Rugby World Cup 2015: Ranking the 10 Most Crucial Players in the Quarter-Finals

The Rugby World Cup 2015 has reached its "lose and you’re out" stage as a compelling quarter-final weekend awaits.

On Saturday, Wales take on South Africa before the favourites, New Zealand, meet France.

Then, on Sunday, Ireland and Argentina clash and Australia play Scotland.

We take a look at the 10 most important players in the four games in a list that factors in skill level and, more importantly, the player's importance to the team’s hopes of success.

Will Australia’s Bernard Foley take top spot or will the All Blacks’ legendary flanker Richie McCaw be ranked No. 1?

Honourable Mentions

Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

Conor Murray (Ireland)—Murray’s heads-up try against France sealed Ireland’s victory in their final pool game, per STV Sport:

"

TRY! Smart stuff from Conor Murray #FRAvIRE 9-21 by @SamsungUK | #SamsungRugby #spon #RWC2015 http://t.co/AOAspCmK8k

— STV Sport (@STVSport) October 11, 2015"

Alun-Wyn Jones (Wales)—The Welsh warrior is “as good as any second row in world rugby ball in hand,” according to former England player Will Green. 

Scott Sio (Australia)—Sio has been incredible for Australia and, judging by this video from the Wallabies’ Twitter account, is also a pretty useful journalist:

"

The bookends catch up after the win over Wales - @ScottSio and @SekopeKepu chewing the fat #StrongerAsOne https://t.co/PYGL53Bjml

— Wallabies (@Wallabies) October 11, 2015"

10. Thierry Dusautoir (France)

When France played against New Zealand in the 2007 World Cup, it was Dusautoir vs. New Zealand.

France will hope the flanker can produce another inspired performance as they seek a shock win against the All Blacks.

New Zealand’s nemesis—Dusautoir also scored a try in the 2011 World Cup final loss to the All Blacks—has been relentless in the back row, his 45 tackles ranking him eighth in tackles made. His tackle success rate is 96 percent.

New Zealand coach Steve Hansen knows just how big a threat Dusautoir is, per the Rugby World Cup’s Twitter account:

"

Nothing but respect for Thierry Dusautoir as #NZL coach Steve Hansen heaps praise on #FRA's skipper #NZLvFRA #RWC2015 pic.twitter.com/OtbQDongTs

— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) October 15, 2015"

If France are to have any chance of overcoming New Zealand, they’ll need a stout performance from their captain.

9. Nicolas Sanchez (Argentina)

BERTRAND LANGLOIS/Getty Images

Only three players have scored more points than Nicolas Sanchez’s 51 in the tournament.

Ireland are favourites to win Saturday’s match, but if Argentina’s star man can produce the sort of form that saw him score a try, four conversions and four penalties against Tonga, then the Pumas have every chance of progressing.

Here's one of two penalties scored by Sanchez against Georgia, via Comunidad del Rugby:

"

#RWC2015 21' #ARG saca ventaja con un penal de Nicolás Sánchez. Ahora Los Pumas se imponen 11-6 #GEO pic.twitter.com/vg7UC3WZkK

— Comunidad del Rugby (@ComunidadRugby) September 25, 2015"

Sanchez’s kicking has been impressive and his passing majestic. With Juan Imhoff and Santiago Cordero posing a threat on the wings, Sanchez has the tools to orchestrate an Argentina win.

8. Bryan Habana (South Africa)

With five tries already in the tournament, Habana needs just one more to become the all-time leading try scorer in World Cup history.

He’s currently tied at the top with Jonah Lomu on 15 and, at Twickenham on Saturday, gets the chance to make the record his own.

Habana is the spark in the South Africa team and forms a fearsome wing duo with JP Pietersen. He scored the second of three tries against the USA with relative ease, per Ovaladaenelverano.

It’s been a regular sight over the years, Habana crossing the goal line. If he does it on Saturday, history will be made.

7. Jonathan Sexton (Ireland)

The whole of Ireland breathed a collective sigh of relief upon hearing this news on Friday, per Sky Sports News:

"

Ireland fly-half Johnny Sexton passed fit to start in World Cup quarter final against Argentina - more details on #SSNHQ

— Sky Sports News HQ (@SkySportsNewsHQ) October 16, 2015"

There were fears Sexton would miss Ireland’s tie with Argentina, but the No. 10 has overcome a groin injury in time for Sunday’s game.

And that’s great news for an Ireland side looking to reach their first Rugby World Cup semi-final.

With Paul O’Connell, Peter O’Mahony and Sean O’Brien out, it’s on Sexton to lead Ireland.

Argentina’s Juan Martin Hernandez believes the No. 10 is Ireland’s most important player, according to the Daily Mail, and with good reason. This astonishing kick Sexton made in the warm-up to the pool game against France shows just how much a threat he is, per Robin Blandford.

6. Aaron Smith (New Zealand)

See ya.

