Now that the dust has settled on what became arguably the best Rugby World Cup to date, I feel it’s time to highlight those who have made a lasting impression on me and possibly others with their efforts at this year’s
Picking a RWC 2015 Dream Team is never easy and this one in particular, is no exception. In every position, there have been some outstanding performers, making each selection all the more challenging. However, difficult decisions have to be made in life and that’s certainly the case here. This team has been picked from my own accord and nobody else’s. Whether or not you agree with my selection that is your own prerogative and your own personal view.
So here is my team of the tournament for the 2015 Rugby World Cup. Remember, these players have been picked on merit and by their overall involvement in the competition. My selection has been based on how many matches each player has played in, their contribution in all these matches and how each player has shown their importance to his team, as the tournament progressed. I will be explaining why I chose each player and why I think they are deserving of their place in this team. I will also be mentioning those who just missed out on making the team, which will demonstrate just how tough it was for me to select the best fifteen players that performed honourably at the Rugby World Cup.
Rugby World Cup 2015 Dream Team:
1. Loose Head Prop – Scott Sio (Australia)
He did his basic duties extremely well. If it wasn’t for his scrummaging exploits, the Wallabies would not have topped the ‘pool of death’. His importance to Australia was in evidence in their Semi-final against Argentina. Los Pumas took apart the Wallaby scrum, a match which Sio missed through injury. Up until that Semi-final, the scrum was a real strength for Australia where Sio really proved his worth.
Honourable mention: Marcos Ayerza (Argentina)
2. Hooker – Dane Coles (New Zealand)
Had the most lineouts won with 56, which became a huge asset for the All Blacks as they looked to play at a high tempo. His improvement in the scrum was evident and it was a key factor to New Zealand’s game plan in having a solid set piece. He showed some nice touches in open play, demonstrating his abilities with ball in hand to good effect. Played in all but one of New Zealand’s fixtures and was a vital part of the All Blacks’ title defence.
Honourable mention: Stephen Moore (Australia)
3. Tight Head Prop – Ramiro Herrera (Argentina)
Where do these Argentinians get their props from? Rodrigo Roncero, Omar Hasan and Martin Scelzo have all made a name for themselves in previous world cups and now it seems Herrera is keen to do the same. A block of a man, his scrummaging technique is right up there with the best in the world. He was the cornerstone of a Pumas pack that set the foundation for their exciting backs to play some scintillating rugby throughout the tournament.
Honourable Mention: Rabah Slimani (France)
4. Lock – Tomas Lavanini (Argentina)
What an impact the 22 year old made at the Rugby World Cup. Making the most lineout steals and most carries by an Argentina forward, Lavanini is a great example of what a modern day lock should possess if they want to be a top player. With two tries to his name, including one against the All Blacks, Lavanini is only going to get better. A great future awaits the young man.
Honourable mention: Iain Henderson (Ireland)
5. Lock – Brodie Retallick (New Zealand)
Another one of the youthful modern day locks who are making quite the impression on the world stage. Last years’ World Player of the Year took a while to get into the swing of things, but when he did, he got stronger as the tournament progressed. Made the most lineout steals, tackled courageously and loves showing what he can do when he gets his big mits on the ball.
Honourable mention: Rob Simmons (Australia)
6. Blindside Flanker – Michael Leitch (Japan)
He was one of the many players to stand out for a Japan side that captured the hearts of everyone (except for South Africa) at the world cup. Japan’s captain led from the front with his carries over the gain line and ferocious tackling. With the game plan coach Eddie Jones wanted Japan to implement on the field, Leitch was the glue that held it all together for that to happen.
Honourable mention: Schalk Burger (South Africa)
7. Openside Flanker – Francois Louw (South Africa)
An underrated player in my book. Francois Louw was incredible every chance he got to pull on the Springbok jersey. At the breakdown, he was only bested by Australia’s David Pocock. When it came to the tackle count though, there was only one winner. Louw made an amazing 77 tackles, the most of any player. He was part of a very strong back row outfit for the Springboks, with Schalk Burger and Duane Vermuelen roaming the fields with ball in hand and allowing Louw to do what he does best.
Honourable mention: Michael Hooper (Australia)
8. Number Eight – David Pocock (Australia)
How this guy hasn’t won the World Rugby Player of the Year award in any of the occasions he’s been nominated, is beyond me. As he stands over the ruck with that hulking physique he possesses, he simple has no equal. He’s become the breakdown kingpin. He’s brought rucking to the next level, with his crab-like technique over the ball. A very hard man to shift when he gets into the right position to make the steal at the ruck, as most teams found out throughout the tournament. With 17 turnovers, 59 tackles and 3 tries to his name, Pocock has made back row play an art form and my opinion, was the player of the tournament.
