Superstars EVERYWHERE in our combined New Zealand and Argentina XV

Dylan Coetzee
Split with Argentina's Emiliano Boffelli and All Black Ardie Savea.

Split with Argentina's Emiliano Boffelli and All Black Ardie Savea.

The Rugby World Cup is heating up as only four teams remain in the hunt for glory in France, with the semi-finals this weekend expected to produce more dramatic action.

The first of the two last-four clashes sees two southern hemisphere rivals collide as the All Blacks and Los Pumas face up. With a brilliant game on the way, we picked a combined XV for this one.

Lethal backline

15 Beauden Barrett (New Zealand): The veteran superstar has well and truly risen above his critics after an outstanding display against Ireland. We have long known how brilliant his skill-set is and the way he reads the game from the backfield edges out Juan Cruz Mallia, who is turning into a fine full-back in his own right.

14 Will Jordan (New Zealand): Prolific, prolific, prolific. The All Blacks winger has 28 tries from 29 in what is an incredible strike rate. His spatial awareness, support play, sheer turn of pace and natural ability to beat defenders make him one of the most lethal players in the game. He is a threat from anywhere on the pitch.

13 Rieko Ioane (New Zealand): Rapid and athletic, two great qualities for an All Black who has grown tremendously in the 13 shirt, although some might feel he is better on the wing. Still, he has the ability to bust a game wide open and be a real difference.

12 Jordie Barrett (New Zealand): Whilst Argentine Santiago Chocobares has shown his ability to bash up defensive lines, it is the all-round skill-set of the youngest Barrett brother that gets the nod. He can carry up the middle and offload, or unleash his cannon of a boot whether it’s out of hand or at goal. Having a ball playing 12 like him makes Richie Mo’unga’s life significantly easier. A very complete player.

11 Emiliano Boffelli (Argentina): He typically plays on the right but we shifted him because he had to be included despite Mark Telea’s obvious quality. The Argentine is a passionate player who is mostly known for his goal-kicking, however, he offers so much more in the way of aerial prowess and attacking ability. He is one of the most important players in blue and white this weekend.

10 Richie Mo’unga (New Zealand): Any question marks over whether he should be the starting 10 for the All Blacks evaporated into thin air after his masterclass against Ireland. Santiago Carreras is a brilliant and promising 10 but the ability Mo’unga has to take the game by the scruff of the neck and put his team in positions to win big games is unmatched.

9 Aaron Smith (New Zealand): Could well be the best passer of the ball we have seen and a legend of the game. Smith makes very few errors and almost always adds more than he subtracts. This World Cup is his last dance and he’s certainly up for it. Expect a passionate showing from the All Blacks kaitataki (haka leader).

Brutal pack

8 Ardie Savea (New Zealand): WORLD-CLASS. The great All Black was unstoppable against Ireland on both sides of the ball to the point where Facundo Isa, who had a great game in his own right against Wales, did not come remotely close to Savea’s position in the combined side. The New Zealander will go down as one of the best to don the black jersey.

7 Sam Cane (New Zealand): Another player who has had to prove his doubters wrong over the last couple of years, as he did with a colossal defensive effort against Ireland, making more than 20 tackles. He leads by example and players respond well to him in the side, making him a valuable asset.

6 Marcos Kremer (Argentina): A physical beast on both sides of the ball whether he is punching a hole in a defensive line with a big carry or stepping up to stop an attacker. Usually has focused aggression nailed on which can be a powerful tool in the game, earning him the selection over Shannon Frizell, who is searching for that form he showed earlier in the year.

5 Scott Barrett (New Zealand): Continues to grow into a big leader within the team which is helped by his consistent work-rate performance output week in and week out. Whether it’s six or five on his back, the middle Barrett has become a superstar of our game.

4 Sam Whitelock (New Zealand): Been there, done that and got the t-shirt (several times). The most capped All Black in history showed his worth with a late steal against Ireland to round out the game. Whitelock’s influence at the line-out is his biggest asset and the All Blacks will definitely be using that set-piece as a platform to launch attacks from on Friday.

3 Tyrel Lomax (New Zealand): A mammoth scrummaging effort last time out for a player who has not played as many minutes as he would have liked but is in the thick of the action for the pointy part of the tournament. The kind of play that seems to grow with every minute at this level.

2 Julian Montoya (Argentina): If passion was a rugby player. The Los Pumas skipper has been an inspirational player for his country over an extended period, during which he cemented himself as one of the best hookers around. Through his expert leadership, breakdown prowess and pinpoint line-out throwing the captain will play a massive role on Friday.

1 Ethan de Groot (New Zealand): Thomas Gallo had a look in for this one but the All Black takes the spot by virtue of his impressive scrummaging ability. De Groot is also pretty effective in the carry which is aided by his good mobility for a big man. He will know a big effort in the front-row can go a long way in determining who makes the final.

READ MORE: Mark Telea returns after protocol breach as All Blacks change two for Rugby World Cup semi-final

Argentina