His World Cup may have finished in controversial circumstances, but there is no doubting the impact Sam Warburton had in New Zealand during the World Cup.
At 22, the Cardiff Blues' openside was the youngest captain in the competition and performed his role admirably until his red card against France for that tackle. Before that dismissal, the young flanker was rivalling Richie McCaw and David Pocock as the premier number seven in the competition.
Warburton was outstanding in his team's narrow opening loss to South Africa, took on the might of the Samoan backrow in Wales' narrow 17-10 win and led from the front in his side's impressive 22-10 victory over Ireland.
Players of the Rugby World Cup:
Sean O'Brien (Ireland)