BEST MATCH: France v All Blacks. From the moment the French stood up to the haka in red, white and blue T-shirts there was something special in the Millennium Stadium air.
The All Blacks played some sensational stuff but on a truly gripping night, France ultimately won by playing French rugby.
WORST MATCH: Ireland v Georgia was bad but Argentina v Scotland was worse. Although Scotland hardly attempted to create anything for an hour, the Pumas were too conservative for their own good and, incredibly, nearly lost to the worst of the quarter-finalists.
BEST MOMENT: Frédéric Michalak arriving on the pitch in the 68th minute in Cardiff with his team 18-13 down, reading Damien Traille's blindside half break and offload, sprinting 40 metres with his first touch, swivelling and passing inside to Yannick Jauzion. "Flaky Freddy" maybe, but not many players on the planet could do that.
OUTSTANDING PLAYER: Loads to choose from, but no one had the cockiness and "presence" of Juan Hernández. A kick like a mule, drop-goals off both feet, brilliant tackler, stand-in fullback, sensational under his own or opposition high ball and liable to have a dart anytime, anywhere.
BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT: Ireland, Ireland, Ireland and Ireland. Bad preparation, bad (non-existent?) planning, bad selection/bench/squad strategy, low skills - but no "mea culpa" save from the captain. Don't even want to think about it, really.
