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The outstanding players of the tournament so far

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Carter, Habana and McCaw are just some of the names that have made an impact on what has been a great tournament so far, says Geoffrey Riddle

Tim Horan was voted player of the tournament in the 1999 World Cup and with that accolade he also took home a year's supply of Guinness for scoring the fastest try. Now, how many pints that comes to no-one knows. I'd hazard a guess that Horan was no match for the likes of Baggy Green's batsman David Boon in the drinking stakes, but the story illustrates how the player of the tournament is picked.

It is a moment of magic from one of the World Cup's more high-profile players, and there is none who the media focus on more than New Zealand's Dan Carter.
Carter trails South Africa's Percy Montgomery in the top points-scorer stakes by 20. Carter currently trades at 2.26 to score the most points, but as he has a better appetite for the tryline than the coiffured full-back, the Cantabrian has the better prospects of being named the man of the tournament.

The fact that New Zealand are as short as 1.68 to win the competition can work in Carter's favour, but is might also work against him.

His skipper Richie McCaw is admired the world over and his ability to snaffle possession having just committed to the tackle is one of the cogs in Graham Henry's well-oiled machine. Without McCaw, the All Blacks cannot rely so heavily on taking advantage of turnover ball. McCaw also scored tries and one of his bundling touchdowns could turn a game in the knockout stages.
Doug Howlett has certainly put down a marker to be included in Henry's run-on side after his five tries in the tournament so far. To be the top tryscorer at the Rugby World Cup, it has been necessary to score at least six, although Jonah Lomu famously scored eight at the 1999 tournament. Howlett looks in great nick at the moment as his current quote of 4.2 to be top tryscorer testifies.

You can pick from any of the remainder of the Kiwi squad from Joe Rokococko to behemoth prop Carl Hayman, whose facial hair must be in the running with Sebastian Chabal for the best beard.

The media glare also reflects kindly off Springbok winger Bryan Habana. His electric pace and his raw tryscoring ability are in stark contrast to the power game that Lomu brought to the 1995 World Cup in South Africa, but he is no less dangerous as his career record of 26 from 31 Test appearances illustrates.

Habana has been matched at 18 to dot down the most tries in the tournament, but thanks to his four five-pointers in three matches, he is now down to 6.6.
Matt '4million-dollar-man' Giteau has all the attributes of the man of the tournament. He scores tries (three so far) and he often kicks at goal for his side. What's more, he is a sublime talent and looks comfortable in most positions in the three-quarter line. He could easily turn a game around, and with Australia quietly coming to the boil - and with an easy passage in to the semis - he could easily be gifted the accolade.

If it was possible to bet on this market, one from Leftfield against the favourite would be Agustin Pichot. Quite simply there isn't a more inspirational leader than Pichot, and the Argentinean captain clearly gives his all in every game. What's more, Argentina are looking pretty dangerous in the tournament so far and with the demise of Ireland looking likely, the Pumas could easily find the draw opening up for them.