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Player of Pool A: Richard Kahui

Richard Kahui of the All Blacks tries to find a way through the France defense during the IRB 2011 Rugby World Cup Pool A match between New Zealand and France at Eden Park on September 24, 2011 in Auckland, New Zealand.

( September 23, 2011 - Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images AsiaPac)

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 Richard Kahui might not yet have the same profile as All Blacks superstars Richie McCaw, Dan Carter or even relative newcomer Sonny Bill Williams, but the New Zealand wing has more than made his mark during the opening stages of Rugby World Cup 2011
With just 12 Test caps to his name at the start of the tournament, Kahui quickly staked his claim for a regular place in the All Blacks starting XV. 
http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/home/news/newsid=2057069.html#player+pool+a+richard+kahui
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Player of Pool B: Juan Figallo

(L-R) The Argentina front row of Juan Figallo, Mario Ledesma and Rodrigo Roncero prepare to scrummage during the IRB 2011 Rugby World Cup Pool B match between Argentina and Scotland at Wellington Regional Stadium on September 25, 2011 in Wellington, New Zealand.
( September 24, 2011 - Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images AsiaPac)
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Legendary Scotland and Lions coach Sir Ian McGeechan referred to key players as “Test match animals” - those who grow under pressure, rather than go into their shells when the heat is on.
In a tight Pool B, the claims for player of the pool were less about hat-tricks and more about coolness in the close encounters.
The player of pool B was Juan Figallo. The prop came into the World Cup with only four caps but has become the mainstay of a side whose game plan is so dependent on the set piece. A Puma who is truly a Test match animal.
http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/home/news/newsid=2057025.html#player+pool+b+juan+figallo
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Player of Pool C: Ireland's Sean O'Brien

Radike Samo of the Wallabies (L) tackles Sean O'Brien of Ireland during the IRB 2011 Rugby World Cup Pool C match between Australia and Ireland at Eden Park on September 17, 2011 in Auckland, New Zealand.

( September 16, 2011 - Photo by Hannah Johnston/Getty Images AsiaPac)

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The player-of-pool-C award goes to 24-year-old flanker Sean O'Brien, the European player of the year. Despite performing in the unfamiliar openside position, he has been a rampaging ball of destruction in his first Rugby World Cup, whether in attack or defence, and looks set to enhance his reputation as the last eight teams standing do battle in the knockout stage.

http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/home/news/newsid=2057045.html#player+pool+c+irelands+sean+obrien
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Player of Pool D: Sam Warburton

Sam Warburton of Wales breaks with the ball during the IRB Rugby World Cup Pool D match between Wales and Fiji at Waikato Stadium on October 2, 2011 in Hamilton, New Zealand.

( October 1, 2011 - Photo by Hannah Johnston/Getty Images AsiaPac)

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 In a tight field, the standout performer given the demands of his position and the demands of captaining his side at the age of 22 (23 come Wednesday, 5 October ) is Wales flanker Sam Warburton, the youngest captain at RWC 2011.

The openside flanker came into the tournament with big wraps from his coach, New Zealander Warren Gatland, who would have seen some decent No.7s in his time.

“There are three that I’d consider world-class players at the moment in (David) Pocock (Australia), (Richie) McCaw (New Zealand) and (Heinrich) Brüssow (South Africa) and I’d rate the guy next to me (Sam Warburton) in that category," Gatland told a press conference before the opening pool match against South Africa where Warburton was man-of-the-match in a losing side for his impressive work at the breakdown. 
http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/home/news/newsid=2057124.html#player+pool+d+sam+warburton
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