Revelations of the Rugby World Cup

Yes yes, we know, the All Blacks are the best team in the World and the Wallabies are decent too. No need to shove any more plaudits down McCaw and Pocock’s throat, they’ve had quite enough attention. Let’s have a look at some of the other talent to light up this World Cup. Here are some of our favourites from Rugby World Cup 2015:

15 – Ayumu Goromaru

Where else could we possibly start other than with the bravest of the blossoms? Goromaru scored 24 points against South Africa, including an all-important try, in the biggest upset in world cup history. His black taped fingers will no doubt be mimicked by young Japanese players aspiring to line out alongside him in 2019. You may see a lot of more of him well before then, as the Queensland Reds are rumoured to be interested in his services.

14 –Santiago Cordero

When Shane Williams retired, many feared that the small man in rugby was lost forever. Cordero is a breath of fresh air amongst a sea of wing monsters. He has an incredible step and speed to boot. Traditionally a Sevens player, Cordero plays his club rugby for Regatas in Argentina and has burst onto the scene at this World cup. Other notable performers who deserve a mention are Nemani Nadolo and Anthony Watson who were both excellent in the pool of death.

13 – Mark Bennett

Scotland has struggled to find a backline combination that can challenge opposition teams, but in Mark Bennet they have found a star who can unlock defences. At only 22 he has already made a name for himself. His interception against Australia almost put Scotland a World Cup Semi-final and there’s plenty more to come from this young star. Damian De Allende also deserves a mention for ably filling the boots of the great Jean de Villiers.

12 – Robbie Henshaw

Henshaw could have played almost anywhere in the Irish backline. A schoolboy prodigy and fullback in his early days, Joe Schmidt decided to put him in at 12. His physicality is something that Ireland previously lacked in the centre and when you combine this with a rugby brain and great aerial ability, Irish fans have something to be very excited about with this young man.

11 – DTH Van De Merwe

Constantly on the back foot, Canada had this man to thank for giving their fans something to cheer about. He conjured up tries from nowhere and would walk into most starting 15’s. He runs perfect lines and has the strength & speed needed to make an impact on the biggest stage. He will be playing for Scarlets in the Pro12 this season so keep an eye out for him.

10 – Dan Biggar

Biggar in our opinion was the form 10 of the tournament. He was working with a new backline each week but took every game, including the Quarter Final, by the scruff of the neck and played with composure, passion and incredible skill. His kicking was flawless as was his defence. Whilst he was an established player before the World Cup, Biggar has now become one of the best outhalves in world rugby.

9 – Fumiaki Tanaka

Another representative from the surprise package of the tournament, Tanaka epitomised everything good about Japan. His passing speed, his grit and his ability to marshal his forwards was a sight to behold. He plays his rugby in New Zealand, but the red and white stripes took his performances to another level. Georgian wonder kid Vasil Lobzhanidze also deserves a mention, the youngest ever player to line out at a Rugby World Cup, he acquitted himself very well and has a bright future.

8 - Amanaki Lelei Mafi

What a shame Japan had such a short turnaround for their game with Scotland. Although they gave it everything they had, the emotional and physical toll caught up with them. Mafi however was instrumental when starting or coming off the bench for Japan. His strength and power in the tackle caused havoc and he would have walked into most World Cup squads.

7 – John Hardie

Hardie only arrived off a plane from New Zealand a few months before the World Cup and there were question marks over his inclusion in the Scottish squad given his lack of international experience. Cotter clearly saw something in the openside and his decision was fully vindicated with Hardie putting in some phenomenal performances in the Scottish back row. A few more finds like him and Scotland could become a force to be reckoned with. Tinus du Plessis also gets a mention for almost matching his established back row partner Jacques Burger.

6 – Pablo Matera

Ok, he has already played over 20 games for Argentina, but where did his new found bulk come from? He looks like he swallowed two 20kg dumbbells. He’s been one of the standout performers for Argentina in this tournament and a future backrow star and potential captain. His all action displays and big hits will give Bernard Foley and Madigan nightmares for weeks to come.

5 - Leone Nakarawa

His offloads, his wonderful, wonderful offloads. Nakarawa was on the radar of most Pro12 & Fiji fans already, but he’s now known globally for having the ability to make defenders look like kids trying to get their basketball back from a much larger bully. He is a huge talent and epitomises everything that is great about Fijian rugby.

4 – Tomas Lavanini

Second rows need to impose themselves on the opposition. Lavanini does this by chopping players around the knees with little regard for his or the oppositions safety. He smashed Tommy Bowe’s knee with a brutal chop tackle and similarly took Folau out with a similar attempt. This coupled with his size and aggression makes him a massive concern for opposition players. He’s developing into a Bakkies Botha type enforcer and he’s only 22. Oh dear.

3 – Ramiro Herrera

Another slab of Argentinean meat - Who would put a 6’4 ex lock in the front row? Well Argentina has and it’s working. The man is a beast and gives his team another bully in the pack who can wreak havoc in rucks and mauls. From what we have seen so far, he’s not too bad in the scrum either.

2 – Shota Horie

A hooker who hooks! What a treat. Horie is an old school number 2 and like every player in the Japanese team, he brings pace and efficiency. Who wants to wait around for five minutes to get the ball out? Not this guy. Crouch, pause… And it’s already out the back.

1. Karlen Asieshvili

This man is representing the entire Georgian front row. They were phenomenal and if Tier 1 teams are going to continue to poach players, Georgia better watch out. They seem to have a conveyor belt of burley front rows churning out hairy nuggets. If Rugby was just a game of scrummaging, these guys would be right up there.

by Fred Culazzo