Japan shock Irish and Scots, Canada clean up and that try from TJ Perenara: 10 best moments of the Rugby World Cup 2019

There was no dearth of action and drama during the pool phase of the tournament

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  2). Come feel the noise – the action has been incredible, but the sound from the stadiums has been truly electrifying. The famous Japanese hospitality has made them arguably the best Rugby World Cup hosts ever. Reuters

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  3). Semi Radradra. While the flying Fijians had their wings clipped in defeats to Australia, Wales, and most surprisingly Uruguay, the Bordeaux back can lay claims to be the tournament’s outstanding player so far. In a 45-10 win over Georgia, Radradra scored two tries, nabbed three assists and ran for 177 metres. Reuters

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  4). TJ Perenara try against Namibia. Champagne rugby stuff from the All Blacks. The ball passed through the hands of Reiko Ioane and Brad Weber, whose behind-the-back pass to Perenara could easily qualify as pass of the tournament. But the New Zealand half-back still had plenty to do, launching himself over the line in the corner despite the best efforts of Namibian fly-half Helarius Kisting to thwart him. AFP

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  5). Canada team helping out locals. After their final pool match against Namibia was cancelled because of safety concerns over Typhoon Hagibis, the Canada players and management took to the streets to help with the clean-up operation in Kamaishi following widespread damage. Class acts. AP

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  6). Sergio Parisse joins elite club. Italy’s talisman and captain became only the third man – alongside compatriot Mauro Bergamasco and Samoa’s Brian Lima - to play in five Rugby World Cups when he took to the field in the Azzurri’s 47-22 win over Namibia. Getty Images

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  7). Uruguay pull off shock win over Fiji. Slightly overshadowed four days later when Japan beat No 2-ranked Ireland, but the South Americans wrote themselves into Rugby World Cup folklore with a 30-27 win over the much-fancied Fijians. EPA

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  8). Barrett brothers line up. Beauden, Jordie and Scott became the first trio of siblings to start a Rugby World Cup match when they lined up to put a hurting on Canada in the pool phase, with all three crossing the whitewash in a 63-0 win. Getty Images

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  9). Australia’s Samu Kerevi apology. The Wallabies centre said he may have to switch codes to rugby league after being penalized for a high forearm on Rhys Patchell. Fair play to Kerevi, though, he did seek out the Welsh back to apologise, even though he clearly felt he had done nothing wrong. Reuters

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  10). Japan’s shock win over Ireland. While the win over Scotland carried greater reward, Japan’s 19-12 victory over Ireland, who only a weeks earlier were the top-ranked team on the planet, set the ball rolling for the Brave Blossoms to emerge as a tour de force at the World Cup. South Africa know they are in for a game when they meet in the last eight. AFP

Twenty teams started out, only eight remain. With the pool phase for the Rugby World Cup 2019 now complete, thoughts turn to the quarter-finals, where for the first time Japan will compete in a knockout round at the global showpiece.

Few will begrudge Japan's day in the sun, where they take on a South Africa team they famously beat at the last World Cup four years ago in a match known as the "Miracle of Brighton".

Sunday's nail-biting 28-21 win over Scotland in Yokohama against the backdrop of the devastation of Typhoon Hagibis that claimed at least 26 lives over the weekend was the perfect way to celebrate Japan's free-flowing rugby and help the country begin to recover.

Other highlights from the pool phase include TJ Perenara's magnificent try against Namibia, Uruguay's shock win over Fiji and Canada's players helping out locals in Kamaishi clear up after the damage following the impact of Typhoon Hagibis.

Above is a picture gallery of some of the other highlights from the pool phase.

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