It's been a big World Cup for everyone at Balls HQ, and a big reason for that has been the success of the whatsapp alerts. It's been a place for mirth, updates, and some strange opinions - but overall we've all had some fun.
We've mourned Ireland's losses together, and collectively dropped our jaws at some of the great play that we saw. We got our whatsapp contacts to select their team of the tournament to complete the World Cup experience.
You can sign up for our rugby whatsapp alerts that will continue during the season.
15. Ayumu Goromaru (Japan)
Japan's hero was loved by the group with just two votes for anyone not named Goromaru. Unlucky Ben Smith and Rob Kearney.
14. Nehe Milner-Skudder (New Zealand)
World Rugby's breakthrough player of the year delighted fans across the world, including 64% of our group. DTH Van Der Merwe just missed out.
13. Conrad Smith (New Zealand)
Conrad Smith claimed the TV3 outside centre of the tournament, and while we would have gone for Scotland's Mark Bennett - we're a democracy here and we bowed to what the people want. Keith Earls did get a vote too.
12. Matt Giteau (Australia)
After a tiebreaker, we've concluded that Matt Giteau should get the spot ahead of Ma'a Nonu. Giteau's playmaking ability was evident throughout the tournament, and he made a huge difference to Australia. Nonu also had a great tournament, improving with each game. Luke Fitzgerald had the solitary other vote.
11. Julian Savea (New Zealand)
The only consensus pick. Enough said.
10. Dan Carter (New Zealand)
Another World Rugby player of the year nominee, and man of the match in the final. That alone should get him in the team, but there were votes for Dan Biggar and his macarena dancing.
9. Aaron Smith (New Zealand)
New Zealand's whippersnapper of a passer comfortably won the vote over Scotland's player of the year nominee Greig Laidlaw.
1. Scott Sio (Australia)
You saw exactly what Sio brings to Australia when he missed the semi-final. The Australian scrum dominated the English and Welsh in a surprising outcome, and when Sio was the reason for that. James Slipper struggled mightily in Sio's absence, and the whatsapp group agreed that this was enough for Sio to get the spot over the in form Jack McGrath.
2. Stephen Moore (Australia)
The Australian captain almost gets in for his graciousness alone. That interview from the Galway raised hooker won over our hearts ahead of Dane Coles, Rory Best, and Agustin Creevy.
3. WP Nel (Scotland)
The South African born tighthead was magnificent. It was a tournament with some standout scrummagers, and a tiebreak wins it for Nel over the French prop Slimani.
4. Alun Wyn Jones (Wales)
How scary is it to think that the World Rugby player of the year nominee is only just turned 30? Jones is taking a similar career arc to Paul O'Connell - getting better with age. Jones wins a threeway tiebreak.
5. Paul O'Connell (Ireland)
O'Connell was getting a lot of love from the whatsapp group, and it's arguable that his presence alone might have changed the outcome. We couldn't not include O'Connell after he finished in the three way tiebreak with Jones and last year's player of the year Brodie Retallick. And yes, it's a total homer call.
6. Mamuka Gorgodze (Georgia)
Gorgodzilla won our hearts with some epic performances that matched the humility he showed when awarded man of the match against New Zealand. Wins the tiebreaker over Wallaby Scott Fardy
7. Richie McCaw (New Zealand)
A potentially surprising inclusion, but his performance in the final alone should get him in. Wins a tiebreaker but there was a lot of flankers nominated. He deserves it for these mindblowing stats alone.
8. David Pocock (Australia)
Are you surprised? I didn't think so. Pocock was the player of the tournament.
