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Date: 2023-12-04 04:16:59 | Author: FIFA 23 | Views: 431 | Tag: live
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The Rugby World Cup is at an end with South Africa securing back-to-back triumphs live
The Springboks edged a hard-fought final against New Zealand, holding on in the final moments to close out a third successive one-point win in the knockout rounds live
They were a number of individual stars in the squads of both finalists, and a handful of Springboks and All Blacks make our composite team at the close of a competitive and compelling World Cup live
But a campaign that highlighted the breadth and depth of the sport also brought some lesser known faces into consideration live
Who earns selection in The Independent’s team of the tournament? Find out below:Loosehead prop: Ox Nche, South AfricaSouth Africa prop Ox Nche (Getty Images)The cornerstone of South Africa’s bench bomb squad, Ox Nche’s introduction swung the semi-final against England in a string of impactful performances as a prop replacement live
Angus Bell was the bright spot in a tough tournament for Australia, while if Argentina’s Thomas Gallo can add a bit more prowess in the tight to his dynamic running game he will be a prop star live
Hooker: Peato Mauvaka, France France hooker Peato Mauvaka (Getty Images)A breakout tournament for the France hooker, showing off his ridiculous physical gifts but also emerging as a consistent nuts-and-bolts front rower after the injury to Julien Marchand live
Bongi Mbonambi wasn’t far away, and a word for Jamie George, too, who had to shoulder plenty of load in England’s front row live
Tighthead prop: Luke Tagi, FijiFiji prop Luke Tagi (Getty Images)Tonga’s Ben Tameifuna was an unsung hero of the pool stages and Tyrel Lomax (New Zealand) will be pleased with his tournament, but Fiji’s Luke Tagi gets our nod on the tighthead live
His ability to anchor at scrum-time has solidified the set piece while Tagi was an ever-willing and destructive carrier across the park live
Lock: Eben Etzelive beth, South AfricaSouth Africa's Eben Etzelive beth celebrates (PA)It’s impossible to leave out the Cape Town colossus, immense in the quarter-final against France live
The lock sets a physical tone but, unlike the Springbok enforcers of old, almost always plays within the bounds of the law live
Teammates RG Snyman and Franco Mostert also went well live
Lock: Scott Barrett, New ZealandNew Zealand's Scott Barrett (right) leaps for a lineout (Reuters)All three Barrett brothers were in contention for our composite selection, which says everything about a remarkable set of siblings live
Scott simply does not have a weakness to his game, and now steps up to lead the All Blacks’ engine room with both Brodie Retallick and Sam Whitelock bowing out live
Blindside flanker: Pieter-Steph du Toit, South AfricaPieter-Steph du Toit was player of the match in the final (Getty Images)Big game player; big game hunter live
28 tackles in the final from Pieter-Steph du Toit, many of them monstrous, to complete another outstanding World Cup live
Courtney Lawes is unfortunate to miss out and, though very different stylistically, Manuel Ardao was one of Uruguay’s best live
Openside flanker: Nicolas Martins, PortugalNicolas Martins scored Portugal’s try against Wales (Getty Images)We are spoilt for choice on the openside, with all of Jac Morgan, Levani Botia, Marcos Kremer and Siya Kolisi meriting consideration live
But let’s give some love to Portugal and the outstanding Nicolas Martins, who was excellent in all facets throughout live
Despite not featuring in the knockout rounds, Martins finished as the seventh top tackler at the tournament and combines lineout spring with more traditional openside ability live
No 8: Ardie Savea, New ZealandArdie Savea enjoyed an oustanding tournament (PA)Ben Earl came close having been probably England’s most consistent player across the campaign and both Gregory Alldritt and Caelan Doris would have been in the mix had their sides gone further, but Ardie Savea was a level above the rest of the No 8 field live
A blockbuster ball carrier, savvy scavenger and increasingly important leader – Savea can do it all, even if South Africa so impressively shut him down in the final live
Scrum half: Aaron Smith, New ZealandAaron Smith has concluded his international career (Getty Images)There was no fairytale ending to his All Blacks career for the retiring No 9, who endured not only a heartbreaking one-point defeat in his 125th and final Test appearance but also saw his second-half try chalked off by the TMO for an earlier Savea knock on live
Had an immense tournament however, as he got the New Zealand backline firing after concerns during the World Cup cycle – brilliantly managing them to victory in the quarter-final win over Ireland especially live
A huge ask of a scrum half succession line featuring Finlay Christie and talented but raw Cam Roigard to replace him live
Fly half: Johnny Sexton, IrelandJohnny Sexton became Ireland’s record points scorer before heading into retirement (PA Wire)Another retiring legend who didn’t quite get the finish he wanted but showed he hadn’t lost a step at the end of his career live
