant, Adam Hastings rising fast: Rugby World Cup team of the week

After another hectic round, Paul Radley picks out his best XV from the tournament in Japan

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  1 James Slipper (Australia) The Wallabies’ 45-10 win over Uruguay was a workaday effort, but it was notable for the fact prop Slipper scored his first Test match try – in his 94th game for his country. Getty Images

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  2 Schalk Brits (South Africa) OK, so he has only played in two matches, both walkovers, and in different positions each time. But his try against Canada was his second of the tournament, and he must be pushing for a place in the Springboks first XV. AFP

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  3 Manasa Saulo (Fiji) The barrel-chested prop could not have given any more in the 51 minutes he played against Wales. Strong in the set piece, and even popped up in the loose with ball in hand. AFP

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  4 Matias Alemano (Argentina) How different things might have been for Argentina had Alemmano started against England rather than Tomas Lavanini. Against USA, he made 18 tackles – double the next best of any other Argentine forward. And all of them legal. AFP

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  5 RG Snyman (South Africa) At 2.07m tall, Snyman is difficult to miss. But South Africa’s giant lock still managed to evade enough tackles to make 49 metres with ball in hand against Canada, on his way to the player of the match award. Getty Images

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  6 John Barclay (Scotland) A cheeky sidestep to beat a winger, and then a run in under the posts for a 75th minute try is a fair effort for a workhorse loose-forward. No wonder Barclay looked so shattered at the end against Russia. AP Photo

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  7. Sam Underhill (England) Other than the odd petty spat, and one portentous high hit, England v Argentina never amounted to the “war” Agustin Creevy forecast. Maybe because Underhill snubbed out any threat before it started. Getty Images

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  8 Viliame Mata (Fiji) The Olympic gold-medal winning No 8 made some colossal hits against Wales. His dynamism was typical of a remarkable display that did not deserve to end in defeat. Getty Images

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  9 George Horne (Scotland) Started at scrum-half against Russia, scored two tries from that position, then was shifted to the wing as Scotland put Darcy Graham on ice for the weekend – and scored another one from there. REUTERS

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  10 Adam Hastings (Scotland) The 22 year old had to wait for his first start at the World Cup, but he made up for lost time with two tries in the first 18 minutes to ignite Scotland’s demolition of Russia. AFP

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  11 Semi Radradra (Fiji) Surely the player of the tournament so far. Unplayable against Georgia, and not far off the same in Fiji’s valiant effort in defeat to Wales. Sad to see him heading home. Getty Images

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  12 Anton Lienert-Brown (New Zealand) Having Sonny Bill Williams poised ready to take your shirt must do a lot to focus a mind. Which might explain the continued excellence of Lienert-Brown, who was player of the match in the thrashing of Namibia. AFP

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  13 Juan Cruz Mallia (Argentina) It might have been too little, too late, but Argentina did finally show they could play a bit as they thrashed United States. Mallia excelled to the tune of two tries. AFP

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  14 Josh Adams (Wales) Had a tough start against Fiji, including floating a hospital pass that led to teammate Hadleigh Parkes being poleaxed, but recovered with a brilliant hat-trick than won his side a thriller. PA Wire.

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  15 Liam Williams (Wales) As Wales struggled to repel the thrilling Fijian backs, Williams took the attack back to them. He ran for 146 metres in the 29-17 win, and scored the try that finally killed off Fiji’s challenge. EPA

Typhoon Hagibis-permitting, Scotland and Japan face a decisive final pool match on Sunday, after they both picked up bonus-point wins this week.

New Zealand and South Africa had matches that amounted to little more than attack versus defence.

England powered on seamlessly towards the quarterfinals, but the competition will be a worse place for the absence of Fiji, who are well represented in our team of the week despite defeat to Wales.

Check out who else makes Paul Radley's team in the photo gallery above. To move on to the next position, click on the arrows on the photo, or if using a mobile device simply swipe.