The Rugby World Cup’s final four have been determined after an exhilarating quarter-final weekend in France.
Ireland and France, who topped our rankings final week, are out of the event, their goals dashed by New Zealand and South Africa in two excellent matches in Paris.
The southern hemisphere provides three of the semi-finalists, with Argentina outlasting Wales in a brutal encounter in Marseille.
That leaves England, surprisingly, as Europe’s final hope after Steve Borthwick’s facet survived a Fiji fightback to achieve the event’s final fortnight.
How do the four remaining nations stack up in our power rankings? Here, The Independent assesses the semi-finalists.
Rugby World Cup power rankings
1. South Africa
Holders South Africa reached the semi-finals with a superb win over France
(PA Wire)
Top of the pile after pipping the hosts in Paris are the Springboks. In a sport of fantastic margins, their bench influence and calm telling essential in the final few moments. England will probably be charged up for the semi-final given what occurred in Yokohama four years in the past however this model of South Africa is likely to be even higher.
2. New Zealand
The All Blacks tackle Argentina in the final four
(REUTERS)
New Zealand took the different instantaneous traditional in Paris, their 37-phase final defensive stand a outstanding bodily and psychological achievement. All three Barrett brothers had been excellent at the Stade de France, with Sam Cane producing an actual captain’s efficiency, too.
3. England
England beat Fiji to achieve one other World Cup semi-final
(Getty Images)
Credit have to be prolonged to Steve Borthwick and England, who’ve navigated their means right into a World Cup semi-final that, whereas removed from ever being out of attain, seemed distant throughout their August struggles. Will the emotional depth of a World Cup final rematch in opposition to the Springboks allow them to carry their stage?
4. Argentina
Argentina will hope to shock New Zealand and attain a primary World Cup final
(REUTERS)
Argentina celebrated their quarter-final win over Wales wildly, maybe recognising {that a} final four berth makes this event a hit. But the Pumas will probably be in the combine in opposition to the All Blacks, a facet they beat twice throughout the four-year cycle earlier than this event and who maybe have a number of bodily frailties that Argentina’s gainline winners are able to exploiting.