Ireland arrived in France as the top team in world rugby and their fans were swept up in the expectation that this could finally be their time to shine.<\/p>\n
The Cranberries\u2019 song Zombie<\/em> was belted out after pool victories and Paris became a sea of green before games. The party abruptly stopped after the All Blacks defeated Ireland in the quarter-finals.<\/p>\n The Irish were matched for noise by the Argentina fans who travelled far and wide to support their team across France and a surprisingly large Portugal contingent brought plenty of colour, especially when they welcomed their team home to Lisbon airport in memorable scenes.<\/p>\n More was expected from Georgia, who failed to deliver in the pool stages, but there were still surprises.<\/p>\n Every World Cup needs a shock and Portugal delivered it emphatically with a thrilling win over Fiji in Toulouse. Portugal matched the Fijians with exuberant and fearless running rugby, ultimately beating them at their own game.<\/p>\n Rodrigo Marta of Portugal scores a try against Fiji.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>Getty<\/cite><\/p>\n An honourable mention goes to Uruguay, who put up a great performance against France before losing 27-12.<\/p>\n \u2018In sport, we have the privilege – not the pressure – to inspire people.\u2019<\/p>\n South Africa\u2019s Siya Kolisi lifts the World Cup.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>AP<\/cite><\/p>\n \u201cWe come from different walks of life,\u201d he continued. \u201cWhat brings us together is our country, you need to come to South Africa to understand.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have a lot of problems, but it\u2019s a beautiful country.\u201d<\/p>\n We really were spoilt for choice in France.<\/p>\n For starters, there was Raffaele Storti\u2019s miracle try for Portugal in the corner against Fiji and Mateo Carreras finished off an incredible piece of counter-attacking rugby for Argentina against Japan.<\/p>\n There is no perfect answer, but it is hard to look past All Blacks winger Will Jordan\u2019s 80-metre effort against in the semi-final against Argentina as part of a memorable hat-trick.<\/p>\n There were some outstanding matches at this World Cup. France v New Zealand to start the tournament set the tone, with honourable mentions for South Africa v Ireland, Wales v Fiji and England v South Africa.<\/p>\n The pick of the tournament was France against South Africa in the quarter-finals. South Africa the abovementioned 13-8 loss to Ireland in Pool B, while the unbeaten French were playing in front of their adoring home crowd in Paris.<\/p>\n Cheslin Kolbe of South Africa consoles Romain Taofifenua of France after their quarter-final.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>Getty<\/cite><\/p>\n The game had tries, drama and two masters of their craft competing until the last minute. A beautiful advertisement for rugby.<\/p>\n The Wallabies arrived at Sydney airport resplendent in Akubras and tailored blazers, looking every inch the confident team ready to take on the world.<\/p>\n Coach Eddie Jones opted for youth, leaving veteran Wallabies like Quade Cooper and Michael Hooper at home. The gathered media were memorably told to give themselves uppercuts for having the temerity to question these omissions. It set the tone for a disastrous World Cup.<\/p>\n Tom Hooper after the Wallabies\u2019 loss to Wales.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>AP<\/cite><\/p>\n The Wallabies stuttered badly in France, registering wins against Portugal and Georgia, but losing to Wales and Fiji cost them a place in the quarter-finals for the first time ever. Jones resigned after presiding over the Wallabies\u2019 worst World Cup yet.<\/p>\n Portugal captain and centre Tomas Appleton led his team brilliantly during the tournament, but there is more to the man than hard tackles and offloads.<\/p>\n Tomas Appleton clears the ball against Australia.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>Getty<\/cite><\/p>\n Outside of rugby commitments internationally and for his club in Lisbon, Appleton is a dentist who owns his own clinic that specialises in plastic dental surgery.<\/p>\n The ultimate utility man.<\/p>\n New Zealand\u2019s Will Jordan was the top try scorer in the tournament with eight, and will be disappointed not to break the World Cup record, especially when he missed a golden opportunity for Richie Mo\u2019unga to send him over the line against Argentina in the semi-final.<\/p>\n South Africa also had brilliant performers throughout the tournament with second-rower Eben Etzebeth and Cheslin Kolbe lighting up his team from the wing.<\/p>\n Ardie Savea celebrates the All Blacks\u2019 win over Ireland in the World Cup quarter-finals.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>AP<\/cite><\/p>\n In a tournament of stars, it is hard to look past All Blacks No.8 Ardie Savea. In the quarter-final against Ireland, he completely outplayed his opposite number Caelan Doris and, after his captain Sam Cane was red-carded in the final, he nearly led All Blacks to an unlikely win. An outstanding competitor who shone brightest in France.<\/p>\n Portugal breakaway Nicolas Martins had a fantastic tournament, managing to stand out in a team of fleet-footed backs renowned for their running rugby.<\/p>\n He was raised in France and plays in the country\u2019s second division, but always wanted to represent Portugal in memory of his Portuguese grandfather.<\/p>\n Portugal\u2019s Nicolas Martins applauds the fans after playing Australia.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>Getty<\/cite><\/p>\n He will have a number of clubs from across the globe interested in him after finishing the World Cup with 63 tackles, only missing three in the tournament. A tireless competitor who stood up against some of the giants of the game.<\/p>\n South Africa\u2019s Handre Pollard didn\u2019t even make the original 33-man Springboks squad, but when he was called up to replace the injured hooker Malcolm Marx, he made it count when he appeared on the field<\/p>\n Pollard was lethal from the tee, kicking 33 points during the tournament and not missing once.<\/p>\n Handre Pollard kicks the winning penalty for South Africa against England from over 50 metres.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>Getty<\/cite><\/p>\n Although he played his part in the final, kicking all of his team\u2019s points, his finest moment arguably came in the semi when they were trailing against England 15-13 after 77 minutes.<\/p>\n Pollard nailed the kick from 50 metres out in the ultimate clutch moment.<\/p>\n Sports news, results and expert commentary.<\/i><\/b> Sign up for our Sport newsletter<\/i><\/b>.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n Source: Read Full Article<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Biggest shock<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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