Who’s hot… and who’s not!; Planet Rugby

They're on fire!!

David Pocock and Bernard Foley's Wallabies: Australia are many pundits' new favourites for the Rugby World Cup title after their scintillating display at Twickenhamas they knocked out the hosts and moved to the top of the 'Pool of Death'. Pocock was the star of the show, ruling at the breakdown in tandem with Michael Hooper while Foley put on arguably his best performance of the year.

Japan: It's official: Beating the Springboks was not a flash-in-the-pan result. A dominant victory over Samoa has confirmed the Brave Blossoms as a rising force in the world game. They need Samoa to do them a favour and beat Scotland to keep their dream of reaching the quarter-finals alive, but Eddie Jones' team have become the fairytale story of RWC 2015.

Argentina: Looking good on Sunday as they thrashed Tonga 45-18 to book their spot in the quarter-finals, with a performance that will send a message to every side that they will be tough to handle in the knockout stages. Nicolás Sánchez was the star of the show, cheered on by a exceptional happy Diego Maradona in Leicester.

Lood de Jager: Victor who? The Springboks' young locks were awesome in Newcastle as De Jager and Eben Etzebeth lead the charge in pummeling Scotland into submission. It's hard to see how Heyneke Meyer could justify starting with Victor Matfield in the quarter-finals after De Jager's barnstorming display. The Cheetahs lock crossed the gain line with every carry – 13 of them – topped the tackle stats and ruled the lineouts. He brings so much energy, he must start.

Telusa Veainu: Going back to last Tuesday, Veainu was on fire for Tonga against Namibia when he scored two special tries. Had less room to work with against Argentina, but the former New Zealand U20 flyer has caught the eye.

Sergio Parisse: Even though he was playing on one leg, the Italian skipper's presence alone was enough to transform the Azzurri from the rabble that nearly lost to Canada into a side that almost upset the best team in the northern hemisphere. At the post-match press conference he looked gutted to have lost.

Golden Lions: Impressive stuff from Johan Ackermann's side yet again after they thrashed Western Province 62-32 on Friday, staying unbeaten in this year's Currie Cupafter running nine tries past the defending champions.

Isa Nacewa: Out of retirement and getting things done at Leinster. The recent Auckland Blues coach scored two tries on Saturday as Leinster saw off Newport Gwent Dragons in the PRO12 by a score of 37-13.

Broken Thermostat

Ireland: Sunday was Ireland's first real test of the World Cup and Italy made them sweat, in a fractious, physical tussle at the Olympic Stadium that was never truly comfortable for Irish viewers. They're through to the quarter-finals, but with top spot on the line against France they will have to step things up. Joe Schmidt's reliefafterwards said it all.

All Blacks: Unbeaten, the defending world champions are marching to the top of Pool C, as we all expected. But the number of unforced errors they made against Georgia will be a real concern for Steve Hansen and his staff. Dan Carter was way off his best form and his team generally looked disjointed.

Brrrrr… someone get these guys a warm cup of soup!

Stuart Lancaster: England have not won a trophy during the Lancaster era and now have the ignominious record of being the worst team to host a Rugby World Cup. The reasons for their failure are many and varied but the buck stops with the head coach.Will the RFU axe him? Or will he fall on his sword? In a results-based industry, theprospect of him keeping his job seems unlikely.

Stuart Hogg: We do not dive in rugby. Kudos to Nigel Owens for making that crystal clear to the Scottish full-back at home of Newcastle United. "Dive like that again, come back here in two weeks and play, not today."

 Who's this bloke Lood that  people are talking about?
No worries about the All Blacks, they are preparing properly & have no serious injuries. What people haven't said much about is the effectiveness of the defence. They have a very high tackle success rate & defence is one of the keys to winning the RWC. Offence was never a problem.

Babyface Lood......he needs to grow a Josh Strauss beard

 I don't think he can Saffex!

 But who cares, when you're 6ft 9 and built like a Lood

Loods carrie's are strong, no doubt about that, but he did fumble at a lineout and his clumsy movement saw him impede a Du Preez break down the blindside. He is good, but not perfect. He also lacks endurance and is very vulnerable defending in any kind of space. Not a lock conducive to a modern game. 

 Shut up you ignorant prick

 Actually, we have won Trophies during Lancaster's era. But Planet Rugby wouldn't understand that, would they ? 

It's a fact Dave.
30:27 - Lood is lagging behind after Scots clear downfield. Stumbles around and gets in the way of Du Preez.
I can get the time stamp for the lineout fumble and the lineout steal as well. 
It looks like he is slow moving around the field. What if an opponent is pinning us back with the boot? Is he going to lag behind retreating too? How fit is he to cope with that? You do realise that one of the reasons Australia beat England was because the pack was too slow and their attackers got isolated. Something to consider anyway. 
Or we can all believe the Dave narrative: Lood is a Marvel character devoid of weaknesses. The Titanix of Bok rugby; powerful, majestic...

Look here you idiot.....its rugby.....no player has a flawless game......Lood was by far our best player......confirmed with a MOM award and the only Bok to make the team of the weak
Dont fucking insult us with some bullshit about the odd less than perfect moment.....get a fucking grip
Do you know how pathetic you look