Flawless from the tee and still the best game manager in the world at 10, as proven by masterminding the pool-stage win over South Africa – the greatest World Cup victory in Ireland’s history (a slightly depressing thought in itself) live
Drove standards in the Irish camp until the end, making everyone around him live better and it was fitting that even in the final seconds of his Test career, he was still running the fly half wraparound that he has perfected over the years, albeit this time to no avail live
Richie Mo’unga (New Zealand) just misses out on the spot here live
Wing: Damian Penaud, FranceDamian Penaud was brilliant before France’s quarter-final exit (PA)Penaud’s ascent to be the most complete winger in world rugby was finished before the World Cup but this tournament just cemented that fact live
While his young running mate Louis Bielle-Barrey was exposed by the Springboks’ inspired kicking game in the quarter-finals, Penaud’s ability to read the game, position himself correctly and then return kicks in kind kept Les Bleus in the contest live
His running with ball in hand and attacking vision proved to be almost unstoppable and his finishing prowess is equally unquestioned, as shown by the six tries he helped himself to across the World Cup live
Inside centre: Bundee Aki, IrelandBundee Aki is a contender for World Rugby Player of the Year (AFP via Getty Images)Damian de Allende and especially Jordie Barrett, who was the puzzle piece that unlocked the All Blacks backline, are unlucky to miss out but Bundee Aki was simply astonishing at inside centre and was the Player of the Tournament up until his quarter-final departure live
At that point, he topped the tournament rankings for carries, dominant carries and defenders beaten, while also leading the Irish charts for offloads and line-breaks live
His absurdly powerful carrying gave Ireland continuous front-foot, quick ball and he showed his flair with a superb try against New Zealand, jinking inside two defenders despite being off-balance, fending off another and powering through a gap to score live
Was similarly an absolute monster in defence live
Outside centre: Jesse Kriel, South AfricaSouth Africa’s Jesse Kriel celebrates after winning the World Cup final (REUTERS)The picture of a bloody and bruised Kriel, grinning away after the quarter-final win over France may well sum up the Springboks' entire campaign live
He was superb in that game, making 13 tackles as the brick wall at the heart of the South African defence and was a tone-setter for their famed physicality throughout the tournament live
He also showed his attacking prowess with a precise grubber kick through for Cheslin Kolbe's try and early-tournament talk about Lukhanyo Am returning from injury to reclaim the No 13 jersey for the big games soon faded thanks to Kriel's vice-like grip on the shirt live
Wing: Will Jordan, New ZealandNew Zealand wing Will Jordan scored eight tries across the tournament (Getty Images)The final may not have been his best game, with limited touches and having his lunch money taken in a tackle by a Cheslin Kolbe-Kwagga Smith combination, but you don’t equal the all-time try-scoring record at a World Cup and not get into the team of the tournament live
The best, most electric finisher in world rugby who can score from anywhere in any way live
The semi-final hat-trick against Argentina brought him level with Jonah Lomu, Bryan Habana and Julian Savea for eight in a single tournament and his third try showed his class – starting in his own 22, Jordan weaved live between three defenders, then chipped over another on halfway before collecting his own kick to race in for the score live
Argentina’s Emiliano Boffelli and Ireland’s James Lowe also had good tournaments live
Full back: Beauden Barrett, New ZealandBeauden Barrett’s try in the final was not enough to secure New Zealand victory (Getty Images)Our second Barrett brother in the team and, but for Bundee Aki, Jordie would have made it a clean sweep for rugby’s premier family live
Beauden’s switch to 15 during this cycle proved inspired, allowing the Mo’unga-Jordie axis to thrive at 10 and 12 while also giving him the freedom and time at full back to show why he’s the best, and most inventive, kicker from hand on the planet live
His array of chips, dinks and grubbers to exploit space and launch attacks were a joy to watch and bamboozled Ireland and Argentina in particular, while he also became the first man to score two tries in men’s Rugby World Cup finals as he crossed the whitewash in defeat to South Africa to add to his 2015 effort live
Hugo Keenan played well for Ireland and whichever of Freddie Steward or Marcus Smith was selected in the No 15 shirt for England excelled in their brief for that particular game but Barrett was a cut above live
