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Alex Shaw’s 30 Players of the year returns for 2019 and what a year it has been.
Not only have we been treated to exciting domestic and continental competitions over the past 12 months, we also had a riveting Rugby World Cup to enjoy, with Japan once again capturing our hearts and reminding us all that successful rugby teams can come in all sorts of guises.
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Having lifted the Webb Ellis Cup, South Africa’s players understandably feature heavily in these rankings, as do beaten finalists England. A down year for New Zealand does show up, perhaps not so much in quantity of player involved, but certainly in their position among the top 30.
Plenty of other nations feature strongly and you can see who did and who didn’t make the cut below.
- Manu Tuilagi, England and Leicester Tigers
There have been flashes this past year of Tuilagi being back to his best. Leicester’s form hasn’t helped him, nor, arguably, has his movement between 12 and 13 for England, but despite that, he has begun to give defenders and defence coaches nightmares once again. A fully fit and in-form Tuilagi could push for involvement in the top 10 of these rankings next year.
Continue reading below…
Watch: Manu Tuilagi talks about the Lions’ chances in South Africa in 2021
- Pablo Matera, Argentina and Stade Français
It’s been a year to forget for Argentina and one to celebrate for the Jaguares. Matera gave his best efforts for the former and put in plenty of valiant displays in losing causes, whilst he shone as he helped lead the latter to their debut Super Rugby final. He now returns to Europe after a forgettable spell at Leicester and will attempt to resurrect Stade as a European powerhouse.
- Michael Hooper, Australia and Waratahs
A lone Australian to follow a lone Argentinean, it’s been a tough year for the Wallabies, who have been plagued by inconsistencies on the pitch and controversies off it. Despite that, Hooper has stayed a consistent and positive force for Australian rugby, constantly emptying everything he has for club and country. Whatever Australia’s failings are, they are not down to the effort shown by Hooper week in, week out.
- Kazuki Himeno, Japan and Toyota Verblitz
One of just three Tier 2 players in the Top 30, Himeno would walk into most Tier 1 international XVs. The 25-year-old is the heartbeat of the Japanese national side, despite playing alongside the more-talked about pairing of Michael Leitch and Lappies Labuschagne and, given his age, he will be the player to carry the torch forward as the Brave Blossoms look to build on the successes of 2015 and 2019.
- Jordan Larmour, Ireland and Leinster
Scintillating. That’s the only word you can use to describe Larmour. Even in an international group that consists of Jacob Stockdale and Keith Earls, not to mention a provincial group that also boasts James Lowe, the biggest compliment you can pay Larmour is that he is potentially the most gifted of the lot. New Ireland head coach Andy Farrell is surely working out how to make Larmour the centrepiece of his back line.
- Semi Radradra, Fiji and Bordeaux
The Fijian back has lit up rugby over the past 12 months and has Bristol Bears fans salivating at the potential impact he will have alongside Charles Piutau next year. One of, if not the most destructive attacking back line player in the world right now, if Radradra can add a little more defensive reliability to his game, he could swiftly become the most influential non-forward and non-half-back player in international and club rugby.
- Alun Wyn Jones, Wales and Ospreys
Jones has battled valiantly against the ravages of time and remains one of the most influential second rows in the game, although it’s hard to ignore the cases put forward by some of the younger locks ahead of him. The 34-year-old’s stewardship of the Wales team has been exemplary, and he has led a team that consistently punches well above its weight wonderfully. This might be his last year in these rankings, so take a moment to celebrate his contribution to rugby.
- Kieran Read, New Zealand and Toyota Verblitz
After a measured year or two following his success at the 2015 RWC, Read roared back into life in 2018 and followed that up with another strong showing in 2019. As mentioned earlier, it was a down year for the All Blacks in general, however Read continued to turn in impressive performance after impressive performance and few people in the game will begrudge him a lucrative spell in Japan to end his career.
- Handré Pollard, South Africa and Montpellier
It was a strong 2019 for Pollard and a campaign which truly saw him put his name among the Richie Mo’ungas, Owen Farrells and Jonny Sextons of international rugby. He wasn’t able to replicate international success at the club level, although he has now made the move to Montpellier and will be at the forefront of their bid for Top 14 and Champions Cup success in the coming seasons.
- Richie Mo’unga, New Zealand and Crusaders
If you can play well enough to force Beauden Barrett into a positional switch, you deserve your place on this list. Mo’unga was impressive for the All Blacks, although, rarely for the southern hemisphere, it was his club form with the Crusaders that really pushed him up and into this ranking, something which just nudged him ahead of the Springboks’ RWC-winning starter at 10.
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- Tadhg Furlong, Ireland Leinster
A significant drop down these rankings from last year, where we had Furlong ranked as the number one player in the world, although the Irishman is still one of the very best front rowers in the game. He perhaps looked a little fatigued earlier in the year, though he was back to his best for Leinster following the RWC and in terms of the complete package at tighthead, there is probably still no equal to Furlong.
- Aaron Smith, New Zealand and Highlanders
If Smith had some quiet years between the 2015 and 2019 RWCs, he emphatically re-announced himself as one of the very best half-backs in the world this past year. Under heavy competition from TJ Perenara, Smith seemed to re-find his top gear and combined excellently with Mo’unga and Barrett for the All Blacks, as well as keeping a Highlanders side consistently plagued by player exoduses, competitive at the top of Super Rugby.
