Rugby World Cup 2015: Best XV from Week 1
A memorable opening three days to the Rugby World Cup 2015 gave us the biggest shock in the tournament's history as Japan turned two-time champions South Africa over.
The Brave Blossoms set the tournament on fire with their 34-32 win in Brighton, England, capturing the imagination of their fans back home and the packed house of spectators at the Community Stadium.
It was the landmark result of the first weekend, during which England, Wales, New Zealand and France all got off to their expected winning starts.
But that Japanese performance has dominated the headlines, and their heroes deservedly feature in our first World Cup team of the week.
Here is your top XV from Week 1.
15. Ayumu Goromaru
1 of 15
Japan full-back Ayumu Goromaru scored 24 points in their historic win over South Africa.
That haul included the stunning second try and nerveless conversion that leveled the game at 29-29.
The man from Yamaha Jubilo, a club in Japan's Top League, made his debut for the Blossoms over 10 years ago, but he must have twice thought his international career was over.
He spent four years in the international wilderness between 2005 and 2009 before being recalled during the tenure of John Kirwan.
He then endured another 18-month absence until a third chance came from current boss Eddie Jones.
And the 29-year-old has repaid that decision in full with Saturday's performance.
14. Noa Nakaitaci
2 of 15
French wing Noa Nakaitaci looked dangerous all night against Italy.
He might have hung on to the ball a little better when diving over the line in the first half, but other than that, the Fiji-born Clermont man was a menace with his pace and power.
France will need his impact even more now with the news that fellow wing Yoann Huget is out of the tournament with a knee injury.
13. Cory Allen
3 of 15
Wales centre Cory Allen was having a World Cup debut to remember for all the right reasons after grabbing a hat-trick against Uruguay.
But it looked to have turned sour when the Cardiff man limped off with a hamstring injury that may well end his tournament.
It is another blow for Wales who already had to go into the tournament without first choice No. 13 Jonathan Davies in addition to the loss of full-back Leigh Halfpenny and scrum-half Rhys Webb.
Allen was joined on the injured list after the 54-9 win by props Paul James and Samson Lee, as well as full-back Liam Williams, flanker Dan Lydiate and hooker Aaron Jarvis.
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12. Sonny Bill Williams
4 of 15
New Zealand had plenty to do to get past Argentina when they replaced Ma’a Nonu with Sonny Bill Williams.
And the Chiefs man set about his work with great intent to ensure the All Blacks would not be joining South Africa on the "major-scalps" list.
Williams ran hard and straight, racking up 11 ball carries in his 20 minutes on the field.
With the hardest match in their pool out of the way, there is plenty of scope for coach Steve Hansen to test different midfield combinations before the knockout stages of the tournament, but Williams made his case loud and clear at Wembley.
11. Nemani Nadolo
5 of 15
Hulking Fijian Nemani Nadolo scored a fine try against England and made several telling bursts that could have led to more points for the men from the Pacific.
He was a little off-target with his rather unique style of goalkicking, only finding the middle of the posts once out of three attempts, but his threat with ball in hand was clear at Twickenham, London.
The Islanders used him frequently to truck down England's No. 10 channel, so Australia, Wales and Uruguay can expect more of the same from the 19-stone wide man.
10. Frederic Michalak
6 of 15
Nineteen points from the boot of Freddie Michalak was the key to an unspectacular 32-10 win for France over Italy.
The Toulon man was preferred over Francois Trinh-Duc in Philippe Saint-Andre’s squad and was on-song with his goalkicking to down the Azzurri.
He also showed his deftness with a wonderfully judged chip through the Italian rearguard to set up Rabah Slimani for a try.
An honourable mention for Jonny Sexton, who managed the game against Canada superbly for Ireland—no easy thing to do when the opposition is as poor as the Maple Leafs were.
9. Aaron Smith
7 of 15
New Zealand scrum-half Aaron Smith scored the decisive try that gave the All Blacks their first gulp of fresh air in the second half, and he was a threat from behind his pack throughout.
Sharp passing was married with a major shift in defence by Smith, who does not allow opposition defences a moment's peace.
He may get to put his feet up for the next game with Namibia given the short turnaround and calibre of opponent.
8. Mamuka Gorgodze
8 of 15
Georgia captain Mamuka Gorgodze was the inspiration for the eastern Europeans’ 17-10 victory over Tonga.
The Toulon man is capable of playing for many of the Tier One nations in this tournament and was every inch the world-class act at Kingsholm, claiming his side’s first try and piling in with a massive 24 tackles per ESPN.
He edges France’s Louis Picamoles, who was at his ball-carrying best against Italy.
7. Akapusi Qera
9 of 15
Fiji captain Akapusi Qera put in a tireless shift for his country against England.
The former Gloucester man made 14 tackles and was one of the key men in the impressive number of turnovers the Pacific Islanders made at Twickenham.
6. Michael Leitch
10 of 15
Japan skipper Michael Leitch was a colossus for his side all afternoon against South Africa.
The Chiefs man scored their first try and marshaled his men superbly throughout a display of outstanding discipline.
Leitch also kept a clear head in the madness of the last few minutes, eschewing the chance to kick for goal to level the match, trusting his players that they would score the winning try.
5. Brodie Retallick
11 of 15
The 2014 World Player of the Year was at his industrious best for New Zealand against Argentina.
Brodie Retallick made plenty of tackles and carried well around the fringes, helping to tire the South Americans out in the last quarter before space opened up out wide.
Like a true world-class player, he became more prominent in the period of the game when his team needed him most.
4. Iain Henderson
12 of 15
Ireland lock Iain Henderson had praise heaped on him in the Irish Independent after his display during Ireland’s 50-7 win over Canada.
The Ulsterman put in an energetic display topped with a try that showed Irish fans a glimpse into a promising post-Paul O’Connell future.
Gavin Cummiskey of the Irish Times was equally impressed, calling Henderson a "mighty addition to Ireland’s starting XV, there’s no budging him after this towering, ball carrying, try scoring, herculean display. A lock for the time being and maybe the ages."
3. Nicolas Mas
13 of 15A pat on the back for one of the old guard. Nicolas Mas has amassed 81 caps for France, and until Saturday night, had never registered a point for Les Bleus.
The replacement tighthead, 35, righted that wrong against Italy with a powerful roll and dive which was good enough for a five-pointer in France's victory.
The man he replaced, Rabah Slimani, had also got himself on the scoresheet earlier in the contest, which created a rare moment as two tightheads from one team scored in the same international fixture.
2. Guilhem Guirado
14 of 15
French hooker Guilhem Guirado showed his running ability against Italy, almost scoring a fine try.
He was strong in the set piece and accurate with his lineout throwing.
A solid all-round display.
1. Marcos Ayerza
15 of 15
Argentina's experienced loosehead, Marcos Ayerza, got the better of Owen Franks at the scrum until the All Blacks No. 3 went off, and continued the pattern with Franks' replacement Charlie Faumuina for the rest of the contest.
It's rare these days to see a prop play a full 80 minutes at Test level, so hats off to the 32-year-old Leicester man not only for lasting the distance, but losing none of his scrummaging dominance from first minute to last.
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