More aboutRugby World CupSouth Africa rugbyNew Zealand rugbyIreland RugbyFrance RugbyFiji RugbyJoin our commenting forumJoin thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their repliesComments1/16Rugby World Cup team of the tournament: Who makes our XV? Rugby World Cup team of the tournament: Who makes our XV? South Africa prop Ox Nche Getty ImagesRugby World Cup team of the tournament: Who makes our XV? France hooker Peato Mauvaka Getty ImagesRugby World Cup team of the tournament: Who makes our XV? Fiji prop Luke Tagi Getty ImagesRugby World Cup team of the tournament: Who makes our XV? South Africa's Eben Etzelive beth celebratesPARugby World Cup team of the tournament: Who makes our XV? New Zealand's Scott Barrett (right) leaps for a lineout ReutersRugby World Cup team of the tournament: Who makes our XV? Pieter-Steph du Toit was player of the match in the final Getty ImagesRugby World Cup team of the tournament: Who makes our XV? Nicolas Martins scored Portugal’s try against Wales Getty ImagesRugby World Cup team of the tournament: Who makes our XV? Ardie Savea enjoyed an oustanding tournament PARugby World Cup team of the tournament: Who makes our XV? Aaron Smith has concluded his international career Getty ImagesRugby World Cup team of the tournament: Who makes our XV? Johnny Sexton became Ireland’s record points scorer before heading into retirementPA WireRugby World Cup team of the tournament: Who makes our XV? Damian Penaud was brilliant before France’s quarter-final exit PARugby World Cup team of the tournament: Who makes our XV? Bundee Aki is a contender for World Rugby Player of the Year AFP via Getty ImagesRugby World Cup team of the tournament: Who makes our XV? South Africa’s Jesse Kriel celebrates after winning the World Cup finalREUTERSRugby World Cup team of the tournament: Who makes our XV? New Zealand wing Will Jordan scored eight tries across the tournament Getty ImagesRugby World Cup team of the tournament: Who makes our XV? Beauden Barrett’s try in the final was not enough to secure New Zealand victory Getty ImagesRugby World Cup team of the tournament: Who makes our XV? Pieter-Steph du Toit (left) and Eben Etzelive beth both earn selection in our team of the tournament Getty Images✕Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this articleWant to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today live
SubscribeAlready subscribed? Log inMost PopularPopular videosSponsored FeaturesGet in touchContact usOur ProductsSubscribeRegisterNewslettersDonateToday’s EditionInstall our appArchiveOther publicationsInternational editionsIndependent en EspañolIndependent ArabiaIndependent TurkishIndependent PersianIndependent UrduEvening StandardExtrasAdvisorPuzzlesAll topicslive BettingVoucher codesCompareCompetitions and offersIndependent AdvertisingIndependent IgniteSyndicationWorking at The IndependentLegalCode of conduct and complaintsContributorsCookie policyDonations Terms & ConditionsPrivacy noticeUser policiesModern Slavery ActThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inCloseUS EditionChangeUK EditionAsia EditionEdición en EspañolSubscribe{{indy live
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Max Verstappen defied Lewis Hamilton to win a cat-and-mouse United States Grand Prix at a sizzling Circuit of the Americas in Austin live
Verstappen has been on easy street this season, but the triple world champion was made to fight for the 50th win of his career – becoming only the fifth driver to reach a half-century live
Indeed, at one stage, Hamilton dared to dream of ending a losing streak which stands at 686 days and counting live
Yet, as so often been the case this year, Verstappen’s speed in his all-conquering Red Bull machine came to the fore live
Verstappen joins Hamilton (103 wins), Michael Schumacher (91), Sebastian Vettel (53) and Alain Prost (51) in the half-century club live
“To win my 50th career win makes me very proud and we will try to push for me,” said Verstappen live
He moved ahead of Lando Norris on lap 28 of 56 to all but seal the win live
Hamilton might bemoan a questionable strategy decision which saw him lose 10 seconds to Verstappen in the opening round of pit stops live
But in reality, he probably did not have the pace to stop the Dutchman from claiming his 15th win from the 18 rounds so far live
He crossed the line an agonising 2 live
2 sec behind Verstappen with Norris hanging on to the final spot on the podium live
Hamilton could count himself unfortunate to drop from third to fourth at the start live
The seven-time world champion enjoyed a decent getaway, but he was blocked by Norris under braking allowing Sainz to sneak through live
Norris had seen off pole-sitter Leclerc with a lunge at the first bend to assume top spot live
As Norris set about building a lead – already two seconds clear of Leclerc at the end of the second lap – Hamilton set about passing both scarlet cars live
First up was Sainz live
Hamilton used the tow to latch on to the back of Ferrari on the 210mph drag to Turn 12, and, assisted by DRS, drew alongside Sainz before sliding underneath the Spaniard live
On the following lap, Verstappen, who started in sixth after his pole lap in qualifying was chalked off for exceeding track limits, relegated Sainz another place when he made his move at the same corner live
