• 15. Beauden Barrett (New Zealand). For all England’s defensive dominance in their 19-7 win against New Zealand, nobody from either side made more metres with ball in hand than the 105 of Barrett. AFP
    15. Beauden Barrett (New Zealand). For all England’s defensive dominance in their 19-7 win against New Zealand, nobody from either side made more metres with ball in hand than the 105 of Barrett. AFP
  • 14. Anthony Watson (England). Given how complete their performance was over the back-to-back champions, this team could easily be peopled by 15 England players. Watson was electric with ball in hand. AFP
    14. Anthony Watson (England). Given how complete their performance was over the back-to-back champions, this team could easily be peopled by 15 England players. Watson was electric with ball in hand. AFP
  • 13. Manu Tuilagi (England). Not the one-man show of Twickenham in 2012, but the midfielder still had a huge impact, most notably with a second-minute try that gave England a lead they never surrendered. Reuters
    13. Manu Tuilagi (England). Not the one-man show of Twickenham in 2012, but the midfielder still had a huge impact, most notably with a second-minute try that gave England a lead they never surrendered. Reuters
  • 12. Damian de Allende (South Africa). The Springboks centre does not get much ball to work with, but when he does it is often decisive. Like when he finally forced his way through the Wales defence for a second-half try. Reuters
    12. Damian de Allende (South Africa). The Springboks centre does not get much ball to work with, but when he does it is often decisive. Like when he finally forced his way through the Wales defence for a second-half try. Reuters
  • 11. Josh Adams (Wales). Some observers felt the national anthems ahead of the second semi-final were better than the fare that followed. Adams was a star of both, with the high point being his try. EPA
    11. Josh Adams (Wales). Some observers felt the national anthems ahead of the second semi-final were better than the fare that followed. Adams was a star of both, with the high point being his try. EPA
  • 10. George Ford (England). It was thought the All Blacks would target him in defence. And yet he made 15 tackles. More than Maro Itoje. More than Sam Underhill. More than anyone, bar Owen Farrell. AFP
    10. George Ford (England). It was thought the All Blacks would target him in defence. And yet he made 15 tackles. More than Maro Itoje. More than Sam Underhill. More than anyone, bar Owen Farrell. AFP
  • 9. Ben Youngs (England). Saw a try chalked off when an England handling error at a maul was spotted by the TMO, but the scrum-half was back to somewhere near his effervescent best. Reuters
    9. Ben Youngs (England). Saw a try chalked off when an England handling error at a maul was spotted by the TMO, but the scrum-half was back to somewhere near his effervescent best. Reuters
  • 1. Mako Vunipola (England). Like his fellow prop Kyle Sinckler, Vunipola is often the first England player to receive the ball after a breakdown. His tally of 16 carries in the match was bettered only by his brother, Billy. AFP
    1. Mako Vunipola (England). Like his fellow prop Kyle Sinckler, Vunipola is often the first England player to receive the ball after a breakdown. His tally of 16 carries in the match was bettered only by his brother, Billy. AFP
  • 2. Ken Owens (Wales). With Owens throwing in, Wales had immaculate lineout record of 13 from 13. No mean feat against a side of giants in the form of the Springboks. EPA
    2. Ken Owens (Wales). With Owens throwing in, Wales had immaculate lineout record of 13 from 13. No mean feat against a side of giants in the form of the Springboks. EPA
  • 3. Kyle Sinckler (England). It is amazing how often the tight-head prop pops up in a playmaker role for England. He made more passes against New Zealand than four of his side’s backline. AFP
    3. Kyle Sinckler (England). It is amazing how often the tight-head prop pops up in a playmaker role for England. He made more passes against New Zealand than four of his side’s backline. AFP
  • 4. Maro Itoje (England). The defining individual performance of the tournament so far? He has a fair claim. Twelve tackles, three turnovers, seven lineouts won, and the player of the match award. AFP
    4. Maro Itoje (England). The defining individual performance of the tournament so far? He has a fair claim. Twelve tackles, three turnovers, seven lineouts won, and the player of the match award. AFP
  • 5. Franco Mostert (South Africa). The replacement lock was only on for 22 minutes. That was enough time to make seven tackles, and affect the crucial lineout spoil that ultimately broke Welsh hearts. AFP
    5. Franco Mostert (South Africa). The replacement lock was only on for 22 minutes. That was enough time to make seven tackles, and affect the crucial lineout spoil that ultimately broke Welsh hearts. AFP
  • 6. Ardie Savea (New Zealand). His try might have been the result of a little good fortune, from a misplaced England throw at a lineout. He had earned it. Nineteen tackles with none missed was a remarkable body of work. AFP
    6. Ardie Savea (New Zealand). His try might have been the result of a little good fortune, from a misplaced England throw at a lineout. He had earned it. Nineteen tackles with none missed was a remarkable body of work. AFP
  • 7. Sam Underhill (England). His hit that sent Jordie Barrett careering backwards at a rate of knots was one that will live long in the memory. It was one of many by the tireless 23-year-old flanker. AFP
    7. Sam Underhill (England). His hit that sent Jordie Barrett careering backwards at a rate of knots was one that will live long in the memory. It was one of many by the tireless 23-year-old flanker. AFP
  • 8. Duane Vermeulen (South Africa). Few players represent the Springboks’ hard-nosed approach better than their No 8. He carried for more metres – 46 – than anyone else in his side, forwards or backs. AFP
    8. Duane Vermeulen (South Africa). Few players represent the Springboks’ hard-nosed approach better than their No 8. He carried for more metres – 46 – than anyone else in his side, forwards or backs. AFP

Rugby

Manu Tuilagi and Maro Itoje magnificent, Ardie Savea in ahead of Tom Curry: Rugby World Cup 2019 team of the week

Check out Paul Radley's best XV from the weekend's Rugby World Cup semi-finals

Paul Radley
Paul Radley
Dubai

October 27, 2019

  • English
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The Rugby World Cup semi-finals served up some truly outstanding individual performances.

It is probably no surprise to see England make up the bulk of the team after Eddie Jones' side prised away New Zealand's eight-year grip on the trophy with a dominant 19-7 win in Yokohama on Saturday.

Just over 24 hours later, South Africa edged a much tighter match against Wales, with Handre Pollard's penalty in the dying minutes proving the difference between the two sides as Rassie Erasmus' men won 19-16.

The Springboks will now seek a third World Cup title, after their 1995 and 2007 triumphs, while England are looking for their second trophy after winning the 2003 tournament in the most dramatic circumstances.

The final takes place on Saturday, with New Zealand and Wales contesting the third-place match on Friday.

Above is a photo gallery of the best players in each position from this past weekend's semi-finals.

To move on to the next image, click on the arrows, or if using a mobile device, simply swipe.

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