RWC 2019: Team of the Tournament

What a World Cup it was, with twists and turns all the way through. It seems like years ago that we witnessed Uruguay overturn the Flying Fijians. The fanfare for the success of the Japan team still echos around the globe. And the glorious rampant victory for England over the All Blacks will live long in the memory. But in the end, it was the mighty Springboks who lifted the Webb Ellis trophy for the third time in their history. The sight of Siya Kolisi holding aloft the ultimate prize in rugby will stand through time, up there with Francios Pienaar's jubilant celebrations from 1995.

With the dust settled it's time to discuss the Team of the Tournament.

History was made in Japan this year, a tournament which will be remembered for many reasons.

15 - Beauden Barrett
Despite an ultimately disappointing tournament for the All Blacks, Barrett has been back to his world-beating best at this tournament. He first burst onto the international scene from fullback, where his raw speed could be utilised to the full, and his return to the backfield has allowed him to rediscover that form. The move was simply to allow him to get the ball in his hands, even more, and based on how dangerous the All Blacks have been at kick returns it seems to have been a smart call.
Honourable Mentions: Liam Williams

14 - Kotaro Matsushima

Matsushima got the tournament off to a bang.

There were many heroes from Japan's historic ride to the quarter-finals. But the man who perhaps caused the most excitement was Matsushima, a hot stepping winger who few could handle in defence. Japan regularly worked him into space where his unbelievable speed and footwork could shred the covering defences. Matsushima also ended the tournament third on the try scorer list, considering that the two above him played two extra games, that showcases just how good his finishing ability was.
Honourable Mentions: Cheslin Kolbe, Davien Penaud, 

13 - Semi Radradra
Radradra filled in at both centre and wing through the tournament, but I'm slotting him in at 13. An absolute freak of a physical specimen he gave every defence coach nightmares. Some players have speed, some have footwork, some have size and power. Radradra has all three and more. The sight of him running with the ball in one hand is one to behold. The Fijian coaches gave him the right to roam around the pitch and influence the game as a free spirit, which made him all the harder to defend against as you never knew where he was.
Honourable Mentions: Manu Tuilagi, Veremi Vatakawa

12 - Damian de Allende
He didn't start the tournament in rip-roaring form, but as the weeks progressed he became more and more influential to the Springbok's success. Providing a powerful crash ball centre, but with a modicum of footwork and pace that allows him to exploit mismatches in defence. His defensive work cannot be overlooked either, providing a rock-solid midfield alongside Pollard and Am which proved critical to the team's success against both Wales and England.
Honourable Mentions: Owen Farrell, Samu Kerevi

11 - Josh Adams
I can't not put the top try scorer on this list, especially from a team many pundits think is incapable of playing attacking rugby. Seven tries from seven games is a strike record many test wingers would be enviable of, in doing so he set a new record for a Welsh try scorer at a World Cup, surpassing the legendary Shane Williams. The tries don't tell the whole story, Adams also has a clear lead on most linebreaks in the tournament which speaks volumes to the impact he has across the pitch with his speed and intelligent angles.
Honourable Mentions: Anthony Watson, Marika Koroibete

Josh Adams scored some brilliant tries this tournament, which proved to be critical to Wales' success.

10 - Dan Biggar
Potentially a controversial selection here, but I think no player typified his teams desire to win against all the odds than Biggar. A true warrior who kicked with incredible accuracy all tournament (one conversion aside) and his kick chasing was second to none. He put his body on the line time and again, often to his own detriment, showcasing the do-anything attitude of the Welsh team. While not the classiest of fly-halves in attack, if Wales had overcome their endless injuries, Biggar would have been a fundamental reason.
Honourable Mentions: George Ford, Romaine Ntamack, Handre Pollard

de Klerk is the latest World Class scrumhalf to
lead his team to World Cup victory.

9 - Faf de Klerk
In the crucible of the final, Faf didn't blink. A critical - if diminutive - cog in the mighty Springbok machine, de Klerk typified the way this South Africa team played, with an endless assault of box kicks raining down on the opposition. That wasn't his whole game though, his footwork and eye for a gap meant defences always had to keep an eye on him at the breakdown, and his speed of passing allowed waves of huge South African forwards to continually batter down defences. Combine that with a reckless level of defence, throwing his minuscule frame at men much bigger than him with no regard for personal safety, and you've got a complete scrumhalf.
Honourable Mentions: Gareth Davies, Aaron Smith, Yutaka Nagare

1 - Isileli Nakajima
I was impressed with the Japanese set-piece all tournament, for a team famed for their physical size, or lack of it, their set-piece of efficient and clean. Their technique at the scrum was beautiful. Forget the huge power of the English or South African props, with their years of dark-arts training, what the Japanese did with excellent technique, low body height, and precise driving angles is what scrummaging should be. Nakajima did all that and coupled it with delicate handling skills and running angles which made him a threat in open field and a very good link player. It's for those reasons he makes it into my team over some bigger names.

