It was a shame that Salesi Rayasi endured such mixed form in 2023, being kept out of the Hurricanes’ side due to injury for much of the year. While he hasn’t yet excelled at an international level, with only seven All Black caps, he is one of Super Rugby’s strongest attacking weapons. Along with Fraser McReight and Jordan Petaia, Tate McDermott is set for a critical season at the Reds. Rassie Erasmus has transformed this Springbok side into one of the greatest teams of all time, and they don’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon.
Finn Russell (Scotland)
Pieter-Steph du Toit was central to South Africa’s 2019 and 2023 Rugby World Cup campaigns. His consistency for club (Toyota Verblitz) and country is second to none, and he raised his game once again for the 2023 final – where he was named Player of the Match. Away from the Rugby World Cup, he was named World Rugby’s Player of the Year in 2019 and won the Rugby Championship the same year. FloRugby broadcasts dozens of international rugby matches throughout the year, including the summer rugby internationals from July to September. With the eyes of the sport turning from the recently ended United Rugby Championship, Top 14 and Super Rugby seasons, it’s time to look at who the best players in the world are in 2024. Bristol and a number of other clubs remain in the market for a fly-half.
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Kevin Paredes then added a pair of insurance goals as the U.S. secured a second straight lopsided victory. The USMNT snapped a two-decade-plus drought by reaching the knockout rounds of the 2024 Olympics. The Americans used a 3-0 victory over Guinea to advance to the knockout stage for the first time since the 2000 Sydney Games, where they finished fourth. Lee earned the fourth medal of her career, while Carey and Chiles each made the podium for a second time. Like Ford, Smith is a sharpshooting kicker, both with his tactical and goal kicking, and like Ford, he is a great passer of the ball. His wonderful performance against Argentina at the World Cup will go down in English Rugby history as one of the best individual performances in a white shirt.
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Showed that last week’s tricks weren’t just a consequence the hopeless situation. An already established member of the All Blacks’ starting 23, Anton Lienert-Brown will be hoping to kick-start a stronger season in Waikato. Walking into their starting side with the likes of Lalomilo Lalomilo and Alex Nankivell departing the team, 2023 felt like like Lienert-Brown was still finding his feet again after an injury-ridden 2022 season.
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In this new reality, Andy Farrell, Warren Gatland and Steve Borthwick have the unenviable, yet exciting, opportunity to set the foundations of their respective squads as they build toward Australia 2027. The 2024 Six Nations brings with it more change than just about any of the previous ten editions of rugby’s oldest international tournament. If the team is not doing well, the individuals will not be doing https://becric.co.in/ well either. For me, the award is a bonus on a day when our goal was to win the Rugby Championship,” he said. Du Toit, who delivered another Man of the Match performance in the victory over Argentina, stressed the importance of teamwork. Rassie Erasmus and Pieter-Steph du Toit said the Springboks, fresh off their Rugby Championship title win, have set their sights on an unbeaten end-of-year tour to the UK.
- The winger is so often Ireland’s trump card when one is required, and his seven line breaks are the most in the Championship this year.
- So, as the rugby world awaits the imminent squad announcements, here are three fly-half options for each nation who should get the first crack at the whip in 2024.
- The biggest obstacle he is facing is a lack of consistent game time in the 10 shirt for Leinster, which has both Byrne brothers (Harry and Ross), as well as the next man on this list, Sam Prendergast.
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- This will be a year of significant growth for the talented loose forward, with spots now wide open and a chance to impress his former coach, Scott Robertson.
- The USMNT snapped a two-decade-plus drought by reaching the knockout rounds of the 2024 Olympics.
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We continue our countdown of the the 50 best players set to have a significant impact this year, based on previous form, talent and the potential impact they can have on their team’s season. Scott Robertson won’t be disheartened, though, as there were many positives. However, his Achilles’ heel was the bench’s inability to close out games as well as they started. The wing is truly prolific personified and a dangerous threat whether he crosses for a try or sets one up.
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Eight players started in all five matches with two – Maro Itoje and Ben Earl – playing in all 400 minutes. Nineteen had featured at Rugby World Cup 2023, seven were previously capped players who were recalled after being overlooked for that campaign in France, while there were five new caps. Following his recent move to Lyon, Monty Ioane is also one of this year’s Six Nations players to watch. The same goes for Lorenzo Cannone, another up-and-coming player whose powerful tackles have cemented his place in the Italian squad. In contrast with the other Six Nations teams, Ireland’s squad contains more experienced players and fewer new talents.
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“She has had a few knockbacks in her career and picked up some big injuries, but she has taken that all in her stride and has really grown.” “To reach 50 caps by the age of 25 and the way she is playing at the moment, I take my hat off to her [Hannah],” Red Roses captain Marlie Packer said. “You saw last week that Holly [Aitchison] moved to 12, Scaz [Emily Scarratt] can also play 12.
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- Ringrose achieved new heights at the 2023 Six Nations, scoring Ireland’s winning try against France.
- Morocco finished atop its group after beating Argentina and Iraq, while losing to Ukraine.
