Team of the Week: Rugby World Cup Quarter-Finals

The weekend's action began with Los Pumas of Argentina clawing their way into the final four, as they secured a 29-17 win over Wales. Ireland then once again fell in the quarter-finals, as their Rugby World Cup curse continues with a 28-24 defeat to the All Blacks. England then booked their spot in the final four with a dramatic 30-24 win over Fiji, and South Africa defeated France 28-29, in a truly unbelievable match to mark the end of the quarter-final stage.

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Here is RUCK's Team Of The Week for the Rugby World Cup Quarter Final weekend.

The top scoring rugby player of the 2023 calendar year, Thomas Ramos continued in his outstanding form for the quarter-final 'classique' against the Springboks. Having worked so hard to make Les Bleus' number 15 jersey his own, Ramos orchestrated the back-field's shape to halt the charging Springboks in Paris. A sharpshooter from the boot, Ramos slotted two conversions and three penalties to keep France's score-board climbing against the relentless Springbok opponents. Eventually on the losing side of the score-line, Ramos left it all on the pitch against the sensational South Africans.

A stunning performance by the Pumas winger, who's goal kicking was a key difference maker in this match. Sure the overall result was decided by Nicolas Sanchez' late winning try, but Boffelli kept Argentina in the match, as his metronomic kicking kept the scoreboard ticking over. The pick of the bunch was an almighty 55m effort, that halted Welsh momentum in it's tracks. Argentina entered the quarter-final clash as underdogs, but march on to the last four thanks to the efforts of Michael Cheika's magical right-winger.

With all eyes on Antoine Dupont's new headgear, the Rugby World Cup fans took their attention away from another magician in a scrum cap. Cheslin Kolbe put that to right, and burst into the Parisian night with searching runs from the get go. The electric Springboks' winger exploded onto Jessie Kriel's neat grubber kick into the back-field, and could not be caught by Damien Penaud for South Africa's second try. Kolbe worked well defensively too, and got the better of his opposite man, as Penaud had a quieter day for the most part. A key instigator in the Springbok's epic triumph, that wrapped up a phenomenal weekend of rugby.

With an honourable nod to Fijian captain Waisea Nayacalevu, we've gone for George North in the 13 jersey, who was Wales' best player in their losing effort against Argentina. North repeatedly split through the Pumas midfield, but was let down by the men in red around him. He played in Josh Adams for a try-scoring opportunity, yet the winger could not gather the pass. The Ospreys man made a key break in the run up to Dan Biggar's opening try, and was without a doubt Wales' best attacking option on the day, and throughout the Rugby World Cup.

Aki has been Andy Farrell's top performer at the Rugby World Cup, with this crushing defeat to the All Blacks being no different. Aki carried with intent each and every time, as he flew over the gain-line for a try at 26 minutes. He could not be stopped by thee All Blacks defenders, with two steps and an additional fend on Reiko Ioane, Shannon Frizell and Tyrel Lomax. Aki Levelled Keith Earl’s try-scoring record, with five Ireland tries in one tournament, as the New Zealand born centre showed great power, hot-stepping dummies and never stopped battling.

On the weekend that featured the end of Johnny Sexton's career, it was a tough call to select Owen Farrell over the iconic Irishman. However, had Farrell not been firing at the very top of his game, England could well have exited the Rugby World Cup against Fiji. An exquisite performance from his regular fly-half position, England's captain marched his side out and dictated the match from the boot. The Saracen imposed his physicality with strong dominant tackles, and nailed a Wilkinson-Ford esque drop goal on England's road to victory. Exciting signs from Farrell who gave a true captain’s contribution both in attack and defence. An honourable mention is also in order for France's Matthieu Jalibert.

The stage was set for Antoine Dupont, as the little magician pulled trick after trick from his newly donned scrum cap. Returning from a cheek-bone fracture for this do-or-die match against the Springboks, Dupont was in irresistible form, contributing key passes for try assists and constantly splitting the defence. Dupont's passing gave his halfback partner Matthieu Jalibert plentiful space to run the midfield, and the scrum-half also put in a seismic shift in defence with key tackles and sweeping coverage when the 'Boks broke into the back-field. Unfortunate to suffer defeat in the overall result, as France have to wait four more years for a shot at their first ever Rugby World Cup.

