In the Rugby World Cup Semi Finals: Team of the Week with Standout Players
In the Rugby World Cup, the count of missed tackles might appear high. But when you consider that many of the players charging forward were primarily focused on closing down space. It doesn’t truly reflect their impressive defensive performance. Maintaining composure, England found themselves in a situation where they had to win their game against Fiji twice. Despite initially building a seemingly comfortable 14-point lead, Steve Borthwick might be concerned by Fiji’s swift response, leveling the game with a couple of quick tries just ten minutes before the final whistle.
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However, what was encouraging was England’s response to this setback. With the momentum swinging in Fiji’s favor, England’s pack showed resilience, gaining ground and allowing captain Owen Farrell to coolly slot a drop goal. A few minutes later, they secured a crucial penalty, extending their lead to six points, which ultimately sealed the game.
As they prepare to face the formidable South Africa, England knows they need to maintain concentration throughout the full 80 minutes. Yet, having faced such pressure and responded effectively, this experience will undoubtedly prove invaluable.
Following a series of outstanding Rugby World Cup quarter finals that witnessed the advancement of Argentina, New Zealand, England, and South Africa to the final four, we’ve compiled our Team of the Week. Ireland’s Hugo Keenan, despite their loss, delivered another fantastic performance, showing his remarkable skills on the field.
This selection features strong representation from the four teams that progressed, although some players from the losing sides also earned their spots through exceptional individual efforts.
Key Players in the Rugby World Cup Semi Final Matches
Beauden Barrett (New Zealand): He was often subjected to scrutiny during this Rugby World Cup Semifinals cycle. But proved his worth in the recent match. The most experienced of the Barretts excelled in the backfield, managing this area with expertise. He frequently joined the attacking line and showcased his skill with well-placed kicks over the defensive line. His remarkable speed and athleticism, combined with his rugby intelligence.
Emiliano Boffelli (Argentina): The winger found his kicking form after an early miss, ultimately contributing 16 points. Including a remarkable long-range penalty. In open play, his exceptional aerial skills were a highlight, making this a memorable and crucial performance for Argentina in RWC. Jesse Kriel (South Africa): Kriel’s Test performances have been consistently improving, and this was undoubtedly his best yet. His defensive presence was felt all over the field, where he consistently put his body on the line. His perfectly executed grubber kick to set up Cheslin Kolbe exemplified his outstanding weekend. England’s Joe Marchant also deserves recognition for his strong outing against Fiji.
Bundee Aki (Ireland): Aki has arguably been the standout player of the Rugby World Cup Semi Finals tournament thus far, and he reaffirmed his excellence with another stellar performance, including a try against his country of birth. His carrying ability sets him apart, but even his remarkable efforts couldn’t keep Ireland in the competition. He gets the nod over All Blacks hero Jordie Barrett.
Cheslin Kolbe (South Africa): Kolbe delivered one of his finest performances in the green and gold jersey. His determination was evident when he charged down a conversion attempt, a crucial play in the Rugby World Cup Finals match. Kolbe also scored a try, showcasing his dynamic playmaking abilities whenever he had possession. This was a monumental performance from a star player.
Quarter Finals Curse Strikes Again: Ireland vs. New Zealand Showdown
After an exciting weekend of the Rugby World Cup quarter finals. We delve into five noteworthy trends. Two Cents Rugby takes a closer look. Quarter Final Curse Revisited The clash between Ireland and New Zealand was always anticipated as a nail-biter. Ireland, the world’s top-ranked team on a remarkable 17-game winning streak, found themselves once again exiting the tournament at the quarter-finals stage.
New Zealand entered the Rugby World Cup Semi Finals as slight underdogs but showcased excellence in crucial aspects of the game. Their dominance in the breakdown and lineout set them apart, exposing vulnerabilities in the Irish lineout. New Zealand’s lineout performance was pristine, going eight for eight in their throws. All Blacks also excelled at the ruck, securing turnovers through players.
The end of this incredible Irish run might not bring much joy to fans, although some may relish it. While Irish supporters might take solace in the fact that this match could easily have been a final in its own right.
As is typical after an RWC, Ireland will experience a changing of the guard. Senior players like Johnny Sexton are likely to step aside for the upcoming generation. Fans from all nations will be hoping for a more balanced draw in 2027, avoiding scenarios where the top four teams all land on one side of the tournament.
Impactful Pumas Bench Argentina staged an impressive comeback against Wales after being 10 points behind. A crucial factor in the Pumas’ resurgence was the impact of their experienced substitutes, who scored both of their tries.
Joel Sclavi, the imposing prop, entered the fray in the 67th minute and burrowed over the try line just a minute later. Then, veteran Nicolas Sanchez intercepted a pass from the Welsh youngster Sam Costelow, against Argentina.
2023 Rugby World Cup Quarter-Finals Recap: Pumas and All Blacks Shine
In the intense Rugby World Cup quarter finals, several notable trends emerged that shaped the thrilling weekend’s action. Let’s see the aspects:
Pumas’ Bench Impact: Argentina displayed resilience by staging a comeback from a 10-point deficit against Wales in their quarter-final clash. A significant part of the Pumas’ resurgence was attributed to their experienced bench, with substitutes contributing significantly. Joel Sclavi, a robust prop, made a pivotal impact just minutes after entering the field. Veteran Nicolas Sanchez sealed the victory with an intercept against Welsh youngster Sam Costelow.
RWC Quarter Final Curse Strikes Again: The highly anticipated match between Ireland and New Zealand witnessed the Rugby World Cup quarter final curse striking once more. Despite Ireland’s status as the number one team globally and an impressive 17-game winning streak, they were eliminated at this stage. All Blacks’ Key Areas: The game-winning moment arrived after an astounding 37 phases of defense, with Sam Whitelock making the call.
Irish rugby is poised for a transition as senior players like Johnny Sexton make way for the new generation. Fans hope for more balanced draws in future World Cups to avoid top teams clashing early in the tournament. South Africa secured a victory over the formidable French side on their home turf, South Africa needed an exceptional performance.
Seven South African players achieved double-figure tackle counts, including Jesse Kriel and Damian de Allende in the backs and several forwards, such as Frans Malherbe and Pieter-Steph du Toit. As the Rugby World Cup Semi Finals approach, the impact of bench players. The key strengths in different facets of the game.
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