Similar to its footballing equivalent, representing your country at the Rugby World Cup is a pinnacle for every professional rugby player. The World Cup, also recognized as the Webb Ellis Cup, gives the stage for players to impress on the international stage and be remembered as a part of history, as the likes of Jonah Lomu and Jonny Wilkinson did in 1995 a 2003 respectively. But who will be making an impact during this year’s tournament? Here is my prediction
1. Soane Tonga’uiha – Tonga & Northampton Saints
The 6’3, 290lbs prop, ironically nicknamed ‘Tiny’, has had a major impact on the Aviva Premiership and Heineken Cup over the last season, as the Saints finished as runners up in Europe’s prime competition. Well known for his large size and fierce runs, he could prove a handful for opposing defences, which include France, Japan and the mighty All Blacks. Recently turned down a move to the Saracens, in order to sign a new three year deal with the Saints, he was also part of the 2007 World Cup squad which pushed eventual finalists England and South Africa to hard-fought victories during the pool stages.
2. Marius Tincu – Romania & Perpignan
Leader of the Romanian team, who traditionally has a strong a physical pack, has also been a star for French side Perpignan over the last season. He has scored an impressive 14 tries over 36 caps, since making his debut in 2002. During the last World Cup campaign, Tincu played in all four of Romania’s pool stages games, and managed a try in the games against Italy, Portugal and the All Blacks. He will hope to inspire the Romanians to cause an upset during the pool stages, and will surely target a shock win over the Scots in their opening fixture. Romania have managed to win one game in each campaign since 1987.
3. Ben Alexander – Australia & Brumbies
On the back of a successful Tri Nations campaign, the 26 year-old Brumbies prop will hope to maintain his excellent form in the World Cup, as the Aussies would love to snatch the Webb Ellis Trophy at their rival’s back garden. With surprising attacking attributes, as Alexander became Brumbies top try scorer during the 2010 campaign with 7 tries in 13 appearances, he could offer an extra dimension to the Wallabies’ play.
Other potential front-row stars: Wiliam Servat (France & Toulouse)
Owen Franks (New Zealand & Crusaders)
Dylan Hartley (England & Northampton Saints)
Cian Healy (Ireland & Leinster)
Martin Castrogiovanni (Italy & Leicester Tigers)
Bismarck du Plessis (South Africa & Sharks)
4. Victor Matfield – South Africa & Blue Bulls
32 year old Matfield has been an invaluable asset to the Springboks’ game since his debut against Italy in 2001. Going into the tournament with a World Cup medal already around his neck, following the 2007 success, as well as an array of provincial success, such as 3 Super Rugby league titles, Matfield will hope to repeat the successes of his career so far by retaining the Webb Ellis Cup. He has already admitted that he is flirting with international retirement following this year’s tournament, to pursuit a career in Australia, and will look to use his famous line-out jumping, of which he is considered the best in the world at doing, to disrupt any opposition set-pieces. Wales’ selection of 6’9 lock forward Luke Charteris for the opening game is proof of Matfield’s aerial threat.
5. Bradley Davies – Wales & Cardiff Blues
Despite being dropped to the bench ahead of the opening match against the Springboks, there is no doubt that Davies could still emerge as a star during this year’s campaign. The former Beddau youth player was the Wales U20’s captain in 2005 as the team clinched a Six Nations Grand Slam. He has already proven himself to be capable to perform under pressure, after an excellent display against France in the 2010 Six Nations campaign, which was played mere days following the death of his mother.
Other potential second row stars: James Horwill (Australia & Queensland Reds)
Richie Gray (Scotland & Glasgow Warriors)
Julien Pierre (France & Clermont Auvergne)
Ali Williams (New Zealand & Auckland Blues)
6. Sean O’Brien – Ireland & Leinster
Having emerged as an exciting prospect, it’s no surprise that the Leinster flanker has already attracted strong interest from money-driven French sides. His attacking, defensive and rucking abilities have been highlighted. He has already received attention from the most respectable pundits in world rugby, and was even named Guinness’ Rugby Writer’s Irish Player of the Year for the season 2010-2011 and the ERC European Player of the Year.
7. Sam Warburton – Wales & Cardiff Blues
Replacing the messiah of modern Welsh rugby, that is Martyn Williams, is no easy task, especially for a 22 year old. Warburton became the second youngest Welsh captain when he led the team, in the absence of Matthew Rees, against the Barbarians in June. Having already won 18 caps for the national side since his first appearance against the United States back in 2009, ‘Warby’ has emerged as a master of the tackle-area, and is tipped to follow All Blacks legend Richie McCaw as one of the best flankers of the modern era.
8. Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe – Argentina & Toulon
Juan Lobbe, who will serve the Pumas as vice-captain during the World Cup, will hope to repeat the shock success of Argentina during the 2007 World Cup, of which he was an integral squad member, this time around. Having already defeated England in 2006 and 2009, of which he was the captain during the latter of the games, he will face the English again, in more important circumstances. His brother Ignacio will not be in the squad during this campaign, but there is no doubt that Juan, will be a key figure should the Argentines provide yet another World Cup shock.
