We’re nearing the finish line for this Rugby World Cup but it’s not quite done yet. We still have the small matter of the bronze final between South Africa and Argentina – despite Springboks coach Heyneke Meyer describing the game as “like kissing your sister” – and then the colossal clash between New Zealand and Australia in the World Cup final on Saturday.
Whatever the outcome, this tournament has been fun, action-packed and full of heroes. And with that we don’t just mean the players who make the breaks, score the tries and slam into tackles. We also mean the head coaches who have masterminded some of the World Cup’s greatest performances and managed some of those stars who have burned so brightly.
You have four options here. Michael Cheika, in the span of a year, has turned around the fortunes of the previously floundering Wallabies, and guided them to a World Cup final. Steve Hansen has taken the immense pressure of the leading the All Blacks in his stride and also pushed them to another final.
What about Daniel Hourcade? The passionate Pumas very nearly made it to their first final, playing an exciting brand of rugby. Perhaps you think their head coach is worth your vote. Or, if you feel that the greatest performance was not from a Tier One team, but by one of the unfancied sides, then look no further than Eddie Jones of Japan – what a tournament they had!
Whichever way you vote, we will put the results in the next issue of Rugby World magazine. Keep your eyes peeled.