Smith’s elusive move against Argentina is just one of the plays that will be included in his tournament highlight reel.

Another is this devilish no-look pass against Tonga, per Ultimate Rugby:

"

Aaron Smith brilliance sets up SBW for a try #NZLvTGA #RWC2015 http://t.co/FPiURGdqdj https://t.co/UZuTbxxw9g

— Ultimate Rugby (@ultimaterugby) October 9, 2015"

Arguably the best No. 9 in the sport, Smith has been a force for New Zealand, his arrowed passes and non-stop engine a key reason the All Blacks are yet to taste defeat and are likely to ease into the semi-finals.

5. Julian Savea (New Zealand)

Despite playing just three games, Julian Savea leads the tournament in tries scored with five, including a hat-trick against Georgia.

The winger scored his third try in the 43-10 win with this effort, per KICCA. 

As the tournament enters the business stage, New Zealand having a fresh Savea after he sat out last week’s Pool game is terrifying news for France.

This neat play against Georgia exposed more than just his explosiveness, per Fantasy Rugger:

"

Cheeky break from Savea! #fantasyrugger #RWC2015 pic.twitter.com/mRHABgb6v2

— Fantasy Rugger (@fantasyrugger) October 2, 2015"

The 25-year-old’s 35 tries in 38 international matches is a ridiculous record, and it would be foolish to think Savea won’t add to his tally on Saturday.

4. Dan Carter (New Zealand)

New Zealand Herald columnist Chris Rattue called for Dan Carter to be dropped after the Georgia game, claiming “his goalkicking was completely off, his command as impossible to find as his running game, some hospital passes to team mates bordering on a dereliction of duty.” 

But the real dereliction of duty would be to drop the sport’s greatest-ever fly-half, the man former All Blacks No. 10 Grant Fox called “a virtuoso who made his backline sing” per the Daily Mail, in the midst of a World Cup. 

No player is as hungry for success in this year’s tournament as Carter, whose World Cup career has been plagued by misfortune.

He owns a winners' medal after New Zealand’s success in 2011, yet he might not feel like a World Cup winner.

Carter tore the left adductor muscle in his groin during the pool stages and missed the final against France.

The 33-year-old, in his fourth World Cup, is the inspiring figure in the All Blacks’ squad, his presence invaluable.

3. Handre Pollard (South Africa)

Handre Pollard is one of the most exciting prospects in rugby and, over the past four games, has shown outstanding defensive contribution.

The 21-year-old’s points tally (46) will please Heyneke Meyer, and what will further impress South Africa’s coach is the number of tackles his fly-half has made.

No fly-half still in the tournament has made more tackles than Pollard’s 30:

"

COLUMN: @mark_keohane says @hpollard10 could become the world's best No 10. https://t.co/54OdMubMnj #RWC2015 pic.twitter.com/bDtrs32wEl

— SA Rugby magazine (@SARugbymag) October 5, 2015"

Against an incredibly physical Wales side, his willingness to get stuck into the less glamorous work will be crucial.

2. Bernard Foley (Australia)

Bernard Foley’s second try against England will definitely be considered for try of the tournament.

The awareness to identify England’s weak side; the targeting of the unsupported Ben Youngs; the speed. It was a sumptuous move executed brilliantly.

Many referred to Foley’s often erratic goal-kicking when calling for Quade Cooper to be the Wallabies’ first-choice fly-half, but Foley has responded by making fans forget all about Cooper.

His 28 points in a sublime display against England preceded last Saturday’s win against Wales that saw Foley score all their points. He has 56 points in total for the tournament and ranks third for most points scored.

Foley doesn’t top the list because the Australia players won’t look to him to galvanise them to victory. That’s not a knock on Foley’s talent or personality; he simply lacks the experience to be the team’s No. 1 inspiration.

1. Richie McCaw (New Zealand)

Nobody is under more pressure than Richie McCaw in this World Cup.

Everyone wants a piece of you when you’re the favourites, and New Zealand, captained by McCaw, own that title.

Against France, the All Blacks face a team that has given them problems over the years.

So there’s no better person to have in the lineup than the best player to ever play the openside flanker position.

Some would go a step further. BT Sport’s Austin Healy believes McCaw is the best to ever play the sport:

"

"Richie McCaw is the best player to ever play the game!" @IamAustinHealey tips #NZL for #RWC2015 success. http://t.co/kT2MmC2Xbm

— BT Sport Rugby (@btsportrugby) October 2, 2015"

McCaw is surrounded by incredible talents in Kieran Read, Brodie Retallick and the three Smiths—Ben, Conrad and Aaron.

But the leader of the bunch? The one with 145 caps to his name? The one responsible for ensuring the All Blacks don’t slip up in their quest for a third World Cup title?

McCaw.

That’s why he’s No. 1 on this list. Back in New Zealand, a country expects its team to return with the Web Ellis Cup, and McCaw is the commander of that team.

Some might buckle under the pressure, but then again, some aren’t McCaw.