Other potential back row stars: Toby Faletau – Wales & Newport-Gwent Dragons
Jerome Kaino – New Zealand & Auckland Blues
James Haskell – England & Ricoh Black Rams
David Pocock – Australia & Western Force
Sergio Parisse – Italy & Stade Francais
Richie McCaw – New Zealand & Crusaders
9. Will Genia – Australia & Queensland Reds
Although Genia is only 23 years old, he has a very mature game for his age. The Australian Super Rugby Player of the Year, following more than impressive performances for eventual league winners Queensland Reds, has been compared to Australian hero George Gregan, and has already been trusted with the Reds’ captaincy, and Eddie Jones, Wallabies coach, believes he should take the role of national team captain as well. His 60-meter dash to score an important try during the Super Rugby final against Crusaders highlights his attacking and exciting abilities.
Other potential scrum-half stars: Morgan Parra – France & Clermont Auvergne
Ben Youngs – England & Leicester Tigers
Eoin Reddann – Ireland & Leinster
Fourie du Preez – South Africa & Suntory Sungoliath
Tavis Knoyle – Wales & Scarlets
10. Quade Cooper – Australia & Queensland Reds
Genia’s half-back partner for club and country may be the man to challenge Dan Carter as the world’s leading outside half. New Zealand-born Cooper has made huge strides in his development over recent years. Gone are the days of Youtube compilations of Cooper howlers, as they are replaced by videos of his lightning quick footwork and silky passing, as he has advanced the Reds and the Wallabies into an exciting era of fresh talent. The Super 14 Player of the Year leaves the goal-kicking duties to winger James O’Connor, but he contributes plenty of points to the men in gold through his playmaking skills.
Other potential outside-half stars: James Hook – Wales & USA Perpignan
Rhys Priestland – Wales & Scarlets
Morne Steyn – South Africa & Blue Bulls
Dan Carter – New Zealand & Crusaders
Jonathan Sexton – Ireland & Leinster
12. Sonny Bill Williams – New Zealand & Unattached
Facing an All Black centre and a professional boxer would be an opposition nightmare, whether it was on the rugby field or in the boxing ring. No, Sonny Bill, or SBW, is no ordinary professional rugby player. After building a reputation on the Rugby League stage, SBW decided to switch codes in order to join up with multi-bucks French side, Toulon. His most important assets are his physical strength and his extraordinary offloading abilities, which, when combined together, makes him one of the most effective playmaker on the international stage.
13. Manu Tuilagi – England & Leicester Tigers
Manu is the latest in line of the legendary Tuilagi rugby family. Despite other family members, such as brothers Alesana and Henry, playing for the Samoan national team, Manu has decided to play for England, making him the first Samoan-born player to represent the England national side. He made a huge impact on his international debut, in a World Cup warm up game against Wales at Twickenham, by scoring an impressive try to seal a victory over their fierce rivals. The 17st centre has certainly seemed at home playing for Leicester Tigers and for England, but his main disadvantage seems to be his indiscipline, after he was banned for 5 weeks, following a punch on fellow England international Chris Ashton while on club duties.
Other potential centre stars: Ma’a Nonu – New Zealand & Ricoh Black Rams
Joe Ansboro – Scotland & London Irish
Adam Ashley-Cooper – Australia & New South Wales Waratahs
Brian O’Driscoll – Ireland & Leinster
Jamie Roberts – Wales & Cardiff Blues
Seilala Mapusua – Samoa & Kubota Spears
11. Vereniki Goneva – Fiji & Tarbes
I know what most of you are thinking, “Who?” Yes this is what I thought when I first heard about this player. How can he be more of a threat than the likes of Hosea Gear, Tommy Bowe and Chris Ashton? Well, Goneva was controversially left out of Fiji’s 2007 World Cup squad, and is determined to prove those selectors wrong this time around. With an impressive record of 80 points in 20 appearances for the national side, including a brilliant individual try against the mighty All Blacks, he may well prove to be this World Cup’s surprise package.
14. George North – Wales & Scarlets
Standing at 6’4 and weighing in at 17st, George North is no ordinary winger. In fact, he would look more likely to be a second row than a winger! Already being compared to rugby great, Jonah Lomu, North has seemingly emerged from zero to hero over the last year, and is proving to be one of rugby’s highly rated ‘wonder kids’. Although he was born in Kings Lynn, England, there was no doubt that he always wanted to represent the men in red, after developing his rugby career through Scarlets’ famous academy, which has also produced the likes of Jonathan Davies, Rhys Priestland, Ben Morgan and Josh Turnbull. After scoring twice on his debut against reigning world champions, South Africa, George North has continued to be on the scoring board regularly over the past year, despite injury having limited his apperances. North will be someone to look out for, especially as he offers a new dimension of play for wingers.
Other potential wing stars: Maxime Medard – France & Toulouse
Isaia Toeava – New Zealand & Auckland Blues
Chris Ashton – England & Northampton Saints
James O’Connor – Australia & Melbourne Rebels
Tommy Bowe – Ireland & Ospreys
Takudzwa Ngwenya – USA & Biarritz
15. Kurtley Beale – Australia & Melbourne Rebels
Beale is arguably one of the most dangerous attacking threats in the world. After scoring 7 tries in 12 caps for the Wallabies during 2010, including a brace against England, his surging runs from the full-back position meant that opposing defences were shacking in their boots whenever he received the ball – and would try to avoid any of their kicks from landing in his hands. During this year’s Tri Nations, he heroically jumped to his feet after being treated for injury to complete a try saving tackle against the Springboks, proving that he has high commitment as well as natural ability.
Other potential full-back stars: Francois Steyn – South Africa & Racing Metro
Mils Muliaina – New Zealand & NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes
Ben Foden – England & Northampton Saints
Chris Paterson – Scotland & Edinburgh
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