The Rugby World Cup is over in France and Springboks captain Siya Kolisi has lifted the Webb Ellis Cup, sparking celebrations across the rainbow nation that will last for weeks .
The greatest rivalry in rugby – South Africa and New Zealand – provided a tense and thrilling final in Paris that worthy of the game’s biggest stage.
For Wallabies fans, this World Cup was a horror film with a shoddy plot. Eddie Jones has resigned and the Australian slate will be wiped clean for a new coach to start afresh.
It is time to complete the World Cup report card. As an advert for the game globally, it has been a memorable seven weeks. Here are some of the highlights.
Best fans
Ireland arrived in France as the top team in world rugby and their fans were swept up in the expectation that this could finally be their time to shine.
The Cranberries’ song Zombie was belted out after pool victories and Paris became a sea of green before games. The party abruptly stopped after the All Blacks defeated Ireland in the quarter-finals.
The Irish were matched for noise by the Argentina fans who travelled far and wide to support their team across France and a surprisingly large Portugal contingent brought plenty of colour, especially when they welcomed their team home to Lisbon airport in memorable scenes.
Biggest shock
More was expected from Georgia, who failed to deliver in the pool stages, but there were still surprises.
Every World Cup needs a shock and Portugal delivered it emphatically with a thrilling win over Fiji in Toulouse. Portugal matched the Fijians with exuberant and fearless running rugby, ultimately beating them at their own game.
Rodrigo Marta of Portugal scores a try against Fiji.Credit: Getty
An honourable mention goes to Uruguay, who put up a great performance against France before losing 27-12.
Best quote
‘In sport, we have the privilege – not the pressure – to inspire people.’
Springboks captain Siya Kolisi after winning the World Cup
South Africa’s Siya Kolisi lifts the World Cup.Credit: AP
“We come from different walks of life,” he continued. “What brings us together is our country, you need to come to South Africa to understand.
“We have a lot of problems, but it’s a beautiful country.”
Best try
We really were spoilt for choice in France.
For starters, there was Raffaele Storti’s miracle try for Portugal in the corner against Fiji and Mateo Carreras finished off an incredible piece of counter-attacking rugby for Argentina against Japan.
There is no perfect answer, but it is hard to look past All Blacks winger Will Jordan’s 80-metre effort against in the semi-final against Argentina as part of a memorable hat-trick.
Best game
There were some outstanding matches at this World Cup. France v New Zealand to start the tournament set the tone, with honourable mentions for South Africa v Ireland, Wales v Fiji and England v South Africa.
The pick of the tournament was France against South Africa in the quarter-finals. South Africa the abovementioned 13-8 loss to Ireland in Pool B, while the unbeaten French were playing in front of their adoring home crowd in Paris.
Cheslin Kolbe of South Africa consoles Romain Taofifenua of France after their quarter-final.Credit: Getty
The game had tries, drama and two masters of their craft competing until the last minute. A beautiful advertisement for rugby.
Biggest disappointment
The Wallabies arrived at Sydney airport resplendent in Akubras and tailored blazers, looking every inch the confident team ready to take on the world.
Coach Eddie Jones opted for youth, leaving veteran Wallabies like Quade Cooper and Michael Hooper at home. The gathered media were memorably told to give themselves uppercuts for having the temerity to question these omissions. It set the tone for a disastrous World Cup.
Tom Hooper after the Wallabies’ loss to Wales.Credit: AP
The Wallabies stuttered badly in France, registering wins against Portugal and Georgia, but losing to Wales and Fiji cost them a place in the quarter-finals for the first time ever. Jones resigned after presiding over the Wallabies’ worst World Cup yet.
Best back story
Portugal captain and centre Tomas Appleton led his team brilliantly during the tournament, but there is more to the man than hard tackles and offloads.
Tomas Appleton clears the ball against Australia.Credit: Getty
Outside of rugby commitments internationally and for his club in Lisbon, Appleton is a dentist who owns his own clinic that specialises in plastic dental surgery.
The ultimate utility man.
Player of the tournament
New Zealand’s Will Jordan was the top try scorer in the tournament with eight, and will be disappointed not to break the World Cup record, especially when he missed a golden opportunity for Richie Mo’unga to send him over the line against Argentina in the semi-final.
South Africa also had brilliant performers throughout the tournament with second-rower Eben Etzebeth and Cheslin Kolbe lighting up his team from the wing.
Ardie Savea celebrates the All Blacks’ win over Ireland in the World Cup quarter-finals.Credit: AP
In a tournament of stars, it is hard to look past All Blacks No.8 Ardie Savea. In the quarter-final against Ireland, he completely outplayed his opposite number Caelan Doris and, after his captain Sam Cane was red-carded in the final, he nearly led All Blacks to an unlikely win. An outstanding competitor who shone brightest in France.
A star emerges
Portugal breakaway Nicolas Martins had a fantastic tournament, managing to stand out in a team of fleet-footed backs renowned for their running rugby.
He was raised in France and plays in the country’s second division, but always wanted to represent Portugal in memory of his Portuguese grandfather.
Portugal’s Nicolas Martins applauds the fans after playing Australia.Credit: Getty
He will have a number of clubs from across the globe interested in him after finishing the World Cup with 63 tackles, only missing three in the tournament. A tireless competitor who stood up against some of the giants of the game.
Nerves of steel
South Africa’s Handre Pollard didn’t even make the original 33-man Springboks squad, but when he was called up to replace the injured hooker Malcolm Marx, he made it count when he appeared on the field
Pollard was lethal from the tee, kicking 33 points during the tournament and not missing once.
Handre Pollard kicks the winning penalty for South Africa against England from over 50 metres.Credit: Getty
Although he played his part in the final, kicking all of his team’s points, his finest moment arguably came in the semi when they were trailing against England 15-13 after 77 minutes.
