As the Uruguayan squad begins to leave for home today, rugbyworldcup.com asked the key members what Tournament memories will accompany them and just who they think will win the prized Cup.
Uruguay will fly home in three groups, the first have left this morning, the second will take off a day later on Tuesday and the last group will depart Thursday.
Today, 12 passengers left, one of them manager Daniel Herrera, who leaves the responsibility in his absence to Pablo Ferrari, a former manager of Los Teros.
Ferrari who is now the Director General of the Sports Ministry of Uruguay reflected on the experience at RWC 2003, the memory of Uruguay being tunnelled off the field at the end of the England match by a respectful opposition and to the applause of a supportive crowd, still fresh in his mind.
“The experience is the most positive thing and that must be conveyed to the clubs in our country,” he said.
Diego Aguirre
The captain of Uruguay has mixed emotions given his side’s 98 point drubbing at the hands of England in their final Pool C match at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium last night.
“We must continue working, there is a great distance we must travel to close the gap (between the big teams and the amateurs)," he stated.
And on his side’s performance throughout the entire tournament.
“We leave with a half a bitter taste in our mouths because we received a thrashing”
Who does the 51 capped centre think will win the RWC – “England,” he said.
Alfonso Cardoso
The man who scored the first try in Uruguay’s victory over Georgia thinks New Zealand will win the RWC.
“It is between black and white (England) but I lean towards the All Blacks.”
What was the best moment of the Tournament?
“The country, the people, the cities, and the support of the crowd in all the matches in the competition but specifically the support to our team in the match against Georgia.”
Diego Lamelas
The hooker who scored the second try against Georgia will leave Australia with that five pointer a source of much delight.
“In that moment (the try) I felt immense happiness and I remembered my family and all who contributed to our national team.”
On the most difficult scrum the went up against in the Tournament.
“ It was England… I think that we were dominant with the other ones.”
And he's backing the Brits.
“I think that England will win the RWC 2003”
The real Gauchos
In general the opinion of the squad is that they have never seen a spectacle like this Tournament, and they were grateful for the support they received.
With their RWC over they have begun to fly back home in little groups mimicking the flight of that typical Uruguayan bird, Los Teros.
And their memories of almost a month in Australia are bittersweet, a mix of happiness and frustration but they will be able to source beautiful recollections of their dedication, their strength, their spirit and their sportsmanship.