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The Rugby world applauds
Mark Hughes Story by Sportal for the ARU
Friday, October 05, 2007 - 10:56 AM (AEST)
With the preliminary games completed and the quarter-finalists decided it is time to take a look back at the players who have impressed for some of the lesser-known nations in what was an enthralling set of pool games in the 2007 Rugby World Cup.
There is no doubt the talk of the tournament was the incredible form of Tonga. The tiny Pacific Island nation went within a whisker of making it through to the last eight after pushing South Africa and England to the limit.
Skipper Nili Latu was an inspirational leader but the superstar in this team was big number eight Finau Maka. With his huge afro and giant muscles he was an imposing figure on the field and he simply smashed opposition packs into submission. Apparently he warmed up for games by banging his head against a wall but after the final whistle he would be all smiles and carried his young son around the ground as he waved to a growing legion of adoring fans.
Japan can be proud of its achievements at this World Cup with the standout players the centre combination of Shotaro Onishi and Koji Taira. They regularly slashed through opposition defences in a great display of ball-in-hand running and the pair combined to give their country a thrilling 12-12 draw with Canada in one of the best matches of the tournament.
Georgia played some inspired footy led by a huge pack that played disciplined rugby. The Georgians gave Ireland a huge scare, going down by just four points in a thriller with winger Giorgi Shkinin scoring a 70m screamer. Hooker Akvsenti Giorgadze also scored a great try in his country's first-ever RWC win when it beat Namibia 30-0 while flyhalf Merab Kvirikashvili put in some eye-catching displays.
Canada also played some decent rugby with skipper Morgan Williams leading the way along with impressive fullback Chris Pyke and winger Dth van der Merwe. The rangy custodian showed enough skills at the back to suggest he is a world-class player while South African-born van der Merwe played like he was a 120-kilogram islander rather than the spritely speedster he is.
North American neighbours the USA gave a few thrills with the main being the incredible speed of winger Takudzwa Ngwenya. His try against South Africa when he stepped around noted sprinter Bryan Habana and left the Springbok eating his dust was incredible to watch. Prop Matekitonga Moeakiola also gets special mention for his bullocking try against the Poms.
If you are talking about courage look no further than Romania captain Sorin Socol. The big second-rower took a battering, particularly against the Kiwis and the Scots, but was always on hand to crash into opposition packs. But the outstanding player for Romania was hooker Marius Tincu. The big fella scored three tries in four games (yes a hooker scoring tries - hold the phone Phil Kearns wants to sign him up for the Waratahs) including a pearler against the All Blacks and the late match-winner against Portugal in one of the most exciting contests in this World Cup.
Portugal's reserve prop Rui Cordeiro ensured himself free beers for the rest of his life when he crashed over for a try against New Zealand while winger Pedro Carvalho picked up his country's first try in what was a successful, if winless, debut appearance at the Rugby World Cup.
Likewise, Namibian centre Piet van Zyl and flanker Jacques Nieuwenhuis will probably have streets named after them after they crossed for tries in the narrow defeat to rugby giants Ireland.
Samoa must be disappointed with its performance at this RWC after promising so much in previous campaigns. However, fullback Gavin Williams, who scored nearly all his country's points and barnstorming number eight Henry Tuilagi, can stand proud while Brian Lima deserves special mention for playing in a record fifth RWC.
Fiji is still in the tournament but I can't finish this article without making mention of big second-rowers Kele Leawere and Ifereimi Rawaqa. Although both are almost two-metres in height and well over 110 kilos, they posses the ball-playing skills and sidesteps of a flyhalf. Their performances against Canada and Wales were breath-taking while fullback Kameli Ratuvou and number 10 Nicky Little were also outstanding in the pool matches particularly in the 38-34 win over Wales in what must rate as one of the best RWC matches of all time.
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