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.

Quick Tap: Wales 13 - 16 South Africa Takeaways

A day after England crusaded through the All Blacks, we witnessed a much tenser affair as Wales took on South Africa. The game was billed to be an arm wrestle between two similar teams, and so it proved from the outset. A game dominated by kicks (73 in all) and physical defence, where each team was looking to prey off the opponent's mistakes. In the end, it came down to a single two minute period of play, to just about put the Springboks into the final. So how did that come about, here are the takeaways from South Africa's victory.

South Africa claimed a hard earned victory, de Allende scored their only try of the game in a
wonderful solo effort.

Quick Tap: England 19-7 New Zealand Takeaways

I honestly didn't see this result coming. I had an inkling that England might pull off something, but I didn't expect it to be that convincing. As, arguably, the two best teams in the tournament met in the semi-finals it was always going to be a monumental game. Right from the start you could tell England were up for this, from the anthem, to the response to the Haka (which if England get fined for is a total travesty), and into the opening moments of the game. England are known for fast starts, this was another level, and they never let up till the final whistle. But what were the takeaways from the game, where was it won and lost?

England set the tone early, with their response to the All Black's Haka. It will be remembered along with
the victory for a long time.