Monday 19 October 2015 17:58, UK
Four southern hemisphere teams will contest next weekend's Rugby World Cup semi-finals after they all defeated northern hemisphere opposition.
The Rugby Championship quartet of Argentina, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa booked their places in the last four, the All Blacks stealing the show with a nine-try demolition of France.
With that in mind, we have selected a southern v northern hemisphere team of the week. Six All Blacks feature on one side, with seven Scots on the other.
15. Joaquin Tuculet v Stuart Hogg
Argentina won the battle in the air and Tuculet was key in this area. The full-back was involved in the build-up to Argentina's second try, and although he missed a tackle on Luke Fitzgerald for Ireland's first score, he did superbly to ground the ball under pressure from two Irish players on 69 minutes to seal victory.
Australia always had to keep a close eye on Hogg, Scotland's most dangerous counter-attacker, who was his usual box of tricks. The Glasgow Warrior also made a try-saving tackle and was on the receiving end of a late tackle prior to Australia's controversial penalty, which clinched victory. "I nearly ended up in the front row of the stands," he said.
14. Juan Imhoff v George North
Imhoff took his tournament try tally to five with a double against Ireland. Argentina tore Joe Schmidt's side apart out wide and the Racing wing was prominent, brilliantly grounding the ball before it went out of play for the Pumas' second try.
The 27-year-old missed two of his three tackles but redeemed himself by collecting Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe's offload, stepping around Rob Kearney and fending off Dave Kearney to score his second try.
Imhoff's opposite number North, who we're also switching to the right wing, put in a terrific shift against the Springboks and it required some last-ditch defending from Bismarck du Plessis to deny the Northampton wing an early try.
North gained 83 metres from his seven carries, the most of any Welsh player, while he also made seven tackles.
13. Tevita Kuridrani v Luke Fitzgerald
Midfield strongman Kuridrani scored one try and created another against Scotland, beating four defenders and throwing six offloads from his 11 carries. The 24-year-old also completed eight tackles, the most of all the Wallabies backs.
Fitzgerald was introduced after 13 minutes for the injured Tommy Bowe and led Ireland's fightback with a superbly-taken try. The Leinster back beat four defenders and turned provider in the second half for Jordi Murphy as Ireland got to within three points of the Pumas.
12. Ma'a Nonu v Wesley Fofana
Nonu may not have scored one of New Zealand's nine tries, and blew one golden opportunity by dropping the ball with the line at his mercy, but that should not detract from a brilliant all-round performance.
The inside centre made 107 metres and beat six defenders from his 10 carries, which included three breaks and four offloads.
Fofana was France's most effective ball-carrier, averaging eight metres per carry and beating six defenders on a night to forget for Les Bleus.
11. Julian Savea v Tommy Seymour
Savea is being compared to the great Jonah Lomu after scoring a hat-trick in back-to-back games. After his treble against Georgia, Savea was rested for the win over Tonga and returned in blistering fashion against France, bouncing off three defenders to score his first.
The Hurricanes wing, nicknamed the 'Big Black Bus', made a whopping 137 metres from nine carries, with his pace and power leaving a trail of destruction around the Millennium Stadium.
Poor defending from Seymour gifted Australia their opening try, but he recovered well and claimed a touchdown of his own during a thrilling encounter.
10. Dan Carter v Dan Biggar
Carter was at his brilliant best against France, fending off Pascal Pape before producing a sublime pass out the back of his hand to send Julian Savea over for his first try.
The fly-half pulled the strings as the rampant All Blacks scored nine tries against the faltering French, and he was successful with eight of his 10 attempts on goal. The 33-year-old looks intent on signing off a magnificent international career in style.
Earlier on Saturday, Biggar was superb as Wales came agonisingly close to beating the Boks. He won his own up-and-under to set up Gareth Davies' for their only try, and his kicking game was world class as he scored 14 points from the tee.
9. Fourie du Preez v Greig Laidlaw
Du Preez scored the decisive try as South Africa snatched victory late on against Wales. The scrum-half was always scanning the field for openings and kicked effectively.
Laidlaw captained his team magnificently, was accurate off the kicking tee with 19 points, and showcased considerable big-match experience as Scotland came within minutes of a World Cup semi-final place.
1. Joe Moody v Alasdair Dickinson
Moody has set his sights on a starting spot against South Africa after making a huge impact against France.
The 27-year-old, who only arrived in the UK last week as an injury replacement for Tony Woodcock, was called into action on the half-hour when Wyatt Crockett was forced off.
Moody showed no signs of nerves, making seven tackles and throwing a lovely pass for Tawera Kerr-Barlow's second try.
Scotland loosehead Dickinson played an important role in ensuring that Australia's much-improved scrum did not establish supremacy.
2. Agustin Creevy v Rory Best
Creevy formed part of an Argentine scrum that put Ireland under ferocious pressure and was also highly effective in the loose.
The hooker made six carries and was a menace at the breakdown, slowing down Irish ball and forcing turnovers.
Best was the standout performer in the Irish pack and was also potent at the breakdown. The Ulsterman's darts were spot on, with Ireland winning all 10 of their own line-outs.
3. Owen Franks v WP Nel
Franks put in a solid shift at the scrum and was highly effective in the loose. He was involved in the lead-up to Jerome Kaino's try before being taken off on 50 minutes as focus turned to the Springboks.
Nel held his own opposite Wallabies loosehead Scott Sio as Scotland's forwards relished the contest. The South African made six carries, six tackles and also forced a turnover.
4. Brodie Retallick v Devin Toner
Retallick charged down Freddie Michalak's kick to score New Zealand's first try and was one of the main reasons for France's line-out problems.
The second row was excellent in an all-consuming 80-minute display, popping up in all areas of the pitch.
Toner was Ireland's go-man at the line-out, Rory Best finding the Leinster lock with six of his 10 throws. Struggled to make any gains with ball in hand and conceded a costly penalty for a high tackle, but Toner grew in performance as the game went on.
5. Lood de Jager v Jonny Gray
Another Springbok rookie who stood up and was counted. De Jager was magnificent against Wales, completing all 10 of his tackles while also making 11 carries.
Gray saw a three-week ban overturned barely 24 hours before kick-off, and contributed consistently in all areas.
6. Schalk Burger v Dan Lydiate
Outstanding performance from the man of the match, who is maturing like a fine wine. Acted as first receiver and made a whopping 26 carries, Burger was also the Boks' top tackler with 16.
Opposite number Lydiate led the way for Wales with 24 tackles during a game of relentless intensity, before being replaced with 13 minutes to go.
7. Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe v Sam Warburton
The Argentina openside just oozes class and looks as comfortable with ball in hand as the Pumas backs. Lobbe threw a long pass in the lead-up to Argentina's first try, and sold a superb dummy and offload for Imhoff's second score late on.
Wales' imperious captain Warburton produced another masterful display at the breakdown. The Welsh back row made 59 tackles, Warburton chipping in with 17 as they fell to a heartbreaking late defeat.
8. Duane Vermeulen v David Denton
Vermeulen produced the moment of magic for Du Preez's try, holding two players up before slipping out the pass. The No 8 made 90 metres from his 15 carries, beating two defenders and offloading on four occasions, while also putting in 12 tackles.
Denton was magnificent with ball in hand and was Scotland's top carrier with 14. He beat three Australian defenders, making two breaks and offloading twice. Could not have done any more.
