WORLD XV CUP

AFTER SEVEN FRANTIC WEEKS OF WORLD CUP ACTION, WE HAVE PICKED THE FORM TEAM FROM THE TOURNAMENT.

Joe Moody New Zealand

World Cups must be big Joe’s thing as he played pretty well in 2015, too. Found his running game and his work against South Africa and Ireland was exceptional. He carried with impact and he spent the tournament on his feet, tackling and cleaning out. Scrummaged pretty well, too.

Shota Horie Japan

The Japanese hooker was a ball of energy who typically played for 70 minutes-plus. Handled the ball a silly number of times and for a relatively small man, his bravery was exceptional in the way he managed to recycle possession so quickly. A livewire who made life fun.

Kyle Sinckler England

You can’t help but wonder whether the nal would have turned out di erently had Kyle Sinkler not been concussed in the rst minute. He was one of the most dynamic tight-heads in Japan and gave England the ball carrying impetus they were after.

Set the benchmark for mobility among the big men.

Maro Itoje England

He pretty much cleaned up the All Blacks on his own such was his presence at the lineout and breakdown in the semi- nal. Wore No 4 and played like a lock when he needed to do the nasty bits and then played like a loose forward at the breakdown.

A colossal talent.

James Moore Japan

Australian-born James Moore showed up well for Japan and never went backwards despite being part of a pack that was considerably smaller than everyone they played.

Was abrasive and committed, won his lineout ball and played at an incredible pace. A big star of the future.

Tom Curry England

This young guy had an enormous tournament and if England had won the nal, he’d have been World Player of the Year.

Wore No 6 but played like a second openside to the equally impressive Sam Underhill.

Was a major in uence over the ball and gave England the breakdown presence they have been looking for.

Pieter-Steph du Toit South Africa

Deservedly voted World Player of the Year after a huge tournament and a huge year. Was always on hand to carry the ball, scored a solo try against the

All Blacks and was the stand out forward in the nal. Was singled out for special praise by Steve Hansen so must have played well.

Kieran Read New Zealand

Read wins his place ahead of big e orts from Duane Vermeulen and Billy Vunipola. And he wins it for the courage he showed in defence and the way he bounced back after the semi- nal loss.

He was full of running all tournament, fronted in the nasty stu and made some telling passes. And, oh yeah, this is a tribute issue to him so of course he makes it.

Faf de Klerk South Africa

There couldn’t be any other choice for the No 9 jersey. Aaron Smith played well but Faf de Klerk was the star of the Boks team. His energy was infectious.

His ability to be a nuisance was relentless and he passed and kicked with the sort of accuracy that made the Boks so hard to play against. And his willingness to scrap for everything was inspirational.

Handre Pollard South Africa

Handre Pollard didn’t bring the same level of running power to the World Cup as Richie Mo’unga but he brought a greater tactical control and in uence.

Pollard was steady and reliable. He stuck to the gameplan, kicked his goals in the nal and tackled hard. It was a big e ort.

Kenki Fukuoka Japan

Japan had two of the best wings in the competition with Kotaro Matsushima on the right quite the handful as well.

Fukuoka had pace, elusiveness to compensate for his lack of size and he also had an innate sense of timing that saw him delay his approach to the ball and leave defenders guessing. Looked capable of scoring almost every time he was involved.

Damien de Allende South Africa

Really came into his own in the nal two games where he was a mix of brute strength and subtlety.

Knew when to duck his head down and smash over the gainline and when to have his eyes up and use his footwork and passing game. Scored a critical try against Wales in the semi- nal.

Anton LienertBrown New Zealand

Proved once again that he’s a rare talent with a rare ability to nd space in a crowded part of the eld.

Never seems to get lost during a game and has the ability to beat defenders and make things happen without seemingly doing much.

One of the few mid elders in the world game who can shift e ortlessly between 12 and 13.

Cheslin Kolbe South Africa

Started the tournament with a miraculous performance against the

All Blacks where he was almost impossible to tackle.

Finished it with a solo try in the nal where he stepped past the defence as if they weren’t there.

Small but deadly, Kolbe is probably the best nisher on the planet.

Beauden Barrett New Zealand

He went missing a bit in the semi- nal but Beauden Barrett was brilliant otherwise. He ripped South Africa apart in the rst game and damaged Ireland pretty badly too before slicing through Wales a couple of times.

Such an all round talent and speed machine.