After a month and a half of exciting action in stadia all over France, the 2023 Rugby World Cup has now come to an end, with South Africa seeing off the challenge of fierce rivals New Zealand at the weekend to become the first nation to lift the Webb-Ellis Cup on four occasions.
With players now returning to their clubs all over the globe, it is a good opportunity to take one last look at all 20 of those who made it to the finals and to pick out some of the names who caught the eye during the tournament. There were many key players who could have been included in this tactical analysis, but here are six that really stood out as the World Cup progressed.
Pieter-Steph du Toit
One thing that the South Africans did not lack at the World Cup was quality, with them possessing a squad stacked with it, and their innovative approach to team selections and tactics added unpredictability to the equation too, with fans challenging themselves to guess not just who would start but also where they would play.
There was some flitting between different shapes and systems, with players in and out of the side as the tournament went on, but one who was a constant on the team sheet regardless of the system selected was Toyota Verblitz forward Pieter-Steph du Toit. Quite simply, he was a force to be reckoned with during games, with him not only responsible for making dominant carries up the field and breaking through opposing defensive lines, but also for stopping opponents gaining too much ground whenever they were looking to move towards the Springboks’ try line.
His ability to make sniping runs around the opposing 22m area line and to be an effective operator at the breakdown also constantly stood out, with him scoring South Africa’s opening try at the World Cup against Scotland in Marseille, and his strong defensive display in the final was enough to see him earn the player-of-the-match award. It was a just reward after a sensational individual tournament for him.
Ben Earl
England may have had an up-and-down tournament on the whole, with them both putting on outstanding displays and having a few dire performances, but they did end up with a commendable third-placed finish which showed that they are still a difficult team to play against and are capable of challenging at this level.
Securing a win in their final game in France was a good way for this crop of England players to end their time together, with some now hanging up their international boots whilst others move abroad and so rule themselves out of selection, but there are some who will be hanging around and who will now be relied upon to lead the next stage of England’s rebuild under head coach Steve Borthwick. One of those is Saracens back rower Ben Earl, who stood out even in England’s poorer games at the World Cup and who was often the one leading the team from the front both with and without the ball.
He didn’t start every match, but he showed when on the field that he is a dependable player who will not stop working for his team, and the plaudits that he earnt for his performances were well-deserved. With him still just 25 years old and having a lot of time ahead of him, he will be a key player for England to build their team around as they look towards Australia 2027.
Damian McKenzie
There isn’t a lot to say about Damian McKenzie that hasn’t already been stated in other analysis pieces, with the New Zealand utility back at the heart of some of his team’s most impressive moments in their run to the final.
What makes the Chiefs player so special to watch is his quick-thinking and elegance when in control of the ball, with him constantly showing decisiveness whenever looking for options and never giving opponents a chance to close him down. This has been shown both through his kicking ability, as is a key feature of New Zealand’s overall tactics, and when he has been in wide areas and has kept the ball in play for his team, with there being a few examples of him pushing the ball back into play before being taken into touch and allowing his team to retain momentum and score tries.
New Zealand have been spoilt for choice at fly-half and full-back in the build-up to and during the World Cup, with all three of McKenzie, Richie Mo’unga and Beauden Barrett capable of playing in those roles and of executing the demands of them well. McKenzie has often been the one to miss out on a place in the starting XV and has instead needed to settle for a place among the replacements, but this has not made him resentful and has instead given him extra impetus to impress when opportunities have come his way.
With chances likely to increase for him now that Mo’unga has moved to Japanese side Toshiba Brave Lupus, making him ineligible for All Blacks selection, he will be one to keep an eye on as the next four years progress.
Bundee Aki
Ireland may have fallen at the quarter-final stage yet again, but they did have a largely positive tournament that justified why they came into it as one of the favourites to go all the way.
One player who really stood out for them during their time in France was Bundee Aki, with the Connacht centre a strong ball-carrier and someone who was always on the shoulder of either no-retired fly-half Johnny Sexton or of the scrum-half (whoever that was in each match), enabling quick ball recycling and opening up the chance to break through opposing defensive lines before they had had a chance to reset.
Aki was one of Ireland’s biggest try threats throughout the tournament and would have been a strong contender for the inside centre position in many fans’ and media outlets’ Teams of the Tournament. He was also shortlisted for the World Rugby Player of the Year award (which eventually went to New Zealand back rower Ardie Savea), which shows just how highly regarded he is and how vital he has been to Ireland’s form in 2023 as a whole.
Jordie Barrett
Another player who would have been a strong competitor for the inside centre position would have been Jordie Barrett, who was undoubtedly the most underrated player in the New Zealand squad due to the number of options and possibilities that he gave them. It has been stated previously that Barrett can and has played in every position among the backs aside from scrum-half for his nation, and that ability to move between roles was crucial to the All Blacks’ hopes of regaining the Webb-Ellis Cup.
What was noticeable during New Zealand’s matches was that Barrett often rotated with the likes of winger Will Jordan to ensure that his team could manipulate opposing defenders into leaving gaps open, and it was a key tactic that worked for them as the tournament went on and meant that some teams gave away some very easy tries.
The Hurricanes player is still just 26 years old and so has a strong chance of making the next World Cup, barring any injuries in the build-up to it, and there is little doubt that, given the quality of his individual rugby in the matches before and during this year’s tournament, he will be one to watch as the All Blacks look ahead to the next chance to prise the World Cup trophy from the Springboks’ grip.
Raffaele Storti
Portugal were one of the relatively unknown sides going into the World Cup, given that it was only their second appearance at the finals and their first since 2007. However, they will be far from that now, with many ardent rugby fans having had a chance to watch them in action over the last month and a half and appreciating their passion and desire to play an attractive and swashbuckling style.
One player who really epitomised that fast-paced style of play was winger Raffaele Storti, who was picked out before the tournament as a danger player in the Portuguese ranks and who more than lived up to that with his performances during Portugal’s four pool stage matches. His ability to break through opposing defensive lines, sidestep tackles and evade the clutches of those nearest him meant that he was a constant thorn in the side of those coming up against him, and there will be many who will have had nightmares following their meetings with him.
The Béziers winger certainly made a big impression in France, and there will be many hoping to witness his and his nation’s brilliance at a World Cup again in the near future, potentially even in four years’ time.