The 1st week of the much anticipated Rugby world cup has come to an end with some enthralling rugby being put on display over the last 7 days.
With the conclusion of 13 matches since the opening ceremony we have seen all 20 teams take to the field playing some of the best rugby the World has seen.Over the course of the 13 games we have seen an accumulated attendance of over 650,000 fans with 664 points being scored including an immense 74 tries. Amongst all the high intensity rugby a few players have stood tall above the rest.
Ayumu Gorumaru – definitely a player who many would not have expected to make this list a week ago. Gorumaru has been one of the star players for Japan having been a key feature in Japan’s historic 32-34 win over South Africa on Saturday. Gorumaru currently tops the point scorer’s list having accumulated 29 points including 1 try, 3 conversions and six penalties. His mercurial presence in the backline sparked many a Japanese attack having broken the gain line on 6 occasions, carrying the ball for 127m. He has also been firm in his defense having made 6 tackles including a few last ditch try savers. Gorumaru’s accuracy with the boot has been crucial to the Japanese game. He will have to maintain his form if Japan wish to scrape through to the quarter finals.
Cory Allen – The big Welshman has had only 50 minutes of rugby so far but has certainly made his mark. Allen currently tops the try scorers list having run in a hat-trick of tries thus far. His presence in the mid-field has been phenomenal having broken the gain line on 4 separate occasions. Allen has carried the ball a total of 61m for the Welsh whilst maintaining a 100% tackle record. Allen will be key to Wales success in the tough games to come and will have to remain dominant if Wales are to topple England or Australia to make through to the quarter finals.
David Pocock – the omnipresent Wallaby back rower who has seemed to have moved into the unfamiliar number 8 jersey has definitely been one of the star performers for the men in gold over the years. Pocock has run in 2 tries whilst breaking the gain line on 6 occasions carrying for 21 metres. He has also made 14 tackles with a 93% success rate and has maneuvered 5 turnovers for his team. Pocock’s work rate has been unparalleled thus far in the tournament.
Sonny Bill Williams – Coming off the bench in 50th minute against the pumas, Williams turned the game on its head giving the All Blacks the boost they needed to take the game in the end. His considerable presence in centerfield in both defense and attack has given the selectors a much-welcomed problem of deciding who should don the number 12 jersey going forward. Williams has broken the gain line on 10 separate occasions and has made 55m with the ball in hand, but his most important statistic would have to be the 4 miraculous offloads he has thrown setting up players around him.
Michael Leitch – the Japanese skipper has been one of the revelations of the tournaments so far. His undying work rate coupled with his power has been incredible for the brave blossoms. He has lead his team from the front having broken the gain line a massive 17 times having made 68 metres with the ball in hand and scored one try. Leitch has also made 26 tackles with a success rate of 90%.
Mike Brown – Brown was perhaps the only English player who went all 80 minutes of the opening game in top gear. He managed to run in 2 spectacular tries while breaking the gain line on 4 separate occasions making 191 metres for the host nation. He also made 11 tackle busts and 2 offloads in the solitary game England have played so far. Brown has maintained a 100% tackle success rate and was well positioned at the back ready to counter attack where ever possible. He will be one of the key players for the hosts if they are to go all the way in the tournament.
Nicholas Sanchez – Sanchez sits second on the overall point scorer’s list with a total of 26 points in two games. He has knocked over 5 penalties, 4 conversions and the only dropped goal of the tournament thus far. He has also made 19 tackles and broken the gain-line 4 times having made 73 meters with the ball in hand having made two crucial offloads. Sanchez was one of the top performers for the pumas against the All Blacks as he controlled the game very well from the number 10 berth. His kicking out of hand was immaculately accurate gaining much needed territory against the defending champions.
With 13 matches already done and dusted 35 enthralling encounters remain in the tournament before we will find out who will take home the ultimate prize in World rugby, and we can expect to see many more players put their hands up and show off their skills while carrying their team to glory.
