Punters' moments - Warren Gatland

BEST MATCH : England v France. It was an old-fashioned dust-up, a Test match where the primary qualities were as much mental as physical. Even though it was a low-scoring affair, it didn't diminish the enjoyment.

WORST MATCH : I think I'd go for New Zealand's victory over Scotland at the pool stages. It was a travesty that the Scots showed a complete disregard for their supporters and in some respects the competition. I can understand why they did it but it doesn't make it any more palatable.

BEST MOMENT : It has to be Shotaro Onishi's conversion of Japan's last-gasp try that earned a 12-12 draw with Canada. The conversion from a tight angle ended Japan's record 13-game World Cup losing streak. The sheer joy of the players is an image I'll take away.

OUTSTANDING PLAYER : Bryan Habana. He's been absolutely lethal on a modest-enough diet of possession and has that ability to change the course of a game in an instant.

BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT : New Zealand's failure in the quarter-final defeat by France.

Even though they had 70 per cent of the possession and territory they still could not win the match. On the flip side though it was great to see some of the so-called minnows make the knockout stage at the expense of some of the more established nations.

© 2007 The Irish Times

This article appears in the print edition of the Irish Times