Tuesday 13 October 2015 12:31, UK
The pool stages are over, and we say goodbye to some outstanding players from the 12 teams who are now out of the Rugby World Cup. Here are some of my favourites...
Ayumu Goromaru (Japan)
A proper points machine and silky running full-back who truly blossomed at this World Cup. Handsome, too!
Goromaru's try and-24 point haul against South Africa in Brighton; the bravest try-saving tackle against Scotland's Tommy Seymour at Kingsholm; and his man of the match performance against the USA on the final day put him right up there with the best players in the tournament.
With 57 test caps under the belt at only 29 years old, he has another World Cup left in him.
Let's hope Goromaru stays healthy so that the Japanese public can watch this superb player lead the Brave Blossoms at their own World Cup.
Mamuka Gorgodze (Georgia)
The gigantic Georgian skipper walks into any World XV.
Gorgodze started the tournament by scoring a try and making a whopping 27 tackles in Georgia's win over Tonga, and until injury forced him off the field against the All Blacks in Cardiff, he had almost singlehandedly kept Los Lelos in the game.
'Gorgodzilla' should be on the shortlist for World Player of the Year.
Simone Favaro (Italy)
Italy have a genuine openside flanker and we all know how important it is having one of those in your team! Just ask England.
In the Azzurri's game against Ireland he outplayed the great Sean O'Brien. In fact, Favaro is more important to this Italy team than the mighty but ailing Sergio Parisse.
Always with a sharp eye for talent, Gregor Townsend has brought him to Glasgow to play in the PRO12. You need no higher compliment than that.
Leone Nakarawa (Fiji)
Forget Sonny Bill Williams - this guy is the undisputed king of the offload.
Nakarawa is just one of the fabulous Fijians who play rugby like it's meant to be played - with a smile on the face and a ceaseless desire to keep the ball alive.
If I want to get my under-10s excited about rugby I show them clips of this guy. He was man of the match in the PRO12 final last season, and throughout this World Cup we've seen the lock forward's ability to pass the ball in contact. At times, he's unstoppable.
Toulon haven't signed him yet, but that is surely not far away. Ben Ryan will doubtless be desperate to get him into his Fiji Sevens team for the Olympic Games.
Jacques Burger (Namibia)
Great character, fearless player. The Saracen tackling machine has carried his team with Samson strength; those flowing locks are the pride of Namibia.
After suffering concussion against Georgia, Big Jacques announced his retirement from international rugby - but even as he watched from the sidelines to see Namibia play their final pool game against Argentina, you could see that he's the heartbeat of his national team.
We'll miss you Jacques.
DTH Van der Merwe (Canada)
The scintillating Scarlets winger scored a try in all four pool games, in a campaign where Canada were unable to register a win.
His try against Italy at Elland Road, with the help of Ciaran Hearn, was one of the best long-range scores you could wish to see.
The Maple Leafs' surrender of a 15-point lead to Romania in Leicester must have been particularly galling, but, regardless, in Van der Merwe Canada have a world class finisher.
I'm looking forward to him lighting up the PRO12 this season like he has in the World Cup.
Joe Launchbury (England)
Before England took on the Wallabies, Danny Cipriani said that no Australians would have made the current England team. Awkward.
A case of blind loyalty from Cippers, perhaps, but after this World Cup campaign I reckon the only Englishman left in an Aussie/English team would be Joe.
He was embarrassed by the man of the match gong in England's losing cause against Australia, but remains a great athlete with a massive future.
Image of the week
Wallabies at full-time vs Wales. Utterly spent. Nothing left. Was that 15 minutes with 13 men the best defensive display ever?
France in the '07 Quarter Final defended 50 odd consecutive rucks - but they had the help of Wayne Barnes (still banging that drum!).
England '03 in a warm-up against the All Blacks in Wellington: their six-man scrum set them up for World Cup glory.
The All Blacks' try line defence in Pretoria in 1996 was epic, too, it sealed their first Test series win in SA. But even against this, what the Wallabies did with 13 men on Saturday was one for the ages.
Brickbat
World Rugby. Japan won three games and missed out on the quarter-finals. It can happen, but their four-day turnaround after beating South Africa gave them no chance against Scotland, who ultimately finished second in the pool.
Fiji were forced to back up after opening night the following Wednesday. That has to be sorted out before the next World Cup. It simply isn't fair.
Bouquet
Ireland fans - you dudes rock. The atmosphere at the Millennium Stadium on Sunday afternoon was electric; the sea of singing, roaring green carried the injury-ravaged Ireland team to victory against France.
Imagine a World Cup with that kind of energy - award Ireland 2023 hosting rights immediately!
