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| From Rugby15.co.za |
2. Luke Cowan-Dickie (ENG)
3. Chris Taylor (IRE)
4. Irne Herbst (SA)
5. Patrick Tuipulotu (NZ)
6. Joesph Edwards (NZ)
7. Ardie Savea (NZ)
8. Jack Clifford (ENG)
9. Stefan Ungerer (SA)
10. Sam Davies (WAL)
11. Seabelo Senatla (SA)
12. Michael Collins (NZ)
13. Tom Farrell (IRE)
14. Rory Scholes (IRE)
15. Hallam Amos (WAL)
16. Christopher Tolofua (FRA)
17. Peter Dooley (IRE)
18. Nicky Thomas (WAL)
19. Tomas Lavarini (ARG)
20. Ellis Jenkins (WAL)
21. Rhodri Williams (WAL)
22. Patricio Fernandez (ARG)
23. Jordan Williams (WAL)
Front Row
The northern hemisphere dominated the scrums, with Ireland in particular having 2 front rows and gained 5 metres consistently against New Zealand, Australia, Fiji and France. Ed Byrne was the most prominent loosehead in the loose, and contributed to a strong scrum. Luke Cowan-Dickie was a revelant for rugby reasons as well as his hair, and while Adam Boland was outstanding against Australia, he only had one game to push for selection.
Second Row
Both Herbst and Tuipulotu were two of the most impressive pack members on show. Both carried a lot, and scored vital tries.
Back Row
One of the hardest places to call with some huge competition. Joseph Edwards was phenomenal carrying and supporting in attack, while being solid in defense. Curtis Browning was by a distance Australia's best, but wasn't close enough. Savea and Clifford both played fantastic and were great leaders. Deserved nominees for the Player of the Year title. Mentions for Steenkamp and Dan Leavy (a contender for next year),
Scrumhalf
While I believe that Luke McGrath is the best scrumhalf on show( bias), I don't think he had a great tournament by his standards. Ungerer controlled things for South Africa, while Williams service to Davies was outstanding.
Outhalf
Sam Davies was the outstanding candidate and is a class act, while Patricio Fernandez was outstanding for Argentina. Mallet (France), Slade, Crosbie and Simon Hickey were next in line, but a distance away.
Centres:
Michael Collins was the best centre on show, with Sam Hill a great back up 12. Collins ran most effectively, and outshone the more heralded Jason Emery outside him. There wasn't and outstanding outside centre, but with Farrell proving a threat in attack and a handful at the breakdown, he gets me nod by default.
Back Three:
By a huge distance the hardest choice. With Fuatai, Ashley Evans Williams, Cordero, Watson, Nowell, Kolbe, Obi and Ben Howard showing up extremely well. In the end, I went for the devastating Senatla, from the Blitzbokke sevens, who was top try scorer, with huge pace, while Rory Scholes was Ireland's best player, with two tries in the pool stages and showing up with some decisive defensive contributions. Hallam Amos was the pick of the Welsh back three, the youngest of them, with at least one more year at this level, he will be a contender for IRB player of the year next year.
