The 2019 Rugby World Cup recently drew to a close, seeing the South African Springboks taking home the trophy. Here are this year’s best World Cup players who you should keep your eye on in future games!
#10: Liam Williams (Wales)
It has been a great year for the man often known as Sanjay. Williams lost just one game last season, but won the Gallagher Premiership and Champions Cup with Saracens and the Grand Slam with Wales. He is an outstanding team performer at both full-back and in the wing, which was proven by his excellent RWC performance.
#9: Ardie Savea (New Zealand)
The young brother of legendary former All Blacks winger Julian Savea, Ardie has been playing his heart out recently. He has a whopping 96% tackle completion rate in international rugby for 2019, and has scored 12 turnovers and averages nearly 5 meters per carry. Better still, he is capable of protecting all 3 breakaway spots.
#8: Faf de Klerk (South Africa)
Faf is proof that size isn’t everything in the world of rugby. The pint-sized player stands at 5’7, but the scrum-half performs like a champion in games, tirelessly attacking his opposers. When he has the ball he moves like lightning, and when he is in defence he definitely shakes things up and gives his rivals a run for their money!
#7: Billy Vunipola (England)
Billy is an integral part of the English team. Nobody else in the rugby world carries quite like the Australian-born, Welsh-raised player. Vunipola has unfortunately battled with numerous injuries over the past few years, but now that he is back he’s proving to be a driving force behind England’s success.
#6: James Ryan (Ireland)
Hailing from Blackrock, Ryan is a skilled line-out operator and a powerful scrummager who can also hit a ruck with great ferocity and provide steely defence for his side. With that said, his greatest strength is as a runner, as this is when his impressive physical strength and determination really shine through. Just like online casinos with the best selection of Roulette games, Ryan is one that you definitely don’t want to take your eyes off.
#5: Maro Itoje (England)
Itoje headed into the World Cup at the cusp of his power, as he proved during his recent performance at Twickenham against Ireland. He may only be 24, but this player has already achieved plenty in the game, and is a fantastic athlete in the second row who can also pack on the flank.
#4: Beauden Barrett (New Zealand)
Barrett grew up on a Taranaki farm with his 7 brothers and sisters, but nowadays, the Kiwi player has bigger fish to fry. Over the past 4 years, Barrett has stood out from his peers and his competitors by winning the World Rugby Player of the Year award twice! He has faced his challenges, but the New Zealander remains highly influential thanks to his ability to instantly turn a match in his team’s favour.
#3: Alun Wyn Jones (Wales)
This Six Nations player is iconic in the rugby world for scoring 128 caps for Wales and 9 Lions tests over just 3 tours. He seems to improve with age, and is still in top form at 34 years old. His tireless rugby ethic and physical strength are a shining example to his peers, and his RWC performance with Wales is proof.
#2: Pieter-Steph Du Toit (South Africa)
Du Toit has been 2019’s top form player, offering excellent work ethic and serving as the Springboks’ heart and soul. The second-row player’s size and strength work will with his fast pace and dynamism on the field. He is also fantastic in defence, making more tackles than any other pro player in the world in 2018.
#1: Brodie Retallick (New Zealand)
The Rangiora player is just 28, but it’s clear that he was born to play second row, just like other Kiwi stars such as Colin Meads. He is tough, disciplined, works fast and hard, and offers unparalleled footballing skills. His dislocated shoulder mended just in time for the RWC in Japan, allowing him to show off his impressive prowess for the whole world to see.
