The 10 best moments of the Rugby World Cup so far

Today at 4pm, the All Blacks take on the Wallabies in the Rugby World Cup final.

For home nations fans it's been a bitter tournament, with the hosts bowing out in the group stage while Scotland, Ireland and Wales all were knocked out in the quarter-finals.

However, this afternoon promises to bring either a swansong for Richie McCaw, Dan Carter and co., or an underdog story for the ages for the likes of Bernard Foley and David Pocock.

Here's our pick of the top ten moments of the tournament so far:

10) England become the first host nation to bow out in the group stage, ever

For the sheer shock and disappointment factor, this has to feature on the list. Inarguably a key moment of the World Cup, but the less said about it the better.

(Picture: Getty)

9) New Zealand and Savea destroy France

Julian Savea picked up three tries as New Zealand scored a record victory over France for a Rugby World Cup knockout fixture.

And he did this.

8) Jamie Cudmore tries to get in on the huddle

The Canadian does speak a bit of French, but this was too cheeky a ploy to go unchecked.

7) Johnny Redelinghuys steps up to the tee

The Namibian prop was celebrating his 50th cap and forthcoming retirement in the fixture against Argentina.

What better way to do so than to hand him the tee for the last conversion of the game?

Props everywhere: that’s why we don’t let you take the kicks.

6) Nigel Owens sets the behaviour standard

Stuart Hogg decided to engage in a few theatrics and Nigel Owens, whose masterful performances in the tournament have earned him the refereeing honours in the final, didn't think it was behaviour befitting the occasion.

There was nothing wrong with [the tackle]. If you want to dive like that again, come back here in two weeks and play [when the football's on], not today. Watch it.

5) Argentina's backs teaching the world how to play

Argentina's star has been rising for years, but this World Cup signalled a true arrival of a major force.

Their backs have been magnificent, carving teams apart for fun. Just look at some of the tries against Georgia:

Their coaches were in tears when they won their quarter final, and again when they lost their semi to Australia.

Here's hoping Los Pumas only keep getting better.

4) Davies' try against South Africa.

Dan Biggar's kicked soared high and came crashing back down, to set up Gareth Davies in the quarter-final against South Africa.

South Africa would go on to narrowly win 23-19, signalling the beginning of a weekend of Northern hemisphere misery.

3) When Craig Joubert broke almost everyone's hearts

We're still breaking out in fits of blind rage, so we're gonna move on from the main issue with this fixture as quickly as he left the field.

Scotland were magnificent. What a performance from the men in blue.

(Picture: Getty)

While their departure signified the end of home nations involvement in the tournament, their commitment and flair enthralled and won over dejected former rivals.

They made us fall in love with the sport again.

Which made it all the more painful when they were denied a place in the-

Note: The author had to be pulled away from the keyboard at this point and told to take a five. It's a hot issue.

2) Adam Ashley-Cooper climbing the Twickenham stands

The Wallabies winger climbed the stands to be with his childhood friend Guy Grinham, 31, having made special arrangements for him to be at the stadium.

Grinham watched the 15-7 victory over Wales, before Ashley-Cooper joined him after the game.

Grinham died hours later, having fulfilled his dream of watching the Wallabies at a World Cup.

1) South Africa 32-34 Japan

We know the headline said ‘moments’, but we don’t really care.

Whether you watched the whole match or just caught the last ten, blistering minutes, Japan’s controlled and fearless performance overwhelmed South Africa and the watching rugby world.

Just check out Goromaru's try, the first of the nominees for try of the tournament.

Easily the outstanding memory of the tournament.

Let’s just say we’re a little excited for 2019.

Watch the full video, below:

More:Nigel Owens embarrasses player with the best quote of the Rugby World Cup so far

More:This is how much money the country will lose if England are kicked out of the Rugby World Cup