Monday 21 September 2015 14:55, UK
We pick our team of the week from the opening weekend of the Rugby World Cup.
15 Ayumu Goromaru (Japan)
Giant killings require team performances, and that's what Japan provided in Brighton, but if there was one man who led the charge it was Ayumu Goromaru. On the scoreboard he offered 24 points from a try and seven out of nine kicks, but defensively he was equally as invaluable to Eddie Jones. The full-back patrolled his side's goal line intelligently and relieved them of dangerous possession with his out-of-hand kicking. He also counter-attacked on the back of poor kicking from the South African half-backs. One of the great individual efforts at a World Cup.
14 Tim Nanai-Williams (Samoa)
Okay, we know he started at full-back for Samoa against USA but his electrifying pace would be wondrous on the wing. Nanai-Williams burst onto the scene as a 7s superstar, dazzling with stunning footwork and speed that separated him - quite literally - from his peers. He scored Samoa's first try with pace on the end of a clever kick, but against USA the full-back also provided cover for his side at the back in defence.
13 Cory Allen (Wales)
Making our team of the week will be no consolation for Allen after a hamstring injury has ended his World Cup journey after a promising start. The centre scored three tries for Wales against Uruguay and was a nice foil for Scott Williams who punched holes in the defence to allow Allen to thrive.
12 Sonny Bill Williams (New Zealand)
SBW was only on for 35 minutes but made a huge impact. He made 12 offloads and carried the ball well against a tiring Puma's defence - 13 carries in all, just two behind the game's leading carrier Ben Smith.
11 Karne Hesketh (Japan)
Hesketh was on for only two minutes but has a player ever had such an impact? Hesketh himself was wondering why the team had opted for the scrum instead of three points but was glad that they didn't. The New Zealand-born winger scored the dramatic late try which saw minnows japan beat mighty South Africa 34-32 on Saturday, one of the greatest upsets in sport.
10 Jonathan Sexton (Ireland)
Ireland fans can rest easy as Sexton put in a fine 60 minutes against Canada after some worrying performances in the warm-ups. His line-kicking was exceptional and he controlled the game superbly to ensure that there were no shocks at the Millennium Stadium. The Leinster-bound pivot also contributed 14 points on the day.
9 Aaron Smith (New Zealand)
Smith had a lot to do as his forwards were having a tough time against the Pumas. He managed to get the ball away well and put in ferocious tackles on some big men. Kept the Argentina defence guessing and took his try very well.
1 Marcos Ayerza (Argentina)
Argentina came mightily close to turning over the World Cup holders in front of a record crowd at Wembley, and Ayerza epitomised the Pumas' efforts. The Leicester loosehead gave Owen Franks a tough workout in the scrum and formed an integral part of a herculean defensive effort from the South Americans. Ayerza, who didn't miss a tackle all afternoon, was the only front rower on either side to play the full 80 minutes.
2 Shota Horie (Japan)
The greatest upset in World Cup history would not have been secured without a solid set piece. Horie was assured at the lineout as Japan won 10 of their own 11 throws, one of which resulted in Ayumu Goromaru's stunning second-half try. Horie made 10 tackles and formed part of a Japanese scrum they coped surprisingly well against more powerful opposition.
3 Rabah Slimani (France)
Slimani was central as France dominated a poor Italian side in the scrum, forcing the Azzurri to concede three penalties on their own put-in. The Stade Francais tighthead was also effective in the loose, putting in six tackles and latching onto Frederic Michalak's grubber for his first international try. Two penalties conceded for offside will frustrate him though.
4 Luke Thompson (Japan)
Thompson played the full 80 minutes as he finally tasted victory in his third World Cup campaign. The lock made 13 tackles, 10 carries and won three lineouts while also forming part of an effective Japanese maul. He could win his 60th cap against Scotland on Wednesday; can he mark it with another stunning victory?
5 Iain Henderson (Ireland)
The powerful Ulsterman looks to have nailed down his starting place alongside Paul O'Connell after another standout performance against Canada. Henderson put in 19 tackles, the most of any Ireland player, while also making 36 metres from his 12 carries. He scored Ireland's second try as they punished the sin-binning of Jamie Cudmore and also answered question marks about his stamina by playing the full duration.
6 Michael Leitch (Japan)
Leitch tackled his heart out for his adopted country as Japan stunned the rugby world. The 26-year-old made a whopping 17 tackles and won three lineouts, and although he conceded three penalties, the positives far outweigh the negatives for the 26-year-old. Leitch also made 12 carries, the most of any of Japanese forward.
7 Justin Tipuric ( Wales)
Wales fans who are scrambling around for positives after another spate of injuries should look no further than Tipuric, who looks set to retain the No 7 shirt for next weekend's trip to Twickenham. The Ospreys openside completed all 11 of his tackles, the highest of any Wales player and one more than Sam Warburton, won five lineouts and also chipped in with a turnover.
8 Mamuka Gorgodze (Georgia)
Louis Picamoles starred for France but he fails to dislodge the inspirational Georgian captain, who led his country to a deserved victory over Tonga at Kingsholm. The Toulon back row took his tries tally to 24 in 62 tests, while putting in a mammoth 24 tackles. He also threw 10 offloads, beat five defenders, won four turnovers and was the go-to man in the lineout. Quite simply, the most complete performance of the opening weekend!
