With the World Cup now at the quarter-final stage, it is time to say farewell to a large number of players who lit up the tournament but have now departed. With that in mind, here is a team consisting of the best XV players from teams knocked out at the pool stage.

By definition, at times some of these players will have been under enormous pressure and either consistently answered the questions asked of them by dominant countries or performed like World XV players for one big game.

1. Siegfried Fisiihoi – Tonga

Fisiihoi has been picked for a monstrous effort against France. The opposite man in the scrum was the high-class tighthead veteran Rabah Slimani who has given most world-class looseheads a going over at one time or another. Fisiihoi won that battle and many more on a day that nearly rocked France.

2. Torsten van Jaarsveld – Namibia

A horde of hookers had a big tournament. The Argentina hooker Julian Montoya bagged a hat-trick. German Kessler, the Uruguayan, had a huge day against Fiji. I love watching Jaba Bregvadze of Georgia. Stanislav Selskii, the Russian, is another I would be keen to have in my team. But the blonde bombshell Van Jaarsveld was irrepressible against the All Blacks. All-action hero.

3. Levan Chilachava – Georgia

I guess there are no surprises about a Georgian tighthead in my front row. It is their bread and butter. Chilachava's impact off the bench was destructive against Wales and took Uruguay to the cleaners from the start. He won ruck penalties, tackled anything that moved and dominated most scrums that he was involved in. A tighthead that can score a couple of tries is always useful, one apiece against Wales and Uruguay.

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4. Guido Petti – Argentina

No question, had Argentina made it out of the group then Petti would be considered in the team of the tournament. As Argentina slowly ebbed away, this absolute Titan never dipped his standards. Petti must have sat in the changing room after the narrow loss to France and wondered what he needs to do to win a game, such was his brilliance. Lineout steals, cover tackles, and a try.

5. Manuel Leindekar – Uruguay

Tjiuee Uanivi, of Namibia, had a huge tournament. Italy's Dean Budd was highly impressive and had a brilliant World Cup. But Leindekar backed up his awesome effort against Fiji whenever he played. A constant source of possession for Uruguay and a lighthouse in the middle that had to be avoided by opposition hookers.

6. Chris Vui – Samoa

Juan Manuel Gaminara, the Uruguay captain, was truly epic against Fiji. The Italian bulldozer Sebastian Negri enhanced his already well known reputation. I loved watching Tony Lamborn play for United States. Lamborn was not perfect, but if you were coaching a team of underdogs then you would ask for 15 guys with Lamborn’s commitment. Vui just looks like a class operator. Set-piece lineout technician, ball carrying unit, tree-feller and a wonderful ball handler.

7. Tagir Gadzhiev – Russia

Semi Kunatani, of Fiji, is a special player. Marcos Kremer, of Argentina, can leave with his head held high. Tonga's Zane Kapeli introduced himself to a few over the course of the tournament. But Gadzhiev may well be my player of the pool stages and that is even if you consider the teams that qualified. Gadzhiev just did not know he was beaten. As games wore on he looked like he had done a winter on the Eastern Front. But he never failed to rise to his feet, to cover the ground, to bring men down. Ferocious at breakdowns. A truly sensational World Cup performance.

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8. Braam Steyn – Italy

Otari Giorgadze, of Georgia, is developing in to a top-class operator. Tyler Ardron had his hands full at the back of the American pack, but always threw himself forward. Namibia's Janco Venter had a series of outstanding performances. But Steyn was superb. Played at six when Sergio Parisse played, but had his big game at eight against the Canadians. Jake Polledri played seven, Sebastian Negri at six. I do not think I have ever seen Italy play better and I have watched them since 1977. Steyn was everywhere, doing everything. I mean everything.

9. George Horne – Scotland

Santiago Arata was excellent for Uruguay – scoring their opener against Fiji that started the upset. I am a big fan of Georgia's Gela Aprasidze. But George Horne was sensational in Scotland’s win over Russia. Denied a fourth try by a forward pass ruling that looked like Wayne Barnes was having sympathy for Russia. But the sun was shining. The Scottish team were given free rein. Adam Hastings was magnificent. And at the heart of it all was this little legend. Horne’s hat-trick was a combination of opportunism, pace, awareness, and selflessness.

10. Aj MacGinty – USA

Adam Hastings was off the charts good against Russia. Ben Volavola gave Fiji real control and calmness, a genuine fly-half for Fiji to play off. Tommaso Allan is developing into a top-class international fly-half for Italy. Real composure and control. MacGinty may not have been at his best against Argentina, but against France and England he played with authority and composure when he was under real pressure for most of the game when his pack were under the pump. Not blessed with pace, he still finds half gaps, such is his game awareness. Superb kicking game. And brave. Very brave.

11. Semi Radradra – Fiji

Radradra was a different animal against Wales. Played rugby from another planet. Snapped Liam Williams in half with one tackle. Ran round George North. Ran over forwards. Did whatever he wanted. When your Welsh counterpart left wing gets a hat-trick – Josh Adams – and you still get man of the match, you were pretty special.

Semi Radradra had a brilliant game against Wales credit: reuters

12. Levani Botia – Fiji

Jeronimo de la Fuente put a real shift in the Argentina midfield during this World Cup. Played all four matches. Bagged a five-pointer against the United States. Complete workhorse for Argentina – but can play footy as well. Botia left the field early for Fiji against Wales and there was a collective sigh of relief in the valleys. Was an absolute monster in the midfield and at the breakdown. No surprise to see he was not in the starting XV in the loss to Uruguay. Was monumental against Australia and dominated a breakdown that had David Pocock and Michael Hooper involved.

13. Siale Piutau – Tonga

Left-field selection could have been Juan Cruz Mallia, who came into the Argentina team for the America game and ran riot in the midfield with two tries. What could have been if this lad had a crack at the French in the opening pool game. I liked Marcel Brache’s World Cup – the gangly American made inroads with the ball and boxed clever in defence. But I’ve gone with the awesome leader-warrior Piutau. Played some at 12 and some at 13. Totally selfless player and leader. Team first, always.

14. Nicolas Freitas – Uruguay

Loads of one-hit wonders here. Lesley Klim, of Namibia, had a crack against the All Blacks. Samoa's Alapati Leiua bagged a brace against Russia. Matias Moroni is so courageous for Argentina. Jeff Hassler had a dig for the Canadians. Blaine Scully grabbed two for America against Argentina. It is a wide open selection on the right wing. I have picked Freitas, who was consistently good – a powerful player, who was happy to go up against Wales, Fiji, and Australia. Always made yards. Possesses Chris Hoy quads and can dance a bit as well. Never ever backed away from anyone.

15. Matteo Minozzi – Italy

A sackful of options again. Tim Nanai-Williams, of Samoa, was always fun to watch, pulling cards from his sleeve. Scotland's Stuart Hogg is a proper rugby player at the back. Kini Murimurivalu was a rock at the back for Fiji – a giant of a bloke to stop and hits hard. Telusa Veainu never has a bad game, and scored a couple of five-pointers against Argentina. But Minozzi is a special little player with two tries in three games. I genuinely believe Italy’s win over Canada was as good as I have ever seen them play as a XV. Yes, there was power up front from Jake Polledri and friends, but Minozzi was world class in defence and attack. He is a great stepper, has top short-yardage acceleration, is a clever defender, and aware of the space two phases before it appears to the naked eye. Superb.