Honourable mention: Duane Vermuelen (South Africa)
9. Scrum-half – Fourie du Preez (South Africa)
With his precision passing and accurate kicking, this little man has it all. He took over the captaincy from Jean de Villiers without hesitation. He showed outstanding leadership, while orchestrating his team around the field very well indeed. He gave some quality service at the base of the ruck and made big decisions in pressure situations. Scored a match winning try in the Quarter-finals against Wales, showing us all that he’s still got it at 33 years of age.
Honourable mention: Greig Laidlaw (Scotland)
10. Fly-half – Dan Carter (New Zealand)
In a way, this was the hardest selection of the lot. But ultimately, I think I’ve picked the right man for the job. There were doubts over the last four years as to whether he could reach the pinnacle of the game again. Those doubts were put to bed the moment the competition commenced. In each game that Carter played in, he got better and his performance level grew. In the knockout rounds, Carter really proved his worth. He dictated the tempo that the All Blacks wanted to play with and when times got tough for New Zealand, he was the man that got them back on track. His display in the final was one that all but confirmed the newly crowned World Rugby Player of the Year as the greatest fly half of them all. The perfect 10.
Honourable mention: Bernard Foley (Australia)
11. Wing – Julian Savea (New Zealand)
The tournament’s top try scorer really came alive in the knockout stages, with a hat-trick against France in the Quarter-finals being the big highlight of the competition. The try that clinched his treble won try of the tournament, reminding us of a certain Jonah Lomu, as he bumped off attempted tacklers to crash over the white line. He was a huge threat in the All Blacks attacking armoury, attracting defenders left, right and centre and creating space for others around him.
Honourable mention: DTH Van Der Merwe (Canada)
12. Centre – Matt Giteau (Australia)
The decision by Michael Cheika to select overseas players proved the right one with some great performances from some certain individuals. None more so than Matt Giteau. He was a key member of Australia’s magnificent run towards the final. Displayed that wonderful cut-out pass that we’ve grown to love about his play and showed great discipline in defence, putting his body on the line time and time again. He brought a real calmness to the Wallaby back line, making use of the wealth of experience he has in his locker to full effect.
Honourable mention: Ma’a Nonu (New Zealand)
13. Centre – Conrad Smith (New Zealand)
Does this man ever have a bad game? His consistency over the last three-four years with the Hurricanes and the All Blacks has been remarkable. Great in attack, brilliant in defence and has a rugby brain that Einstein would be envious of. He makes the right decisions at the right times, which probably became his greatest asset because he very rarely made a mistake. New Zealand will have a huge task trying to find an ideal replacement for Smith in the future. Flawless!
Honourable mention: Ciaran Hearn (Canada)
14. Wing – Nehe Milner-Skudder (New Zealand)
The newly crowned Breakthrough Player of the Year brings a nice balance to the All Blacks’ wing. While Savea has the power and strength, Milner-Skudder has the guile and speed. Finishing the tournament in second place with 6 tries, showing natural flair when he gets his hands on the ball. That right foot step of his is predictably perfect. A joy to watch.
Honourable mention: Adam Ashley-Cooper (Australia)
15. Full Back – Ben Smith (New Zealand)
He’s safe as houses under a high ball and a well-balanced runner when in possession of a rugby ball. Like his name sake Conrad, he doesn’t make many errors. Whether it’s in attack or defence, Smith always seems to pick the right options with a pass or a kick. His Semi-final performance against the Springboks on a rain-soaked Twickenham pitch was a masterful exhibition of full back play in the most difficult of conditions. A classic example of how New Zealand does the basics so well in the most pressured of environments. The world’s best full back.
Honourable mention: Ayuma Goromaru (Japan)
So there you have it. That’s my team of the tournament for the Rugby World Cup 2015. As I said before, this is my own selection and there were some tough calls throughout when picking the best players in each position. Judging by the difficulty I’ve had in selecting the best fifteen players, just shows you what a wonderful tournament this year’s world cup has been. The fact that each team played with attacking intent from the first whistle to the last, explains it all really.
I would like to finish by saying what a tremendous job the RFU and England as a whole has done in helping to create one of the best sporting events in recent times. Even though the England rugby team didn’t do as well as they would have hoped, they should still be hugely satisfied and proud of the effort put in by everyone involved throughout the entire campaign. Rugby is certainly making great strides in world sport and fact that next world cup will be held in Japan, tells you about the vast progression that is being made in rugby union. Roll on 2019.
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