Rugby World Cup 2011 gets an artistic image

It is not always the whack and clatter of rugby that the whirr and click of cameras capture.

The rough and tumble action is the primary lens target but the sport can also be the subject of moving and artistic images.

From silhouettes to night shots, from shadows to bright lights, from teams' training sessions to off-field activities, snappers' creative talents know no bounds.

Here is a selection of some of the best pictures of the genre, taken over the past six weeks.

 Early riser: All Black Victor Vito is up before the sun as he takes part in lineout training

Best frond: All Black captain and hero Richie McCaw speaks in front of the team's emblem


Stern test: England players' first challenge - staying on their feet on an America's Cup yacht


Shadow the opposition: England players line up to train at Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland


Through the lens: Quade Cooper talks to the media ahead of Australia's opener against Italy

The dark side: Wales' Toby Faletau is backlit as he talks about their match against South Africa

Blurred vision: Fleetfooted Takudzwa Ngwenya of USA has two Irish players in hot pursuit


All black: Zac Guildford is silhouetted against a sunset after a New Zealand training session


Raindrops keep falling on their heads: It pours for much of the Fiji-Wales match in Hamilton


Under a cloud: Wallabies practise lineout work but they still suffered defeat against Ireland


A leap in the dark: Wales' Luke Charteris gets high into the gloom in Hamilton

Men at arms: A back view as USA form a scrum in the match against Ireland