Luke Robinson: 2019 Rugby World Cup team of the tournament

OPINION: The 2019 Rugby World Cup produced many incredible moments, tries and big tackles. 

For the early part, it was also known for the number of yellow and red cards, but as the tournament progressed, the players' class shone through and produced some incredible storylines.

Japan reached the knockout stages for the first time, Uruguay beat Fiji and, of course, England beat the All Blacks to reach the final.

Here's my team of the tournament for the 2019 Rugby World Cup. 

1. Steven Kitshoff (South Africa)

The South African prop came off the bench in all-but one of the World Cup games. You may think, because of that, he shouldn't be in this team, but the Springboks' front-row impact off the bench was huge for them to lift the trophy and Kitshoff was monumental.  

2. Jamie George (England)

England dominated at set-piece time, they were a well-oiled machine at lineouts and the man at the forefront of that was George. The throws had to be straight and he made sure they were.

3. Kyle Sinckler (England)

The tighthead prop was a huge part of a dominant forward pack, made plenty of tackles and ran like a man possessed. You have to wonder what would have happened if he didn't go down so early in the final?

4. Maro Itoje (England)

Was a force to be reckoned with at lineout time, winning 26 lineouts during the tournament. On top of that, he made 71 tackles.

Had a monster man-of-the-match performance against the All Blacks in the semi-final. 

5. Alun Wyn Jones (Wales)

The inspirational captain led the tournament in tackles, with 79. He was a go-to, if the Welsh side needed to make metres with ball in hand too. 

6. Tom Curry (England)

The 21-year-old broke and made tackles on his way to the team of the tournament. The youngster showed on the world stage why he was nominated for Player of the Year.

Played every minute of the tournament, set for a big future. 

7. Pieter-Steph du Toit (South Africa)

Had a massive tournament - it was tight between him and Savea, but I'm going with the Springboks flanker, who got the better of Savea in the pool match and the much-hyped Curry in the final.

Du Toit led South Africa in tackles at 61. My pick for Player of the Year. 

8. Kazuki Himeno (Japan)

He made 54 carries for 340 metres - the most by a No.8 - 12 tackle busts and 58 tackles. Was a big cog in the Japanese wheel that rolled into the playoffs.

Just pips Duane Vermeulen. 

9. Faf de Klerk (South Africa)

The beating heart of the South African side, he runs and kicks hard, and was inspirational in the Springboks' run to the final.

Player of the tournament for me. 

10. Handre Pollard (South Africa) 

Pipping George Ford and Yu Tamura, Pollard gets the nod. His flawless kicking game took them through to the semi-final and the way he kicked the ball off the tee in the final two games was a huge reason why the Springboks lifted the trophy. 

11. Semi Radradra (Fiji)

He was by far the most dominant player throughout the group stage - with 546 running metres, 20 tackle busts and four try assists, he would start in any team's backline. In a group that included Wales and Australia, he was the talk of Pool D.

12. Damian de Allende (South Africa)

Two tries, 13 tackle busts and 49 tackles - a beast for the Springboks on attack and defence. 

13. Anton Lienert-Brown (All Blacks)

The 24-year-old was a rock in the midfield for the All Blacks. He made 42 tackles and was the All Blacks' most consistent back throughout the tournament. 

14. Kotaro Matsushima (Japan)

He lit up the crowd whenever he touched the ball and more often than not, he delivered. Five tries, including a hat-trick in the opening game.

His speed and elusiveness was a handful for every defender who came up against him. 

15. Beauden Barrett (New Zealand)

In his new role as fullback, he led the tournament in runs (86) and metres (580), and was second in clean breaks. Was a rock at the back too. 

Luke Robinson is a Newshub online sports producer.