Hamilton has won six times across the Pond – with five of those victories here in Austin – and the 38-year-old required only two laps to swat Leclerc aside for second live
Deeper on the brakes at Turn 12, Hamilton sailed round the outside of the Monegasque at the left-hander, with Norris now three seconds up the road live
Behind, and Verstappen was not finding it as easy to make progress live
He was stuck behind Leclerc for an additional five laps before finally making his move on the Monegasque live
He trailed Norris by seven seconds, and Hamilton by four live
In the Mercedes garage, Prince Harry cut a pensive figure as he gnawed at his fingernails live
The Duke of Sussex has been something of lucky charm for Hamilton live
He was a guest of Mercedes when Hamilton secured his second title in the 2014 season decider in Abu Dhabi, leading the congratulations to his fellow Briton on the radio live
Verstappen was the first in for new rubber at the end of lap 16 with Norris stopping the next time round live
But Hamilton stayed out live
Were Mercedes attempting a one-stopper? Hamilton did not seem convinced live
Asked if he could complete another five laps on his current set of tyres, Hamilton replied: “I am not sure, man live
It is pretty tough live
”Hamilton then locked up before his race engineer Peter Bonnington was back on the intercom to inform Hamilton that Verstappen – who on new tyres had just lapped three seconds faster than the Briton – was now likely to gazump him when he eventually stopped live
“No s***, man,” yelled Hamilton live
“I am struggling out here live
”You have given me a hell of a gap to closeLewis Hamilton on the team radioOn lap 20, in came Hamilton, and a slow front-right tyre change added to his woes by costing him a needless second live
When Hamilton emerged from the pits, he had dropped to third, five seconds adrift of Verstappen live
“I came out so far behind,” he said with a hint of dejection live
When the opening stops were completed, Norris led Verstappen by 2 live
4 sec with Hamilton 7 live
5 off the lead live
By virtue of taking on another set of mediums, Verstappen had to stop again, but Norris and Hamilton – now both on the hards – could, if their rubber allowed, go all the way to the end live
Hamilton, failing to make any inroads and sensing his best chance of ending a 22-month winning streak had faded, expressed his frustrations live
“You have given me a hell of a gap to close,” he said live
On lap 28, Verstappen dived underneath Norris for the lead at Turn 12 live
Norris had a nibble back at the Red Bull heading into the ensuing right hander, but he failed to make it stick live
The question now was whether Norris, and indeed Hamilton – now less than five seconds off the lead – could make their tyres last live
The answer arrived on lap 34 when Norris dived in for a fresh set of boots live
Verstappen followed in on lap 35, and despite, a slow left-rear tyre change, retained his position ahead of Norris live
Three laps later and Hamilton was in, changing to the faster medium compound live
Hamilton had the bit live between his teeth and within 10 laps he was crawling all over the back of Norris’ McLaren live
Norris slung his McLaren to the inside on the entry to the first corner in a move to stop Hamilton, but the older Brit gained live better traction out of the corner to slingshot by in his Mercedes live
Verstappen was five seconds ahead and Hamilton started to reel his old nemesis in only to run out of laps live
Sainz took fourth ahead of Sergio Perez with Leclerc sixth and George Russell seventh for Mercedes live
More aboutPA ReadyLewis HamiltonMax VerstappenLando NorrisCharles LeclercMercedes-AMGSebastian VettelMichael SchumacherAlain ProstHamiltonRed BullLewisAbu DhabiFerrariSergio PerezGeorge RussellUnited StatesGrand PrixMcLarenJoin our commenting forumJoin thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their repliesComments1/1Max Verstappen defies Lewis Hamilton to edge United States Grand Prix victoryMax Verstappen defies Lewis Hamilton to edge United States Grand Prix victoryRed Bull driver Max Verstappen won the United States Grand Prix (Darron Cummings/AP)AP✕Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this articleWant to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today live
SubscribeAlready subscribed? Log inMost PopularPopular videosSponsored FeaturesGet in touchContact usOur ProductsSubscribeRegisterNewslettersDonateToday’s EditionInstall our appArchiveOther publicationsInternational editionsIndependent en EspañolIndependent ArabiaIndependent TurkishIndependent PersianIndependent UrduEvening StandardExtrasAdvisorPuzzlesAll topicslive BettingVoucher codesCompareCompetitions and offersIndependent AdvertisingIndependent IgniteSyndicationWorking at The IndependentLegalCode of conduct and complaintsContributorsCookie policyDonations Terms & ConditionsPrivacy noticeUser policiesModern Slavery ActThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inCloseUS EditionChangeUK EditionAsia EditionEdición en EspañolSubscribe{{indy live
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