OPINION: NEW ZEALAND'S DOMINANCE OF THE WORLD CUP HAS EARNED THE WORLD'S TOP TEAM EVEN MORE ACCOLADES.
The All Blacks also dominates rugby365's famous Team of the Tournament.
The Kiwis have double the number of players of the next best side, Australia, in our starting XV.
They have six players in our first-choice selection, with the tournament runners-up Wallabies providing three and hird-placed South Africa two.Canada, Fiji, Scotland and Argentina make up he numbers with one each.
The Pumas, who lost to the Springboks in the third-place play-off, have plenty of reward in our back-up selection - with four players bubbling under.
There is also recognition for South Africa (three), Japan (two), Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Georgia, Wales and Ireland (one each).
Team of the Tournament:
15 - Ben Smith (New Zealand):
It was the sentimental vote against the realists, but in the end Smith's overall class and consistency won through.
Bubbling under: Ayuma Goromaru (Japan)
14 - Nehe Milner-Skudder (New Zealand):
A very tight race between two of the tournament's most lethal finishers. Milner-Skudder had the stronger finish to the global showpiece.
Bubbling under: Santiago Cordero (Argentina)
13 - Tevita Kuridrani (Australia):
He is obviously a very powerful player, but showed he has more than just one dimension to his game.
Bubbling under: Keith Earls (Ireland)
12 - Ma'a Nonu (New Zealand):
He finished with a bang, one of the best tries, but showed throughout the tournament why he is rated one of the premier No.12s in the world - especially some of those subtle touches that often get overlooked.
Bubbling under: Damian de Allende (South Africa)
11 - DTH van der Merwe (Canada):
Showed his class and finishing ability even when his team was being pummelled. His experience from playing in Europe's top competitions clearly shone through.
Bubbling under: Drew Mitchell (Australia)
10 - Dan Carter (New Zealand):
If you ever doubted he was the best, go watch replays of the semifinal and Final. He not only has bucketloads of BMT, but showed that he is as sharp as ever.
Bubbling under: Nicholas Sanchez (Argentina)
9 - Fourie du Preez (South Africa):
To say we disagreed on this position would be an understatement. Du Preez was the key to South Africa's progress to the semifinals, while Aaron Smith showed his class in the key games that got New Zealand to the title. With neither totally dominant - and Gareth Davies, Nemia Kenatale and Greig Laidlaw also in our selection frame - Du Preez eventually edged it with his overall form.
Bubbling under: Aaron Smith (New Zealand)
8 - David Pocock (Australia):
He brought a new dimension to the position and showed that you can combine brain with brawn.
Bubbling under: Mamuka Gorgodze (Georgia)
7 - Richie McCaw (New Zealand):
Was there ever any doubt about master McCaw? Certainly not after his dominant showing in the Final.
Bubbling under: Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe (Argentina)
6 - Francois Louw (South Africa):
One of the few Springboks who can write the word 'consistent' behind his performances.
Bubbling under: Michael Leitch (Japan)
5 - Leone Nakarawa (Fiji):
Not often you get a lock with the pace of a wing and the skills of a centre.
Bubbling under: Alun-Wyn Jones (Wales)
4 - Brodie Retallick (New Zealand):
If he was not already so, he certainly took a giant leap towards being the world's most accomplished No.4 lock - combining his skill with the muscle of an enforcer and an immense workrate to boot.
Bubbling under: Eben Etzebeth (South Africa)
3 - Willem Nel (Scotland):
Those who wondered if he was of international class now have their answer. He certainly would not have et the Springboks down either, but Scotland is reaping the benefits of his switch of allegiances.
Bubbling under: Frans Malherbe (South Africa)
2 - Augustin Creevy (Argentina):
He was the rock of the Pumas tam and it only became more obvious through his absence in the final match.
Bubbling under: Rory Best (Ireland)
1 - Scott Sio (Australia):
He provided the stability that the Australian scrum lacked for years and contributed in other facets of the game as well.
Bubbling under: Marcos Ayerza (Argentina)
