The 2023 World Cup was marked by many personalities who shone on the pitch. Talented players, controversial referees and powerful moments have captivated the attention of rugby fans around the world. Let’s take a look at some of these players from this memorable competition.
Will Jordan, the All Black winger, clearly left his mark on this edition of the World Cup. With his exceptional technical qualities, he managed to equal the record for the greatest number of tries scored in a single edition of the competition. His speed, vision and agility have made him stand out among the many talents in the New Zealand team.
In a disappointing Georgian team, Davit Niniashvili proved to be a real gem. His dynamic play and speed made him the most dangerous element of his team in attack. His magnificent try against Wales is the perfect illustration of this. At only 21 years old, he has a bright future with the Georgian team.
But the World Cup would not be complete without its share of controversies and contested refereeing. Ben O’Keeffe, the New Zealand referee, was at the center of all the discussions. Accused of having disadvantaged the France team during the quarter-final against South Africa, he came under fire from criticism. His refereeing was examined by World Rugby which noted several errors detrimental to the Blues. Which resulted in a wave of cyberharassment against him.
In the French camp, Antoine Dupont also marked this competition in a tragic way. During the group match against Namibia, he received a violent headbutt which caused a maxillo-zygomatic fracture. Despite this injury, he had the courage to return to the field three weeks later, in the quarter-final against South Africa. Unfortunately, France lost the match, and their World Cup ended prematurely.
Finally, it is important to mention less publicized but equally important players, such as Nicolas Martins, the Portuguese flanker. Voted man of the match in Portugal’s first World Cup victory, he was one of his team’s key players during the group matches. His talent and commitment attracted attention and offers from many clubs.
Jonathan Taumateine, Samoan scrum-half, stood out not only for his performances on the field, but also for his iconic haircut, nicknamed “the mullet cut”. His acrobatic try against Chile demonstrated his value and importance for his team.
Finally, Amato Fakatava, Japanese second row, made one of the most striking tries of the competition. His kick followed by a recovery allowed him to score a spectacular try against Argentina. Unfortunately, his team was dominated by the Pumas during this match.
In conclusion, the 2023 World Cup was a highlight of world rugby, showcasing exceptional talent, moments of controversy and stories of courage. These players all contributed to making this competition memorable and will be remembered by rugby fans for a long time.