A stunning first half from the French loose-head, as Cyril Baille was a key contributor against the Springboks. Baille crossed over for two first half tries, with his first being a nice dive into the corner to ignite the high-octane match. The second score saw the prop finish off an expertly worked rolling maul, as a pack of 'Bok and blue bodies crashed over the line. Top tier scrummaging and a dangerous threat in the midfield, as Baille stamps his name amongst the world's best number ones.

The Argentina captain was phenomenal in his side's quarter-final triumph over Wales. The Leicester Tigers man is so consistent for club and country, he was a key driving force for Los Pumas as they reached the final four. Ever-present at the breakdown, Montoya bounced his way through the Wales back-line and sent Warren Gatland's men falling onto the back-foot. Eight tackles presented his defensive work-rate, when he wasn't emptying the tank in the scrum and orchestrating the rolling mauls.

The key cog of the All Blacks' front row, that got the better hand of the strongest man in world rugby. Lomax schooled Andrew Porter up-front, leading to the Leinster loose-head to give away three scrum penalties for not driving straight. These key kicking points were capitalised upon by Richie Mo'unga and Jordie Barrett, with Lomax getting the plaudits when the pack collapsed. Lomax was awesome against Ireland, and has steadily become Ian Foster's first-choice tight-head for the Rugby World Cup.

The pantomime villain in the Stade de France, the towering South African lock was booed relentlessly by the French fans after returning from the sin bin. Etzebeth led the Springbok's fight-back with monstrous carries and even harder hits, and made the day a tiresome one for Antoine Dupont and co. Etzebeth Scored a key try in the unbelievable quarter-final match, as he adopted a D.I.Y mentality to drive himself through a wall of blue defenders and over the try-line. A true gold and green gladiator, Etzebeth did not led the crown faze him and stood up for his 118th test match to lead his side to victory.

His best match for a very long time, as England march on to to the Rugby World Cup semi-finals. After showing signs of coming back to his top form in the pool stages, Itoje looks to have hit top gear against Fiji, as he did in time for the 2019 Rugby World Cup Final. He got the Marseille crowd on their feet with a stunning intercept and striding carry downfield after fending a tackler away. Exquisite chop tackles, racking up a total of 11 overall for the lock. Brilliant turnovers and leading by example, Itoje was back to his elite best.

Simply epic. Lawes had one of the games of his life on Borthwick’s blindside flank. Lawes flew into tackles from kick off, as England’s line-speed was something to marvel at. He ran for a chart-topping 13 carries, and gained a total of 72 metres with the ball-in-hand. Like Itoje, Lawes has gotten back to his very best in time for the pinnacle matches of his career. Excellent over the turnover, as came up with two key steals in the second half's more tense stages. Constantly offering an option in attack, Lawes was sublime today.

An immense contribution from the All Blacks captain. Sam Cane is back fully-fit and firing, and begun his quarter-final outing with an almighty hit on Caelan Doris. Presented the hits for his back-row teammates to get over for the turnovers, with Ireland's attack failing to fully click into their world-beating gear. Finished the match with a staggering 23 completed tackles, as a true standard bearer for the men in the black jerseys. A date with Argentina is on the horizon, with Cane salivating for the physical Pumas' challenge. Honourable mention to England's Tom Curry, who's 17 tackles saw him top the charts for the match with Fiji.

14 tackles. 11 carries. Simply awesome. Ben Earl was phenomenal against Fiji, and looked set to score the try of the tournament following his solo breakaway in the closing moments of the match. Quick over the break-down, Earl worked tirelessly to secure the turnovers, and had the entire England side whipped into a frenzy. Key turnovers, and a total of 130 metres made with the ball-in-hand, Earl had one of, if not his best day in an England shirt. Earl silenced all the selection queries after starting over number eight specialist Billy Vunipola, and continues to be a starring man in England's Rugby World Cup squad.

16. Peato Mauvaka (France)

17. Thomas Gallo (Argentina)

18. Finlay Bealham (Ireland)

19. Marcos Kremer (Argentina)

20. Ardie Savea (New Zealand)

21. Tomos Williams (Wales)

22. Johnny Sexton (Ireland)

23. Jordie Barrett (New Zealand)