Ardao, Niniashvili, Storti, star in tier-two team of the tournament
This Rugby World Cup has lost momentum at times, yet Portugal’s last-minute victory against the high-flying Fijians provided a fitting end to a breakthrough tournament for tier-two nations.
“We are starting to see the lines blur between tier-one and tier-two, which is brilliant,” England lock Maro Itoje admitted before Samoa almost caused the shock of the tournament.
Despite only Fiji making the quarter-finals out of those not competing in either the Six Nations or Rugby Championship, new stars have emerged on the biggest stage of all.
In this light, who would make a tier-two team of the World Cup (including Japan)?
15. Baltazar Amaya (Uruguay)
One cog of a menacing Uruguayan back-line, Amaya stunned a buoyant home crowd as he glided through the French defence with ease to propel Los Teros back into contention in Lille.
The powerful fullback also touched down on two occasions as Uruguay secured a deserved 36-26 victory against Namibia.
14. Davit Niniashvili (Georgia)
The dazzling footwork of the face of Georgian rugby most certainly lived up to the pre-tournament hype.
Having already starred on French soil for Top 14 club Lyon, Niniashvili carried an astonishing 425m – 50m more than next-best Darcy Graham – and demonstrated his electric running ability in spectacular fashion with a weaving try from 40m out against Wales.
13. Waisea Nayacalevu (Fiji)
The Fijian captain has been instrumental in their progression to the quarter-finals, starting the tournament on fire against Wales in Bordeaux. Partnering up with Josua Tuisova, 74.3% of his carries passed the gain line, striking fear into every defence coach.
12. Josua Tuisova (Fiji)
After much deliberation, Nayacalevu couldn’t be included without his compatriot, Tuisova. This became even more apparent after his player-of-the-match performance against Australia, where he made three turnovers and memorably scored with a diving effort to seal the victory.
11. Raffaele Storti (Portugal)
Matching Niniashvili’s exploits, Storti made eight clean line breaks (Damian Penaud leading with 11), and leads the table of defenders beaten (23) after the pool stages.
After almost leading Portugal to victory against Georgia with two tries, Storti got the scoreboard rolling with a magnificent try against Fiji in that final match.
10. Rikiya Matsuda (Japan)
In a Japanese side that had lower expectations compared to the heights reached in the two previous editions, Matsuda’s right boot almost kicked the Brave Blossoms into contention with 46 points coming off the tee – the fourth most in the pool stages.
A special mention must also go to Felipe Etcheverry (URU), who was involved in five out of nine Uruguayan tries – the most of any tier-two nation player.
9. Santiago Arata (Uruguay)
Uruguay’s answer to Antoine Dupont, Arata is an established figure in the Top 14 scene, plying his trade for Castres Olympique. His standout performance against Namibia – including a spectacular solo-try – ensure that Los Teros leave France with a deserved victory.
1. Eroni Mawi (Fiji)
Alongside tighthead prop Luke Tagi, Saracens front-rower Mawi ensured that Fiji dominated at the scrum set piece, winning 96.2% of their scrums against some big packs.
2. Mike Tadjer (Portugal)
Oh, Mike Tadjer, how many have fallen in love with you? Nobody will ever forget his 40m punt celebrated wildly by an already-delirious Toulousain crowd. The fiery hooker retires after the most important victory in Os Lobos’ history.
3. Ben Tameifuna (Tonga)
151kg and agile don’t normally complement each other. That’s unless your name is Ben Tameifuna.
It’s fair to say that ‘Big Ben’ has added to his already well-established fanbase after his dominant showings in France. Chapeau.
4. Amato Fakatava (Japan)
His wonder try against Argentina was one of three during an impressive World Cup for the 28-year-old lock. A finish that even Penaud would be gloating about.
5. Theo McFarland (Samoa)
If you were unaware of him before, McFarland should now be considered as one of the best in the business.
The Saracens utility player was one of three forwards not to miss a minute in the pool stages, and a major factor in Samoa’s dominant maul which led to three tries – the most of any nation.
5 – Top 5 players for carry dominance % at #RWC2023 (min. 20 carries):
Theo McFarland 🇼🇸 59%
Jac Morgan 🏴 59%
Ardie Savea 🇳🇿 56%
Levani Botia 🇫🇯 52%
Fraser McReight 🇦🇺 50%Authoritative.
— OptaJonny (@OptaJonny) October 6, 2023
6. Manuel Ardao (Uruguay)
It seems as if tier-two sides are blessed with world-class flankers. Ardao goes at the very top of my list.
The blindside was a terrier at the breakdown – turning the ball over seven times – whilst his rampaging runs wreaked havoc.
7. Nicolas Martins (Portugal)
Whilst the Pacific Islander trio of Fritz Lee (SAM), Levani Botia (FIJ) or Sione Havili (TON) could easily fill this position, Martins just edges it after his starring role in Portugal’s defeat of Fiji.
The flanker summed it up perfectly in the post-match interview, “I’m so happy. I think it’s the best moment of my life. It is historic.”
63 – Only Sione Havili (69) made more tackles than Nicolas Martins (63) in the Pool Stage of #RWC2023, whilst of the 99 players to make 25+ carries only Ardie Savea (83%) & Sama Malolo (81%) had a better gainline success rate than Martins (79%). Comparisons. https://t.co/vQMYk8CweW pic.twitter.com/rpsUd6N5f0
— OptaJonny (@OptaJonny) October 10, 2023
8. Tornike Jalagonia (Georgia)
The all-round attributes of Jalagonia impressed in a tough Pool C, missing a singular tackle out of 63 and making 43 carries totalling over 150m in bullish fashion.
Replacements: Sama Malolo (SAM); Keita Inagaki (JAP); Luke Tagi (FIJ); Isoa Nasilasila (FIJ); Michael Leitch (JAP); Martín Sigren (CHI); Fritz Lee (SAM); Felipe Etcheverry (URU).
All stats provide by Opta.
