"Centurion stars" - Every home nations best and worst player on Super Saturday
Rugby NewsSaturday, 07 October 2023 at 23:35
Imperious Ireland showcased clinical brilliance as they dismantled Scotland, securing their spot in the World Cup quarter-finals and eliminating their opponents from the tournament.
In contrast, England, although sluggish, managed to outlast a physically demanding and brilliant performance from Samoa. This victory ensured England's passage to the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals, having won all their Pool D matches.
Wales, too, maintained a flawless record in World Cup pool matches, securing a bonus-point victory over Georgia.
Below, we look at the best and worst player for all the home nations on Super Saturday.
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WALES
Best player: Tommy Reffell
Wales Online wrote: "Finally got his chance and put in a huge shift. Won four turnovers turnovers, put in 19 tackles, and gave Wales a real physical edge at the breakdown. A performance that has given Warren Gatland plenty to think about."
Rugby Pass wrote: "Tackled like a rabid sheepdog. The Leicester Tiger man was a standout performer, causing problems for Georgia at the breakdown and winning three crucial turnovers. His work rate was exceptional."
Worst player: Tomos Williams
Wales Online wrote: "Williams didn't have a great platform at times with Georgia doing their best to put the Cardiff number nine under pressure. Wasn't as much of a threat with ball in hand as usual but kicked well out of hand. However, Wales lost their shape in attack too often and the half-backs have got to take some responsibility for this."
ENGLAND
Best player: Ollie Chessum
The Telegraph wrote: "Finished his try athletically and packed a punch with the ball, but an early spill and a sealing-off penalty blotted his copybook. Still, one of England’s best."
Rugby Pass wrote: "Ripped in the contact early doors, which suggested it would be a tough day for England, but he was soon racing in to score from the 22 off a Tuilagi pass. Denied a second try 14 minutes into the second half, but his work rate was crucial to England avoiding an embarrassing defeat."
Worst player:
The Telegraph wrote: "England’s captain led admirably in defence, became his country’s all-time leading point-scorer - ending Jonny Wilkinson’s 22-year reign – but he was rusty. The shot-clock gaffe was a howler."
IRELAND
Best player: Peter O'Mahony
The Telegraph wrote: "Ireland’s disruptor-in-chief. Turned over an early Scotland lineout. Nearly put Hansen over. Looked like he might lamp ref after he butchered an Ireland try-scoring opportunity."
Irish Independent wrote: "Ireland’s latest centurion with the boots to prove it. The central lineout target, he also won his steals and had a great shot on Schoeman. Nearly put Hansen away and then was right in the scuffling. "
Worst player: Nobody
SCOTLAND
Best player: Jack Dempsey
The Telegraph wrote: "Probably the pick of Scotland’s pack. At least he made it over the gainline a few times."
Planet Rugby wrote: "The former Wallaby was one of Scotland’s best players as he did well on attack, gaining 68 metres from 14 carries while also doing his bit on defence with 12 tackles completed"
Rugby Pass wrote: "A couple of big carries – including one from a defensive 5 metre scrum."
Worst player: Duhan van der Merwe
The Telegraph wrote: "A poor night for the winger. Lost ball in contact early on. Lost his cool in a second half scuffle."
Rugby Pass wrote: "Too often his impact is mitigated in big games, and again tonight. Cut down and turned over with his first carry, then nearly held up with the second. Scotland found him with the clock in the red, then to sum up the evening, turned the ball over to mercifully put Scotland out their misery."
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