Rugby World Cup 2015: Team of the tournament

by Alex Shaw Thursday 29 October 2015

TRU's Rugby World Cup Team of the Tournament

©PA

The 2015 Rugby World Cup was lit up by many sparkling individual displays during six weeks of memorable action.

15. Ayumu Goromaru, Japan

The Japanese full-back was exceptional for his side in every game he played at the RWC. Reliable under the high ball, a dangerous counter-attacker and excellent with the boot from both hand and tee, Goromaru was the standout player at his position over the last month and a half.

Honourable Mentions: Ben Smith (New Zealand), Mike Brown (England)

14. Santiago Cordero, Argentina

It was almost a 50/50 call between Cordero and Nehe Milner-Skudder, but the 21-year-old Argentine was just a shade more reliable defensively and under the high ball than the Kiwi. The elusive footwork and speed of Cordero made him a star of this RWC and when Argentina are able to welcome back Manuel Montero, they will have quite the little and large double act on their wings.

Honourable Mentions: Nehe Milner-Skudder (New Zealand), Adam Ashley-Cooper (Australia)

13. Mark Bennett, Scotland

Bennett recovered from a shoulder injury to make the RWC 2015 squad and has again proved a danger in the Scottish midfield in the tournament, scoring twice in the win over Japan and once against Australia.

Honourable Mentions: Conrad Smith (New Zealand), Keith Earls (Ireland)

The highly-rated centre made his test debut in the win over Argentina last November, having previously represented Scotland at age grade level and sevens. One of only five players to start every Six Nations match in 2015, Bennett recovered from a shoulder injury to make the RWC 2015 squad and has again proved a danger in the Scottish midfield in the tournament, scoring twice in the win over Japan and once against Australia. The 22-year-old has started all 13 of his tests in a young Scottish backline - See more at: http://www.talkingrugbyunion.co.uk/world-rugby-breakthrough-player-of-the-year-nominees/13831.htm#sthash.q0lVmlZE.dpuf

The highly-rated centre made his test debut in the win over Argentina last November, having previously represented Scotland at age grade level and sevens. One of only five players to start every Six Nations match in 2015, Bennett recovered from a shoulder injury to make the RWC 2015 squad and has again proved a danger in the Scottish midfield in the tournament, scoring twice in the win over Japan and once against Australia. The 22-year-old has started all 13 of his tests in a young Scottish backline. - See more at: http://www.talkingrugbyunion.co.uk/world-rugby-breakthrough-player-of-the-year-nominees/13831.htm#sthash.KDj0rIqN.dpuf

12. Ma’a Nonu, New Zealand

Nonu saved his best to last in this year’s tournament, turning it on to glorious effect in the final against Australia. Beyond his physical carrying, which is always dangerous, the distribution and kicking game of Nonu wrought havoc on almost every defence the imposing centre came up against.

Honourable Mentions: Matt Giteau (Australia), Juan Martín Hernández (Argentina)

11. DTH Van Der Merwe, Canada

Van der Merwe was a shone through for the North Americans with a four-try haul coming from all angles of the field, despite coming bottom of Pool D. Obvious shout for Savea, Springboks star Bryan Habana has been revitalised this tournament but the Canuck just gets the nod with Argentina’s Juan Imhoff also in the frame.

Honourable Mentions: Julian Savea (New Zealand), Juan Imhoff (Argentina)

10. Dan Carter, New Zealand

The peerless Carter continues the streak of All Blacks and like Smith and Nonu before him, bows out of international rugby in glorious fashion. The graceful passes and composed kicking of the fly-half were exceptional throughout the tournament and even with him carving up defences with aplomb, it still felt as though Carter had the ability to kick it up into a higher gear if required.

Honourable Mentions: Nicolás Sánchez (Argentina), Bernard Foley (Australia

9. Fourie du Preez, South Africa

The Springboks’ RWC campaign may not have gone the way du Preez would have wanted, but the veteran scrum-half (likely) signed off his international career in very good form. Aaron Smith has been the benchmark in scrum-half play these past few years, but du Preez took that mantle back, albeit on a very temporary basis, over the last seven weeks.

Honourable Mentions: Greig Laidlaw (Scotland), Conor Murray (Ireland)

1. Scott Sio, Australia

Sio may not have drawn the penalties from opposing scrums that Sekope Kepu did, but he was the foundation for Australia’s new and improved scrum. Under the tutelage of Mario Ledesma, Sio has kicked on from impressing at Super Rugby level with the Brumbies to becoming a bona fide test-calibre loosehead.

Honourable Mentions: Tendai Mtawarira (South Africa), Marcos Ayerza (Argentina)

2 Agustin Creevy, Argentina

A great predecessor to Mario Ledesma, who hung up his international boots in 2011. A mobile and ball-handling hooker his off-loading skills and always capable of a turn-over. Worthy of a RWC Final spot.

Honourable Mentions: Bismark Du Plessis (South Africa), Shota Horie (Japan)

3. Manasa Saulo, Fiji

Saulo was the spearhead of a Fijian pack which took England, Australia and Wales to the cleaners in the scrum. The tighthead even exposed Sio, who is our (and many others’) pick for the form loosehead of the competition. A move to one of the big domestic competitions is surely just a matter of time now for Saulo.

Honourable Mentions: Sekope Kepu (Australia), WP Nel (Scotland)

4. Brodie Retallick, New Zealand

Last year’s World Rugby Player of the Year was a little quiet during the pool stage but grew into the RWC once the knockout rounds came calling. His steady progression throughout the tournament culminated in a stunning performance in the final, where he was every bit as important to the All Blacks as the likes of Nonu and Carter.

Honourable Mentions: Iain Henderson (Ireland), Guido Petti Pagadizábal (Argentina)

5. Lood de Jager, South Africa

The dynamic lock added plenty of carrying threat to a South African pack which looked relatively blunt for much of the competition. His play forced the venerable Victor Matfield to the bench, as the Cheetah contributed significantly in every facet of the Springboks’ game, from the tight to the loose.

Honourable Mentions: Sam Whitelock (New Zealand), Alun Wyn Jones (Wales)

6. Michael Leitch, Japan

Japan's inspired skipper led from the front, making a total of 51 tackles during the pool stage and driving his team to new World Cup heights. Seized the moment spectacularly.

Honourable Mentions: Schalk Burger (South Africa), Jerome Kaino (New Zealand), Scott Fardy (Australia)

7. Richie McCaw, New Zealand

The greatest player of his generation, All Blacks captain McCaw once again excelled on rugby union's biggest stage. An imposing figure on and off the pitch.

Honourable Mentions: Michael Hooper (Australia), Francois Louw (South Africa)

8. David Pocock, Australia

There are just not enough superlatives to do Pocock’s performances at this tournament justice. He was by and far the RWC’s best individual performer and it was his tenacious work in the final that kept Australia competitive in a game in which they were clearly the second best team. The Zimbabwean-born back rower is the benchmark by which we must measure rugby’s breakdown operators and his combination of leg and core strength, technique and shorter stature have made him an almost unmovable object at the contact area.

Honourable Mentions: Duane Vermeulen (South Africa), Mamuka Gorgodze (Georgia)