Rugby World Cup team of the week - only one Irishman makes the XV
Australia dominate the lineup
There were some huge performances during another pulsating weekend of action at the Rugby World Cup but who makes our team of the weekend. Unsurprisingly, Australia feature heavily.
15. Ayumu Goromaru (Japan)
Japan have a serious chance of making the last eight and their full-back is a huge presence in his team. His trusty boot contributed 16 of Japan's 26 points in the win over Samoa and he was brilliant in attack and defence.
Rugby Union - Samoa v Japan - IRB Rugby World Cup 2015 Pool B - Stadium MK, Milton Keynes, England - 3/10/15 Japan's Ayumu Goromaru kicks a penalty Action Images via Reuters / Andrew Boyers Livepic
14. Telusa Veainu (Tonga)
He offloaded the ball in the corner brilliantly just before being tackled into touch to allow Saone Tonga'uiha to pounce against Argentina and was a constant threat.
Tonga's Telusa Veainu dives for the line but the try is not given during the Rugby World Cup match at Sandy Park, Exeter. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday September 29, 2015. See PA story RUGBYU Tonga. Photo credit should read: David Davies/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Editorial use only. Strictly no commercial use or association without RWCL permission. Still image use only. Use implies acceptance of Section 6 of RWC 2015 T&Cs at: http://bit.ly/1MPElTL Call +44 (0)1158 447447 for further info.
13. Paul Perez (Samoa)
One of the few Samoans to escape with credit from the defeat to Japan. His second half try was just reward for his industry.
Rugby Union - Samoa v Japan - IRB Rugby World Cup 2015 Pool B - Stadium MK, Milton Keynes, England - 3/10/15 Japan's Akihito Yamada tackles Samoa's Paul Perez Reuters / Darren Staples Livepic
12. Damian de Allende (South Africa)
Replaced Jean de Villiers at inside centre and played a a big role in South Africa's power-packed win over the Scots.
South Africa's Bismarck Du Plessis (right) and Damian de Allende during the World Cup match at St James' Park, Newcastle. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Saturday October 3, 2015. See PA story RUGBYU South Africa. Photo credit should read: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only. No commercial use. No use in books or print sales without prior permission. Call +44 (0)1158 447447 for further information.
11. Julian Savea (New Zealand)
Showed the pace and power that Ireland and France will be trying to avoid this weekend. A hat-trick to add to his amazing try-scoring tally for the All Blacks.
New Zealand's Julian Savea scores their sixth try completing his hat trick
10. Bernard Foley (Australia)
Amusingly overlooked for the official man-of-the-match award. Scored two tries and kicked supremely well. Quade who?
Rugby Union - England v Australia - IRB Rugby World Cup 2015 Pool A - Twickenham Stadium, London, England - 3/10/15 Australia's Bernard Foley prepares a penalty kick Reuters / Stefan Wermuth Livepic
9. Edoardo Gori (Italy)
The diminutive scrum-half caused Ireland huge headaches and kept Italy playing at a very strong pace from the back of the ruck.
Rugby Union - Ireland v Italy - IRB Rugby World Cup 2015 Pool D - Olympic Stadium, London, England - 4/10/15 Italy's Edoardo Gori and Ireland's Iain Henderson in action Reuters / Eddie Keogh Livepic
8. David Pocock (Australia)
Chris Robshaw will have nightmares about this man. Bossed the breakdown and never let England get any momentum going.
David Pocock off-loads under pressure from England flanker Tom Wood during Australia's victory at Twickenham
7. Michael Hooper (Australia)
His no-arm drive into a late ruck aside, Hooper was amazing and Australia look like the team to beat on form given the effectiveness of his partnership with Pocock.
Australia's Michael Hooper and England's Mike Brown clash
6. Thierry Dusatoir (France)
Dusatoir is getting into gear just in time to face Ireland on Sunday and was close to his best against Canada. The Irish back-row, who were mediocre at best yesterday, better beware.
5. Lood de Jager (South Africa)
A great display from second row as the Springboks eclipsed the Gray brothers for Scotland
Scotland's Matt Scott (left) is tackled by South Africa's Lodewyk De Jager during the World Cup match at St James' Park, Newcastle. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Saturday October 3, 2015. See PA story RUGBYU South Africa. Photo credit should read: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only. No commercial use. No use in books or print sales without prior permission. Call +44 (0)1158 447447 for further information.
4. Iain Henderson (Ireland)
Ireland's player of the tournament so far by a mile, echoes of Stephen Ferris' lift on Will Genia in the second half. Great ball-carrier and a lion in defence.
Edoardo Gori, Italy, is tackled by Iain Henderson, Ireland. 2015 Rugby World Cup, Pool D, Ireland v Italy. Olympic Stadium, Stratford, London, England. Picture credit: Stephen McCarthy / SPORTSFILE
3. Sekope Kepu (Australia)
His offload for Bernard Foley's first try was a thing of beauty. If he had done nothing else in the game... he would still be on this team for that moment of genius.
Rugby Union - England v Australia - IRB Rugby World Cup 2015 Pool A - Twickenham Stadium, London, England - 3/10/15 Australia's Sekope Kepu celebrates at the end of the game Reuters / Stefan Wermuth Livepic
2. Stephen Moore (Australia)
The Wallabies skipper led from the front in one of the best forward displays from an Australian side of modern times.
Rugby Union - Australia v Fiji - IRB Rugby World Cup 2015 Pool A - Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Wales - 23/9/15 Australia's Stephen Moore and Scott Sio line up for the national anthems before the game Action Images via Reuters / Paul Childs Livepic
1. Scott Sio (Australia)
Sio completely dominated Dan Coles. It was a match-up that Stuart Lancaster would have expected to win but it was lost comprehensively.
England's Tom Youngs gets tackled by Australia's Scott Sio (right) during the World Cup match at Twickenham Stadium, London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Saturday October 3, 2015. See PA story RUGBYU England. Photo credit should read: Gareth Fuller/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only. No commercial use. No use in books or print sales without prior permission. Call +44 (0)1158 447447 for further information.