- Owen Farrell’s absence presents an “important moment to one of the brightest talents in English rugby”, said Rugby Pass.
- His relentless tackling and ability to secure turnovers make him a vital component of Ireland’s defensive efforts and breakdown strategies.
- The best players can earn lofty wages in the most popular rugby leagues worldwide.
- Could have benefited from more punch through the rush, but didn’t need a midfield thanks to his sniper-accurate cross-kicks.
In the USA, FloRugby will broadcast some of the best international rugby fixtures of 2024. “There are no better matches than the Red Roses against the Black Ferns and they will be wanting to put a few things right.” “It is great that we have the opportunity to play the world champions again within a few weeks. England won 2023’s inaugural WXV title with victory over New Zealand, as well as their most recent meeting with the Black Ferns, at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium last month.
Damian Penaud, wing, France
He made his international debut at the 2022 tournament, where he scored a brace against Scotland. In the next game, he set up Edoardo Padovani’s winning try against Wales. Nicknamed the ‘Italian wonder kid’, Ange Capuozzo will compete at his third Six Nations in 2024.
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Emmanuel Meafou will be looking to make a statement at the 2024 Six Nations. Standing at 6 foot 8 and weighing 145 kg, this commanding lock is a firm favourite amongst Toulouse fans. At just 20 years old, Cunningham-South is already forging a fierce reputation. As well as regularly appearing for Harlequins in 2023, he crossed the line during England’s win against Scotland at the U20 Six Nations. He followed this by scoring a try during England’s semi-final against France at the World Rugby U20 Championship.
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- Sexton was banned for abusing/disrespecting Peyper in what was the identical version of this for the Chamions League competition.
- Sharing the record with Telea with 12 tries last season, Codie Taylor is a formidable veteran at the head of a dangerous Crusaders pack.
- “We were happy with parts of our game but know there’s room for improvement in other areas and South Africa will present a big challenge on home turf.”
- With Scott Barrett also captaining the Crusaders, Jordie will also be desperate to get his hands on a Super Rugby title.
- South Africa is always great and the vast majority of their fans are brilliant.
- He followed this by scoring a try during England’s semi-final against France at the World Rugby U20 Championship.
- A powerhouse winger, van der Merwe’s size and speed make him a lethal attacking threat.
Sexton was banned for abusing/disrespecting Peyper in what was the identical version of this for the Chamions League competition. He was as fast as Christian Cullen, had a pass on him as good as Quade Cooper’s and a Roger Gould boot. His telling off of Sacha was very much the right thing but hopefully not too late.
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As a goal-kicker, there are few more reliable than the versatile playmaker who will not only create tries. Aki possesses the rare skill of being able to generate tremendous power from a standing start, even against a defence as robust as South Africa’s. They will have to do so without the “talismanic figure” of Johnny Sexton, who has retired. Jack Crowley looks likely to take over as the new playmaker at No. 10 and experienced Munster flanker Peter O’Mahony is the new captain, reported Sky News. And with the key games against France and England being away from Dublin, back-to-back Grand Slams would be a “real achievement”, said the paper.
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8 – Aaron Wanwright – 7Wales’ best player last week continued his form here. Rangy runs, athletic grabs under high balls, he also offered a target at the line-out. 2 – Elliot Dee – 6On a long list, it was the line-out that was most abject in Wales’ game last week. Dee’s accuracy here meant England wouldn’t get handed free balls at the set-piece. It was a brave call to go to the back of the line within striking distance, but it worked and Wales won a penalty try from the subsequent maul.
She then made the subsequent conversion to stun medal-favorite Australia and give the United States its first-ever rugby medal. The final handful of medal triumphs that pushed the U.S. to the Olympic milestone came across gymnastics, rugby and swimming, with Simone Biles, Bobby Finke and Ilona Maher among the Team USA stars making the podium. Far and away the most experienced option on this list, the 91 times capped George Ford likely would have been in a shootout with Farrell for the 10 shirt, had the England captain not stepped down. The biggest obstacle he is facing is a lack of consistent game time in the 10 shirt for Leinster, which has both Byrne brothers (Harry and Ross), as well as the next man on this list, Sam Prendergast. Jack Crowley took full control of the backup position at the 2023 Rugby World Cup; the uber-talented Munster star already has shown all of the hallmarks required of a top-quality international.
Russell is “a fly-half known for his attacking instincts”, said Rugby World. He can produce a host of “kicks, flicks and tricks to create try-scoring opportunities for himself and his team-mates”. And being named co-captain with Rory Darge signals an end to his previously stormy relationship with head coach Gregor Townsend. Every year, the Six Nations showcases some of rugby union’s greatest players. As a result, several of the sport’s finest have cemented their reputation at the tournament.
Despite representing England at age group level, Arron Reed will make his debut for Scotland at the upcoming Six Nations. The Sale Sharks winger had reportedly garnered the interest of Steve Borthwick before being snapped up by Gregor Townsend. Additionally, with Antoine Dupont absent, Grégory Alldritt will steer the 2024 Six Nations squad. Widely regarded as one of the finest number eights in the modern game, fans will be eager to see how Dupont’s replacement performs.