Rugby World Cup: With Ramos, Mufaka, Itzeth or Jordan, discover our model team
By defeating New Zealand after a huge battle, South Africa put an end to a high-profile World Cup. Who are the best players in this World Cup? Who led his team to the top? Have world rugby stars reached their status? After extensive discussions, the Parisien-Aujourd’hui en France editorial board brings you the exemplary 15th edition of this World Cup.
15. Thomas Ramos (France)
With the possibility of two more matches to be played should we qualify for the semi-finals, the Toulouse full-back might well have finished as the competition’s top scorer. The Frenchman scored 74 points, just one less than Owen Farrell. He is still ahead of Emiliano Bovelli, Jonathan Sexton and Richie Monga.
Also cited: Damien Willemse (AFS), Beauden Barrett (New Zealand), Hugo Keenan (Ireland).
14. Will Jordan (New Zealand)
The All Black came close to becoming history’s top scorer in a single World Cup. With eight attempts, the winger still joins Brian Habana (2007), Jonah Lomu (1999) and Julian Savea (2015). Just that. However, it did not affect the final match.
It will also witness: Rodrigo Marta (Portugal), Mateo Carreras (Argentina), Damien Benaud (France).
13. Jordie Barrett (New Zealand)
The three-quarter position produced an absolutely stunning final stage. A defensive mentor and center for his team’s play, however, the latest of the Barrett brothers came within the penalty of delivering the title to the All Blacks. However, he will have to wait for his first world title.
Also mentioned: Gary Ringrose (IRL).
12. Bondi Aki (IRL)
The Irishman was true to himself and was unstoppable. With 81 runs, 10 hacks and 5 tries in just five matches, the position has largely established itself in our team, despite the elimination of XV du Trèfle in the quarter-finals. He has been nominated by World Rugby for the 2023 Player of the Year award.
Also cited: Damian de Allende (AFS), Pedro Bettencourt (Portugal).
11. Cheslin Colby (AFS)
After losing momentum at the club for several seasons, the former Stade Toulouse and Toulon player found his former feet in this World Cup. Rotating, the South African threw his weight at the opposition defences, especially in the quarter-final against the Blues with a quick try. Also valuable defensively in the final.
Also cited: Mark Tilia (New Zealand), Emiliano Bovelli (Argentina).
10. Richie Mo’unga (New Zealand)
A situation where the votes were split: the New Zealand fly-half won by a short header ahead of Owen Farrell and Handre Pollard, evidence that there was no consensus on the fly-half. Mu’unga impressed with his ability to take risks and his attacking appetite, but we will also remember that he missed the crucial conversion in the final, after a top-level performance, both with foot and ball in hand. Only the title is missing to complete the World Cup.
Also cited: Owen Farrell (ANG), Handre Pollard (AFS), Jonathan Sexton (IRL).
9. Aaron Smith (New Zealand)
The All Black Haka leader also led his team perfectly on the field. He was very accurate in his role as a pacer, and also found his punch to score a fine try against Argentina in the semi-final. The player in the final was denied a striker at the start of the match. He took advantage of the poor results of his main rivals, most notably Antoine Dupont, to slip to 15th place.
Also cited: Antoine Dupont (FRA), Faf de Klerk (AFS).
8. Ardi Savea (New Zealand)
“Dragster,” Jean-Baptiste Elisaldi told us when introducing the third row. The New Zealander has lived up to his reputation. He is also the person who has completed the most races during this World Cup. Captain at the start of the competition, Ardie Savea is logically one of the favorites to be named World Rugby Player of the Year.
Also cited: Gregory Aldrete (FRA), Duane Vermeulen (AFS).
7. Peter Steve du Toit (AFS)
His final sums up the World Cup perfectly. The South African is an incredible warrior. Against New Zealand, the winger made 28 tackles, which is a very impressive total. The 2019 FIFA World Player of the Year, who is distinguished by his agility with the ball in his hand, was especially valuable in winning this second title in a row.
Also cited: Charles Ollivon (FRA), Kaylan Doris (IRL), Ben Earl (ENG).
6. Siya Kolisi (AFS)
The Springboks’ skipper, as in 2019, was an impenetrable leader. The true spirit of this team, the new Racing 92 player achieved the World Cup at an amazing level for a player who underwent knee surgery at the end of April.
Also cited: Shannon Frizell (NZ), Tom Curry (ANG), Levani Bhutia (FIFA).
5. Scott Barrett (New Zealand)
The New Zealander has been in the balance with James Ryan for a long time, but in the end we were leaning towards the World Cup finalist. The giant, who made 53 tackles in the current World Cup, spent his time cleaning up the opposition defence. Strong and successful competition.
Also cited: James Ryan (IRL), Franco Mostert (AFS), Maro Itoje (ANG).
4. Ibn Etzbeth (AFS)
The South African is the only one to receive unanimous support within our editorial team. Tenacious in defence, daring in attack, the former Toulon player sacrificed several times in order to save his team, flirting with a yellow card. But everything went his way during this World Cup.
3. France Malerbe (AFS)
In his third World Cup final, the right post maintained his impressive form. Extremely powerful in conquest and mobilization, Malherbe largely imposed his force and participated in the actions of destroying the South African attackers.
Also cited: Owiny Atonyo (FRA), Tadhg Furlong (IRL).
2. Beto Mofaka (France)
The Toulouse man is starting to occupy second place in the hierarchy, behind Julien Marchand, and has finally taken over his starting place perfectly. Rotating for the hooker, the Frenchman pushed opposition defenses often, especially against South Africa. However, that was not enough.
Also cited: Bongi Mbonambi (AFS).
1. Stephen Kitschoff (AFS)
A second title and a second XXL World Cup for the Stormers’ left column. With his counterpart France Malherbe, the former Bordeaux player continued to press through the opposition’s forward lines, winning countless penalty kicks in the midfield. Also useful for scratching although some penalties are waived.
Also cited: Andrew Porter (Ireland), Cyril Bailey (France).
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