Nakajima become a cult figure for those supporting
Japan's historic run.

Honourable Mentions: Tendai Mtawarira, Wyn Jones, Mako Vunipola

2 - Bongi Mbonambi
His World Cup final ended early, but he had been outstanding throughout the tournament for the Springboks. A hooker is defined by his ability at the set-piece, both scrum and lineout run through the No. 2, with Mbonambi, South Africa never had to worry about either. He is a monster scrummager, as you'd expect, and his darts at the lineout were accurate all tournament. Perhaps the biggest thing for me with Mbonambi is his pride for the jersey, he was the cheerleader of this side, celebrating every moment of victory - no matter how small - on the pitch or from the bench. That kind of positive support from your teammates can mean the difference between victory and defeat.
Honourable Mentions: Jamie George, Guilleme Guirado

3 - Tadgh Furlong
In a disappointing tournament for the Irish, Furlong was a bright light in the gloom. Furlong is widely accepted as one of the best tighthead props in the world, and he showed it again despite a misfiring team. His scrummaging was forceful as expected, getting after the opposition every time, perhaps most showcased by the demolition of Scotland. His work in the loose was exemplary as always, he is always looking for work, and is an excellent ball carrier with a surprising turn of pace. While the team around him failed to live up to expectations, Furlong showed just why he is so highly rated.
Honourable Mentions: Frans Malherbe, Kyle Sinckler, Taniela Tupou

4 - Maro Itoje
I've spoken about how good Itoje was for England in the World Cup previously, he has really relished the abrasive "we're better than you" attitude that Eddie Jones has installed in England. He spends all game intent on being as annoying as possible. Shouting at scrum-halves, flying into rucks just because he can, laughing and celebrating in the face of the opposition. Of course, he is also a supremely talented player who is great at the lineout, and a true force of nature in defence as well. He's looking like a lock-in for the Lions tour in two years time.

Itoje has become a Ferrari of a player under
Eddie Jones. A proven winner.

Honourable Mentions: Brodie Retallick, Franco Mostert

5 - Alun Wyn Jones
The South African locks (all four of them) could fill out this team twice over with how well they've all played, but I can't ignore the heart and soul of a Wales team that almost made it to a final despite missing a glut of players. The passion and willpower he brings to a team is unrivalled and he is capable elevating all fourteen players around him to another level with his deeds alone. It should also be mentioned Jones was also the top tackler in the tournament with 79, outdoing the likes of Itoje and Underhill. Those are monumental numbers from a veteran player. He has stood as a pillar of the Gatland era, and defined the fortitude the coach has installed.
Honourable Mentions: Lood de Jager, RG Snyman 

6 - Tom Curry
Tom Curry is traditionally an openside flanker, but he has been simply outstanding for England on the other side of the scrum since he burst onto the scene. With Sam Underhill, he has formed a fearsome tandem which will stand England in great stead for a few years yet. Curry provided England with an excellent breakdown operator, brilliant tackler, as well as a strong lineout option. He's the complete package that has been at the fore all tournament, outperforming the famous Hooper/Pocock tandem in the quarter-finals, and dominating New Zealand in the semis too.
Honourable Mentions: Siya Kolisi, Michael Leitch

du Toit is the blueprint of a modern flanker.
Physical, skilful, and endless energy.

7 - Pieter Steph du Toit
Probably the easiest pick of this team, after all, he did just win Men's Player of the Year. But even without that, his form would speak for itself, du Toit has been nothing short of phenomenal all year. He's been the main defensive power behind the Springboks successful World Cup, regularly smashing ball carriers backwards with gleeful abandon. He also possesses great ability with ball in hand, not just with the simple forward carries that every backrower needs, but he's also great in the wider channels able to gallop into open space and link up with other players. Superb player, well deserved.
Honourable Mentions: Justin Tipuric, Sam Underhill

8 - Dwayne Vermeulen
Dwayne Vermuelen stormed into my team of the tournament with some absolutely thundering displays in the last two games. It started with a defensive shift against Wales and ended with his man of the match display against England. An absolute monster in the final the South African No. 8 was everywhere in that game. Tackling ball carriers, hitting rucks, or making some eye-catching runs with ball in hand. He was crucial in nullifying the superb England flankers, always able to get his team on the front foot with his carries. Not to mention also turning over the ball himself, twice in the final, which is not something you expect from such a large man. Every team needs a player like Vermeulen, so few have one.
Honourable Mentions: Kazuki Himeno, Josh Navidi

For a man that looks so much like Thor, Vermuelen put on a show worthy of Asgard in the World Cup Final.

So there you have it, that's my selection of team of the tournament, who do you think should have made it? Who do you think didn't deserve to be in the final XV? Let me know on social media.