Rugby League World Cup 2013: Ranking Top Players in Semi-Final Fixtures

The semi-finals of the 2013 Rugby League World Cup are upon us and that means we should now be left with the creme de la creme of the 13-man game competing for the overall crown.

England take on tournament favourites New Zealand in the first semi-final before Australia attempt to maintain their exceptional record of having reached every World Cup final since 1957 when they take on Fiji.

The two trans-Tasmanian giants will head into the encounters as favourites, but could there be a shock in store? Such big games can be settled on moments of individual genius, but who are each side's key players to watch out for in the coming games?

4. Akuila Uate (Fiji)

Flying winger Uate will need to perform if the South Sea Islanders are to achieve success against Australia—the country in which he has spent his entire professional career.

A lightning burst in the opening minutes of quarter-final success over Samoa sent away Aaron Groom for the first try of the encounter, showing the devastating nature of his attacking play.

Overlooked for selection by Australia, who he has represented in the past, he will hope to show the Kangeroos exactly what could have been.

Fiji will find chances limited against what is undoubtedly a stronger all-round team, but if Uate and the likes of Mariko Koroibete can break the line when in possession, they could put the favourites under real pressure.

3. Sam Burgess (England)

South Sydney Rabbitohs forward Burgess will have the unenviable task of dealing with Kiwi star Sonny Bill Williams on Saturday—a clash that the Courier Mail's Paul Crawley describes as having "captivated the rugby world this year."

Former England great Gary Schofield said of the clash to the Sydney Morning Herald:

"

If I were [England coach] Steve McNamara, I would detail Sam Burgess to man-mark Williams and follow him everywhere. Burgess has the physical presence to rattle Williams and wrap him up.

If Williams is put off his game and starts to square up to Burgess, he could lose focus and neglect his teammates. But if England can't put the shackles on Williams he will cause havoc out wide with clean breaks and those magical passes to his support players.

If he is kept out of the game as much as possible, England have a chance. If not, we'll come up short again.

"

Burgess responded from a suspension for a poor tackle earlier in the tournament to play an important role in England's progression to this stage but will be expected to show all of his experience on the big stage.

His man-to-man clash with Williams will be key to success, but can he stop New Zealand's dual-code phenomenon?

2. Brett Morris (Australia)

Australian centre Brett Morris has been exceptional at the 2013 Rugby League World Cup, crossing the line on six occasions for his side in just four games.

He has the best average gain of any player at the competition, making an average of 13 metres with each run while also remaining solid in his defensive work.

He will need to remain strong in that aspect against the flying Fijians, who will make Australia pay for any missed tackles that occur at Wembley.

Morris has had a brilliant tournament thus far, with his destructive running and 14 tackle busts putting him among the very best players at the competition.

1. Sonny Bill Williams (New Zealand)

New Zealand's big-name star, Williams leads the way in terms of offloads at the tournament—having completed 13 passes out of the tackle.

Burgess will be the man out to stop him on Saturday and with good reason—the Union World Cup winner has both scored and assisted three tries at the tournament.

If he can help his side to victory in the next two games, he will cement his place in rugby folklore as a world champion in both forms of the game—as well as New Zealand's leading heavyweight boxer.

He is a unique talent, whose combination of enormous bulk and incredible skill place him among the very best in the sport's history. 

Centre Roger Tuivasa-Sheck has been sensational at the tournament, making more metres than any other player. Sonny Bill, though, is the maverick talent who can produce the required moments of magic at this stage of the competition.