The 2015 JWC’s kicked off this week, and we here at RBP are looking forward to enjoying what these youngsters have to offer. Good showings at the event have springboarded players like Handre Pollard and Adam Ashe into international stars for their nations, and there is no shortage of players who are looking for their opportunities at this season’s event.
Players To Watch:
Tevita Li (New Zealand): Tevita Li demolished everything in his path last season, leading New Zealand to a 3rd place finish. Li has been a regular feature for the Blues in Super Rugby this season, and the destructive winger will play a huge role for New Zealand. A Player of the Year candidate last season, Li grabbed a try for New Zealand in their first match against Scotland, before being subbed off in the 61st minute. Tevita Li is certainly an All Black of the future, and he will a force to be reckoned with this season.
Garry Ringrose (Ireland): Ringrose has been touted as the successor to Brian O’Driscoll by many including the man himself, and the Irish center is a very exciting prospect. Another Player of the Year candidate, Ringrose is electric with ball in hand, and always has a whiff of magic about him when on the field. This Irish team is keen to improve on last seasons 4th place finish, and Ringrose will play a big part in that. His pairing with the big Ulsterman Sam Arnold could create havoc for other sides.
Paul Hill (England): The tighthead prop has been the cornerstone of the English front row since last seasons tournament, and that is not about to change. A standout member of last seasons Championship winning side, Hill’s leadership and strength will be a huge asset to a superbly talented England team. Unsurprisingly England will look to their set-piece to give them the foundation for their gameplan, and with props like Hill in the side that set-piece will be functioning like a well oiled machine.
Akira Ioane (New Zealand): Another young Blues star, Ioane has been having a phenomenal season. Hugely strong, and immensely physical with ball in hand, Ioane will be a danger man for New Zealand when he gets the chance to run with the ball. His brother Reiko is a star of the future as well, given the way the 17 year old tore up the Wellington 7s. Akira is a remarkable athlete, and will cause problems for every side that New Zealand face in this tournament.
Thomas Du Toit (South Africa): Du Toit is a fantastic young loosehead prop, and one of the fastest climbing prospects in South African rugby. Du Toit plays for the Sharks in Super Rugby, and even came off the bench for the Barbarians against Australia in November. Powerful in the scrum and destructive in the loose, Du Toit is one of the most reliable parts of this excellent Baby Boks side. Doubtless eager for a shot at the title once again, Du Toit will be looking to cause havoc for opposition scrums, allowing his halfbacks to unleash South Africa’s outside backs.
Bold Predictions:
England Will Win the Final Again: This is a very bold call, especially with dangerous teams such as South Africa, New Zealand, and even Ireland all gunning for their chance at the title. England were a dominant force in last seasons tournament, and looked that way again with their 59-7 demolition of Japan. They bring back key stars like Nick Tompkins, Paul Hill, and Charlie Ewels, and the experience of these players will give them plenty of composure when playing the tougher sides on their schedule. If England can continue to keep their combinations humming along, and their borderline telepathic team play continues they will almost certainly remain a force to be reckoned with in this tournament.
Ireland Fail to Escape Pool Play: This Irish team is very dangerous, and has the potential to do some damage if given the chance. Jeremy Loughman and Zach McCall are phenomenal in open play, with McCall boasting some real pace. Number 8 Lorcan Dow is a great leader and is immensely powerful with ball in hand, and is the leader of the pack. The center pairing of Sam Arnold and Garry Ringrose is one of thunder and lightning, with Arnold providing quite a bit of power and Ringrose using his acceleration and vision to carve up defenses. That said, Ireland are in a pool with New Zealand, and since only 4 teams make it out of pool play, it will be a massive struggle for the boys in green, especially without their mercurial flyhalf Ross Byrne. As good as they are, this Irish side will face an uphill battle to get out of their pool.
New Zealand to Get Their Revenge En Route to the Final: New Zealand will have been eager to get back to this tournament ever since South Africa ended their run to the final with an incredible win in the Semi-final. Now with a stacked side featuring names like Akira Ioane, and Tevita Li, this side is brimming with muscle and talent. If there is one thing New Zealand would want, its to get a shot at vengeance. Should they draw the Baby Boks again in the Semifinals, we would see a phenomenal clash, and even if they don’t, there is a good chance that they would then meet their South African rivals in the final. This New Zealand side is as ruthless and focused as ever, and if they are given a chance, you can rest assured that they will take it.