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Rugby

06th Oct 2015

Magic Moments: The best tackles, tries and plays from the Rugby World Cup

Another great week of RWC2015 action

Patrick McCarry

The Rugby World Cup quarter-final picture is coming into focus. New Zealand, Australia, Wales and Ireland will all be there, among others, but England will not.

We were treated to more fantastic moments, memories and sparks of social media genius as the World Cup went up a gear.

Here are the magic moments of the past few rugby-filled days.

Try of the Week

Argentina, Samoa, Australia, New Zealand and Ireland [Keith Earls] all had worthy candidates but we’re bestowing this honour on the excellent Scottish winger Tommy Seymour.

Most of the damage was done by Duncan Weir, who intercepted the ball in his own 22 and left two Springboks in a bundle with an insane step [14 seconds in] before keeping the ball alive at the far end of the pitch.

Tim Visser was on hand and he dished a pass back to Seymour to do his worst.

Pass of the Week

There was talk, last week, of Dan Biggar being better than Johnny Sexton on current form.

While the Welshman is having an excellent tournament, his backline play trails Sexton.

This sumptuous reverse pass from the Irish No 10 to Robbie Henshaw unlocked the Italian defence.

Henshaw’s offload to Keith Earls did the rest and the Munster man became his country’s leading World Cup try-scorer.

Cheeky chappie of the week

Only one contender – Jamie Cudmore sneaks his way into a French huddle. Now, now.

Tackle of the Week

There are two worthy inclusions here.

First up, that superb, last-ditch Peter O’Mahony tackle on Josh Furno that prevented a certain try.

There was another try-saving intervention in the Wales v Fiji game, late last week.

Levani Botia started off here [circled] when Tyler Morgan set off upfield.

BOTIAS

By the time the ball reached Toby Faletau, there looked to be an easy try on, under the posts, but Botia was not giving up.

Bonkers Play of the Week

Nathan Hirayama with the type of senseless kicking that must have had the Canadian forwards pulling out their beards out.

The Canucks had just rocked France on their heels with two tries when Hirayama punted a nothing ball back into French arms. 120 seconds and the French had scored another try.

Spedding take

Social media’s finest offerings

El Diego having a boogie with the Pumas after their weekend win.

Jamie Cudmore has a dig at England refusing to play their Top 14 stars but selecting Sam Burgess.

Sergio Parisse appreciation clip of the week

Welcome to my world Mike Ross.

https://twitter.com/philousports/status/650700257500598272?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Player that impressed us the most

Bernard Foley is seen as the safe pair of hands by many Australian supporters but he showed just how lethal a backline runner, and playmaker, he could be.

The Waratahs out-half scored two thrilling tries against England as he sliced the tournament hosts apart.

His first came after he sold a pass dummy and his second was a give and take, with Kurtley Beale timing his return pass perfectly so as to eliminate Mike Brown.

Added to that, Foley kicked three conversions and four penalties to register 28 points – overtaking Matt Burke as the highest individual Aussie score against the Poms.

MasterCard is turning the world oval for Rugby World Cup 2015. For your chance to win tickets to one of the matches please visit pricelessIreland.ie

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