KEY POINTS:
PARIS - Who were the best players of the 2007 World Cup? Not an easy question to answer but below are six who really came to the fore during this tournament.
Victor Matfield (South Africa: Age 30)
Confirmed his status as the world's leading lock with a series
of towering displays, none more impressive than his contribution to the Springboks 15-6 final win over England. Never looked like losing a ball when the lineout target on South Africa's throw and denied England a platform to build their game. England lock Ben Kay said South Africa didn't have a "complicated lineout". That may be so but with Matfield as the middle jumper it was mightily effective.
Bryan Habana (South Africa: Age 24)
One of the most thrilling sights in present-day rugby union is to watch the Springbok wing, also deceptively strong, in full flight. During the tournament he equalled Jonah Lomu's 1999 record of eight tries at a World Cup and demonstrated there was more to his game than pure pace. For example, the first of his two tries against Argentina saw him regather his own precise chip ahead before sprinting clear. Amidst all the rows about whether there were too many or too few black players in South Africa's side, no-one could question Habana's right to a place.
Juan Martin Hernandez (Argentina: Age 25)
Nicknamed the 'Maigician' the fly-half's touch may have deserted him during the semi-final defeat against South Africa but he was otherwise assured as the Pumas claimed a deserved third place - their best World Cup finish - to upset the old world order. Watching Hernandez gain Argentina field position with a series of lengthy and well-directed downfield kicks, as well as show good passing skills when launching attacks with ball in hand - the Pumas proving yet again they are now about more than a powerful scrum - you had to remind yourself he normally plays at full-back for Paris club Stade Francais.
Akapusi Qera (Fiji: Age 23)
For years the rugby world at large has marvelled at the play of Fiji's backs, whose handling skills have made the Pacific Island nation a major force in the sevens game. But this World Cup showed that they were adding nous up front to go with their renowned flair and of no-one was this more true than flanker Qera. Scored the first of Fiji's four tries in a dramatic 38-34 win over Wales when his excellent support play crowned a breathtaking move. Significantly, Wales's fight back only began when he was in the sin-bin. Sure to become a fans' favourite with English side Gloucester.
Finau Maka (Tonga: Age 30)
With his huge Afro hairstyle he was a hard man to miss in France. But any thoughts that the No 8 was all style and no substance were soon dismissed. You don't play in the back-row at Toulouse, one of France's leading clubs, just because of a distinctive appearance. In front of a global audience, he was able to demonstrate the tough-tackling and hard-charging game that are the key ingredients of his play, as was seen during the surprise win over Samoa and the narrow defeat to South Africa. Although qualified by residence for France, was overlooked by coach Bernard Laporte.
Andrew Sheridan (England: Age 27)
The qualified bricklayer cemented his position as one of the best props around by becoming the front-row keystone of England's scrum - the centrepiece of England's march to the final. He gave Wallaby prop Matt Dunning a wretchedly torrid time during the quarter-final win over Australia where England bullied their opponents out of the match and was impressive during the semi-final victory when up against a far more streetwise French front-row. At 6ft 4" (1.93m) and 19st 2lb (122 kg), he is an imposing figure yet off the field he is quietly spoken almost to the point of being shy.
- AFP