The World Cup was a scintillating affair from start to finish. SA Rugby magazine looks at some of the incredible individual efforts on display.
RWC XV: Forwards of the tournament
69 – Bok flyhalf Handre Pollard finished as top points-scorer as he kept his nerve off the tee. He also ended as the player with the most-successful penalty kicks converted (16).
410 – The home crowd had plenty to cheer about and so did wing Kotaro Matsushima. He gained over 400 metres, scored five tries and bagged himself a hat-trick too.
24 – Manu Tuilagi helped England to the final with his bruising style of play. He made 24 dominant carries to go with 80 rucks hit; no backline player attended more breakdowns.
28 – The All Blacks were shocked by England but centre Anton Lienert-Brown’s form was consistent throughout. He beat 28 defenders and with 284m made was the leading carrier in his class.
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29 – Fiji are known for their powerful, racy wingers and Semi Radradra is no different. His team were out in the group stages but he still beat 29 defenders in four games – a tournament record.
7 – Richie Mo’unga was a little flat in his side’s semi-final defeat but the All Blacks flyhalf still enjoyed a good event. He made seven offloads, the most of any No 10 in Japan, and beat 17 defenders.
293 – Welsh scrumhalf Gareth Davies was the top No 9 if you look at the numbers of 293m made and 13 defenders beaten.
219 – Another Japanese success story as Kazuki Himeno gained over 200m, the only forward to do so in the tournament.
11 – Tipped to be the downfall of the Boks, Maro Itoje didn’t replicate his tournament form in the final. Still he ended with 11 turnovers, which is five better than the next best.
49 – The All Blacks’ Joe Moody was one of two props to score in Japan but his tackle success rate – 96% with a total of 49 tackles made – was a standout performance. He didn’t concede a single scrum penalty.
