Our first Rugby World Cup 2023 Team of the Week is here with three England stars included after their win against Argentina.
Have you planned where you'll be watching next weekend's rugby? Make a Greene King pub your Rugby Rendezvous.
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Rugby World Cup 2023 Team of the Week:
BACK-THREE:
#15. Beauden Barrett (New Zealand)
STUFF: "Chimed in nicely on attacking raids without over-playing his hand. Accurate in his work, including pinpoint pass to send Papalii over."
Rugby Pass: "Ran well and stepped into first receiver regularly. A nice kick-pass gave Fainga’anuku the ball on a platter in the lead-up to the first try of the match. Made good headway down the right edge off an NZ counter attack then kicked the ball in behind the defence to create the opportunity for the All Blacks’ second."
Honourable mention: Freddie Steward (England)
#14. Mack Hansen (Ireland)
Independent 8/10: "His try was certainly one for the highlight reels after leaving plenty of red jerseys in his wake. Really smart 50:22 too even if he'll be disappointed not to gather cleanly for Porter's non-try."
Honourable mentions: Louis Rees-Zammit (Wales), Grant Williams (South Africa)
#11. Makazole Mapimpi (South Africa)
The Citizen 9/10: "Back to his finishing best for the popular winger. Assisted Damian Willemse’s try, scored three of his own; dangerous every time he touched the ball. Superb!"
Rugby 365 8.5/10: "The wing really showed his deadly finishing skills, scoring a hat-trick of tries. He also set up Wille Le Roux, a very enjoyable outing."
Honourable mention: Leicester Fainga’anuku (New Zealand)
CENTRES:
#13. Joshua Tuisova (Fiji)
Planet Rugby 9/10: "Got a gift of a try from the Wallabies early in the second half but apart from that, the decision to bring him in to the run-on side at inside centre paid off as he was named as the official man of the match. Ran hard as he gained 61 metres from 10 carries, impressed at the breakdowns and in defence where he made nine hits."
#12. Bundee Aki (Ireland)
RTE 9/10: "Unlucky to not be picked as Player of the Match last week, but there was no doubt on Saturday evening. Even prior to his two tries he was the best player on the pitch and brought variety to his play with seven passes in addition to his 19 carries for 80 metres. Two clean breaks and 10 defenders beaten shows just how much trouble Tonga had dealing with him, even with their own formidable centres of Fakitoa and Akhi. In the form of his life."
The 42 9/10: "A player in the form of his life. Aki felt he was slightly underweight at the last World Cup but he seems to be in the optimal physical condition to make a serious dent in this tournament. Two tries, 10 defenders beaten and 80 metres gained off a team-leading 19 carries (Tadhg Beirne was next with 11 carries)."
Independent 9/10: "With Tonga looking to line up Irish ball carriers and make the big hits, Aki found himself carrying into the jaws of the defence but proved the man for the job and rewarded with late tries."
Honourable mention: Andres Vilaseca (Uruguay)
HALFBACKS:
#10. Damian McKenzie (New Zealand)
Stuff 10/10: "Thrived in the expansive play, able to run defenders ragged in scoring two tries, and also run his side out of trouble while at fullback for the final quarter. Sent one left-foot kick dead, while booted 8/11 off the tee in what were tricky conditions."
Honourable mentions: Felipe Etcheverry (Uruguay), Antoine Hastoy (France), Johnny Sexton (Ireland), Christian Leali’ifano (Samoa)
#9. Cobus Reinach (South Africa)
Rugby 365 9/10: "It was an incredible performance by the No.9. He was amazing on attack. He scored the Springboks’ first try at the back of the scrum and bagged a hat-trick in the 23rd minute – missing his World Cup record by just three minutes. He was calm and read the game really well."
Honourable mentions: Conor Murray (Ireland), Cam Roigard (New Zealand), Jonathan Taumateine (Samoa)
FRONT-ROW:
#1. Joe Marler (England)
RUCK 8/10: Highly disruptive in the breakdown and a dominant force in the scrum. An exceptional performance highlighted by a accidentally clever assist late on."
Honourable mention: Ox Nche (South Africa)
#2. Sam Matavesi (Fiji)
Rugby Pass 8.5/10: "Completed his first six throws at the lineout and showed magnificent skill on a lineout play to rip a long pass out to the backs. Still finished with a team-high six carries."
#3. Luke Tagi (Fiji)
Rugby Pass 8/10: "The powerful prop gave Fiji good gain line with four carries. He put in a mammoth effort after being recalled into action. Off at 50 but back on from 58, Tagi finished with nine tackles, anchored a strong Fijian scrum & maul throughout his time on."
SECOND-ROW:
#4. Tadhg Beirne (Ireland)
RTE 8/10: "We were tempted to give him a nine, but he took a couple of risks too many in giving away a pair of penalties. Otherwise he was outstanding, running in Ireland's opening try, his third of the tournament. Led the team in tackles with 11 and contributed 11 carries also."
Independent 8/10: "Back in the second-row, he finished strongly for a try when, regardless of how the game finished, it felt like Ireland particularly needed one. Made more than his fair share of tackles too."
#5. Theo McFarland (Samoa)
RUCK 9/10: "The Saracens baller brought his Premiership form from last season to the international stage with a standout performance for the Pacific Islanders."
BACK-ROW:
#6. Marco van Staden (South Africa)
Rugby 365 8/10: "He was incredible today – very industrious. In the last quarter, he slotted in effortlessly at hooker and was successful with all his lineout throws. The flank could’ve had his first World Cup try, however was ruled No Try after obstruction at the maul."
Honourable mention: Courtney Lawes (England)
#7. Levani Botia (Fiji)
Rugby Pass 9/10: "Ever-present at the breakdown, competing hard for Fiji both on attack and defence. His elevation into the starting line-up proved to be a masterstroke as he was everywhere."
Honourable mention: Jac Morgan (Wales), Ben Earl (England)
#8. Taulupe Faletau (Wales)
Wales Online: "After months out injured the Cardiff man is getting back to his best. One sensational try-saving tackle kept Portugal at bay early on while he claimed Wales' bonus point try at the death as he smashed his way past three defenders to touch down."
Honourable mention: Caelan Doris (Ireland), Taulupe Faletau (Wales), Duane Vermeulen (South Africa), Lewis Ludlam (England)
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