Rugby World Cup
The best tries of Rugby World Cup 2015
ESPN Staff
October 31, 2015
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There have been some spectacular tries during Rugby World Cup 2015 -- so we put our reporters to the test to come up with the best that they witnessed during the tournament.

Disagree with their choices? Leave your own nomination in the comments section, and follow @ESPNScrum on Twitter to vote for your favourite -- your winner will be announced this weekend.

Karne Hesketh for Japan vs. South Africa, Sep 19, Brighton

Karne Hesketh scores the match-winning try for Japan against South Africa
Karne Hesketh scores the match-winning try for Japan against South Africa© Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images

Nominated by Rob Bartlett

Japan captain Michael Leich's decision to kick into touch instead of taking the draw surprised the Springboks in one of the greatest moments of sporting history. It took an age for the Brave Blossoms to sweep across the pitch and back again, before Amanaki Mafi brushed off Jesse Kriel and offloaded for Hesketh to dive into the corner and send shockwaves through the rugby world. Brighton erupted and there were tears flowing both on and off the pitch.

Chris Wyles for USA vs. Samoa, Sep 20, Brighton

© Steve Bardens/World Rugby via Getty Images

Nominated by Dan Leo

The United States turned a defensive lineout just outside their own 22 into one of the breakaway tries of the tournament. Quick hands across the back of the lineout allowed AJ MacGinty to make a line break that created a 4-on-1 just inside the Samoan half. A pass right to Seamus Kelly was then shipped back inside to Chris Wyles, who finished off a breathless team try.

DTH van der Merwe's first try for Canada vs. Italy, Sep 26, Leeds

© Jan Kruger/Getty Images

Nominated by Tom May

Much has been made of the improvements in Tier Two rugby during this World Cup, but DTH van der Merwe's length-of-the-field effort against Italy was pure Tier One quality. Catching the ball inside his own 22, the Canadian flyer slalomed through Italian tacklers before sending it inside to Ciaran Hearn. Van der Merwe looped round to the right, received a return pass, and practically flew over the Italian tryline to grab the headlines.

Vereniki Goneva for Fiji vs. Wales, Oct 1, Cardiff

© Michael Steele/Getty Images

Nominated by Sam Bruce

It was just so classically Fijian. Winger Asaeli Tikoirotuma cut through the Welsh defence from deep inside his own 22, roamed down field and found Tomici Nagusa with a basketball-style pass over the top. The right winger then flicked back on his inside for Vereniki Goneva to slide over between two defenders.

Soane Tonga'uiha for Tonga vs. Argentina, Oct 4, Leicester

© Paul Ellis/AFP/Getty Images

Nominated by Martyn Thomas

Tonga may not have made the last eight but after an early defeat to Georgia, they gave it a good go. Against Argentina they attacked from the off and got their reward just before the break in emphatic style. In front of the watching Diego Maradona, Siale Piutau and Telusa Veainu combined down the right flank before an impudent offload from the former as he was being bundled into touch sent prop Soane Tonga'uiha crashing over. Cue wild celebrations from the Tongan replacements.

Bernard Foley's second try for Australia vs. England, Oct 4, Twickenham

Bernard Foley of Australia goes over to score their second try against England
Bernard Foley of Australia goes over to score their second try against England© Paul Gilham/Getty Images

Nominated by Greg Growden

A line break following an Australian lineout win, saw Bernard Foley and Kurtley Beale involved in a smart, well executed move that involved quick passes between the pair before Foley was away. It was simple, clever, effectively gutting England.

Julian Savea's second try for New Zealand vs. France, Oct 17, Cardiff

Julian Savea
Julian Savea© Stu Forster/Getty Images

Nominated by Tom Hamilton

Everything about this try was dripping in All Blacks-ness. From the perfectly judged kick into the Cardiff sky from Dan Carter, to the fantastic take from Ben Smith, the quick recycling from Aaron Smith and his arrowed pass to Brodie Retallick. Forwards can pass like backs in New Zealand and his pinpoint shift to Julian Savea allowed him the space and time to vaporise three French defenders en route to the try line. It was wonderful, brutal brilliance.

Greig Laidlaw for Scotland vs. Samoa, Oct 10, Newcastle

© Ian MacNicol/Getty Images

Nominated by Tristan Barclay

It was supposed to be the regulation victory that would send Scotland into the quarterfinals, but Samoa made Greig Laidlaw's side sweat for it at St James' Park. The Dark Blues were just three nervous points in front when Laidlaw burrowed over from the base of the scrum with five minutes remaining. It was move of his own making, after the captain called for a scrum rather than taking the three points. The Pacific Islanders would hit back with a try of their own at the death, but Scotland held on to progress to the last eight.

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