Julian Savea 7
Guardian writer Robert Kitson called the quarterfinal destruction of France "cruel beauty", and Savea's try on halftime when he stampeded through and past a trio of defenders summed this up perfectly. Wingers must be a versatile lot and he worked hard in the centre of the field in the first half of the final, but was less influential in the second. A decent but uneven World Cup and to be harsh, not the tournament star he might have been.
Waisake Naholo 4
Was always a bit of a punt, and one that was never fully tested. Started with a magnificent try against Georgia, but looked well short of match alertness after a long injury break. Charles Piutau a better option.
Conrad Smith 7
Went out on a very good note in the final, despite only lasting half the match against Australia. A crucial influence, especially given Dan Carter's limited role in recent years. In truth, his observable contribution was limited, but the bottom line is this: it worked.
Malakai Fekitoa 4
Was always going to struggle to break in and didn't overly help his cause on limited chances against weaker pool opponents. A couple of good moments against Namibia.
Ma'a Nonu 9
Came up with the biggest moments of the World Cup, both involving long angled runs. Pundits favourite as man of the tournament. He set up Beauden Barrett against the Springboks in the semifinal, then went on a never-to-be-forgotten charge off an SBW pass in the final to score himself. His playmaking might have been a touch limited, but he often got the All Blacks on the front foot.
Sonny Bill Williams 8
Strong in the pool, important moments in the playoffs. Got to partner Nonu as a replacement which was an unexpected plot twist. Did the job with offloads and straight running. A classic bench option.
Dan Carter 9
His calm authority in the semifinal against South Africa's limited tactics stands out. Carter finished in style, and his restrained running was later explained, partly, by a knee injury. Carter has always been a consummate defender and he excelled in the final. Nailed the goals and didn't overplay his hand. His late-career shift included a penchant for drop goals. A full part in a World Cup triumph is what the great man so fully deserved. He is for many people's money the finest No. 10 in rugby history, even if he lacked the sharpest footwork of Phil Bennett and co.
Beauden Barrett 7
The super-sub's late try in the final, where his high-speed shuffle gave the Aussie chasers no chance, was the icing on an okay cake. Struggled to join the party against France in the quarters but did the bizzo when required in the semifinal and final. Given a start against Namibia but couldn't lift himself above the messy affair and goalkicking again proved a worry.
Colin Slade 3
A start at fullback against Namibia was his World Cup, an ugly game as it turned out. He was always going to be cover for the cover, and a low injury rate put paid to his chances.
Aaron Smith 7
Still a terrific halfback, but not his finest work. His sharp passing was again pivotal, but his running was down and some kicking astray. Time for a wee re-boot after a rapid rise to being the best halfback in world rugby.
Tawera Kerr-Barlow 6
A big mover in an understated way. After a long injury break, he established himself as the No. 2 halfback behind Smith. His running ability makes him an ideal bench proposition.
TJ Perenara 5
One of the flops to be honest. Went as the No. 2 halfback, came back as No. 3. Looks like one of those players who might have trouble bringing his best stuff to the test stage. Almost needs to loosen up.
Kieran Read 7
Very difficult to judge. On one hand, he did a decent job in the trenches and was a lineout stealing ace. On the other, nothing like the player whose ball playing and running made him the IRB player of the year in 2013. His is also making a lot of handling errors and a weird up and under in the final epitomised his confused game. McCaw set the standard for going on and on and on...but we can't expect that from everybody. Maybe head knocks have also taken a toll.
Richie McCaw 9
What more can be said? He has pulled New Zealand rugby along with him, setting standards in longevity that can't be matched. And yet there has hardly been a big head or wrong word along the way. In a sport of continually loose contests for the ball, he has worked out all the angles while enduring pathetic claims about cheating and stupid attacks from some opponents. The man is a miracle, and he has also re-shaped the ethos within the test camp. It is now all about respect, egalitarianism and hard work. You have to wonder where New Zealand rugby might have been without him. As for this World Cup, it was simply business as usual from Richie McCaw.
Sam Cane 6
Serving one of rugby's longest modern day apprenticeships behind McCaw. His stature within the camp was emphasised by his being named captain against Namibia. Had a poor stint in the semifinal, and got a token gesture minute in the final so can't be said to have had a great tournament. Just making the bench was a mini triumph though. In some ways, his test career really starts now.
Victor Vito 6
Steve Hansen resisted throwing Vito into the fray when a moderately performing Read suffered an injury problem during the final. That tells a story - Vito is highly competent but tends to fade into the background at the highest level. Some big challengers are rising - Akira Ioane, Ardie Savea, Elliot Dixon and co.
Liam Messam 3
A quarter of an hour against Tonga was his lot. Fell off the radar, a situation magnified by the modern day trend of using players as waterboys. Picked up early injury and couldn't force his way in. One of those players with a really decent mid-level test career, for whom the World Cup glory just didn't happen through back luck or timing or form.
Jerome Kaino 9
Kapow and wow. What a tournament, starting every game. He had a huge influence in the big playoff matches. His sheer physical impact stood out. He made his presence felt from the outset in the semifinal and final. In hindsight, his Japan sojourn worked a treat, for his bank balance and freshening the big loose forward up. Deserves to be regarded as an All Blacks legend for his contribution to successive World Cup crowns.
Brodie Retallick 8
Lineout stealer, defender, ball carrier, turnover merchant, crusher of Matt Giteau...ie a raw boned star. Is he playing up to his very best? Maybe not. Whatever, he was still very good. Already talked about as one of the finest locks ever at the tender age of 24.
Sam Whitelock 9
The consensus is he got better as the tournament progressed, which is quite some rap and he started in every match. Will long be remembered for that crucial lineout steal on defence against South Africa. Terrific tackler, and has worked his way back to level pegging with Retallick.
Luke Romano 5
The ball carrying lock dropped out of the picture after the group stage, when the coaches decided to select two loose forwards on the bench. Whether this reflected his form or their team formation is hard to tell, but was a bit surprising.
Owen Franks 7
The scrum bulwark held off what seemed, briefly, to be a challenge from Charlie Faumuina. Some improved work around the field as well, although he will never be a great ball carrier which is where the game might be heading.
Charlie Faumuina 7
Considering he was coming off a neck operation and extended break the big tighthead did pretty well in his impact role, both with and without the ball.
Ben Franks 6
The utility prop saw loosehead replacement Joe Moody literally fly over him and into the starting lineup. Crockett's injury got him Franks to the final 23. Adequate.
Tony Woodcock 6
Never got to test his old legs in the big games, having scored a try then wrecked a hamstring in the final pool game against Tonga. Limped out of his test career in distress, an unfortunate end for an All Black great.
Wyatt Crockett 6
A big opportunity to make his mark after Woodcock was injured, but was hit by injury himself and Moody then zoomed into the team and prominence.
Joe Moody 7
Excellent effort having been rushed in from New Zealand when Woodcock went down. Produced a top offload for a try against France, and did the job against South Africa and Australia. Good scrums and quite agile around the field although some errors.
Dane Coles 8
Superb in many ways, a highlight being his lineout throwing in the final. No classic long range Coles tries, but lots of other good stuff including low defence. He stayed healthy, luckily for the All Blacks.
Keven Mealamu 6
All things being equal, a younger backup for Coles should have emerged. But the 36-year-old veteran filled the gap well in small doses.
Codie Taylor 3
One average match against Namibia does not make for a great score. Still something of a mystery man. The hooker questions remain unanswered.