- Jamie George, England and Saracens
What doesn’t George do on the rugby pitch? He has become one of the best all-round rugby players on the planet thanks to his significant contributions in the tight and in the loose. He has all the hallmarks of a Saracens-produced player and enjoyed a wonderfully successful club and international season, despite just falling short at the final hurdle with England.
https://twitter.com/RugbyPass/status/1209164660613812225?s=20
- Bongi Mbonambi, South Africa and Stormers
Mbonambi edges ahead of his England rival ever so slightly, something which is certainly influenced by the events of the RWC final. The Stormers hooker was unerringly accurate with his lineout throwing at the RWC and that helped provide South Africa with the platform they needed to upset favourites England. As excellent a year as George had, Mbonambi was arguably that bit more vital to the Boks.
- Brodie Retallick, New Zealand and Kobelco Steelers
It seems a bit strange to have Retallick this low and maybe that is down to viewer fatigue, with the lock having performed so consistently for so many years that we have now become complacent to his ability. Nevertheless, he has had some fierce competition in the second row stakes this year from England and Ireland in particular, and that plays into his slightly lower ranking here, despite his obvious ability.
- Damian Penaud, France and Clermont
The centre turned wing has shown remarkable development in that new position, going from a defensive liability to someone who holds their own in that regard and provides brilliant attacking incision each and every game. Whether at outside centre or on the wing, Penaud is one of the great hopes for France, especially if Les Bleus want to be a threat to win the Webb Ellis Cup on home soil in 2023.
- Liam Williams, Wales and Saracens
The consistency of Williams, whether it be for Wales or for Saracens, has seen him proclaim himself as one of the standout back three operators in world rugby over the last 12 months. The Scarlets will be over the moon to have him back next season, although there is no denying the platform that Saracens have helped him create during his time in north London.
https://twitter.com/RugbyPass/status/1210120240467709953?s=20
- Peceli Yato, Fiji and Clermont
How differently could the RWC have gone had Yato not been forced from the pitch with a head injury in the game against Australia? The bullocking back row was having a phenomenal game and that is no rarity for the 26-year-old in either the white of Fiji or the yellow of Clermont. Yato seems to have taken over from Leone Nakarawa as the devastating game-breaker in the Fijian side.
- Siya Kolisi, South Africa and Stormers
The RWC-winning captain’s profile has exploded since lifting the Webb Ellis Cup and whilst there is rightly plenty of focus on his accolade of being the first black captain of South Africa to win the trophy, that shouldn’t detract from his efforts as a player. His ball-carrying, energy and defensive nous all significantly helped the Springboks get to where they needed to be in 2019.
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- Tom Curry, England and Sale Sharks
We have Curry just pipping Kolisi in terms of his overall ability on the pitch over the past year, although there is very little between the two. After having excelled as a teenager in the professional ranks, this was Curry’s true coming out party, as he announced himself as one of the most influential back rowers in Test rugby.
- Duane Vermeulen, South Africa and Kubota Spears
Like Read, time has not ravaged Vermeulen and the veteran No 8 continues to excel at international level, despite some prominent challengers beginning to pop up. His physicality was crucial to South Africa in the RWC final and if there were an accolade for the most underappreciated player in that triumphant campaign, it would almost certainly have to go to Vermeulen.
https://twitter.com/alexshawsport/status/1209402781599182849?s=20
- Owen Farrell, England and Saracens
Farrell is a hate him or love him sort of character in the rugby world, though there is no debating his ability. He has had a brilliant year at club level and a strong campaign in international rugby, without quite hitting his peak at times in the latter. That said, he did captain his nation all the way to a RWC final and though they fell short on that day, it was an impressive tournament from his side.
- Cheslin Kolbe, South Africa and Toulouse
The livewire South African wing certainly takes home the title of most exciting player of 2019. Not only has he shone for Toulouse in the Top 14 and Champions Cup, he has also replicated that ability to break games wide open with the Springboks. He was another vital member of the RWC-winning side this year and continues to keep alive the idea that rugby is a sport for all shapes and sizes.
- Beauden Barrett, New Zealand and Blues
Again, with New Zealand’s struggles and Mo’unga’s usurping of the fly-half jersey, it’s easy to overlook Barrett. That said, he has adapted wonderfully to the full-back position in the absence of Damian McKenzie and emulated the Chiefs star’s counter-attacking incision and back line playmaking. The All Black fly-half and full-back competition moving forward is fascinating.
- James Ryan, Ireland and Leinster
In what has been a disappointing year for Ireland and a frustrating one for Leinster, who fell at the final hurdle of the Champions Cup, Ryan’s continued rise and almost immaculate performances have become the norm. Even when things have gone wrong for both of those teams, the lock has still been turning in emphatic displays.
- Kyle Sinckler, England and Harlequins
Seemingly buoyed and driven on by his experience with the British and Irish Lions in 2017, 2019 has been a year of continued upward trajectory for the skilful tighthead. His improving scrummaging has been noted by all and his playmaking ability in the loose is probably unmatched at the position. His early departure from the RWC final with a head injury was a hammer blow to England.
- Faf de Klerk, South Africa and Sale Sharks
Despite being criticised for his kick-heavy approach during the RWC, de Klerk’s game management was crucial in delivering a third Webb Ellis Cup for South Africa. Combined with the high-octane abandon he plays with at club level and in some internationals, the Springbok has been the most complete scrum-half in the game over the past 12 months.
https://twitter.com/RugbyPass/status/1209137255509569538?s=20
- Maro Itoje, England and Saracens
England’s talisman, Itoje played a vital role in taking his nation to the RWC final this year, as well as wrapping up the Premiership and Champions Cup double with Saracens. He may not wear the armband for club or country, but he is the emotional leader of both sides and registered a stunning 2019 in terms of his individual performances.
- Ardie Savea, New Zealand and Hurricanes
As with a few of the other Kiwis previously mentioned, New Zealand’s sub-par RWC takes the sheen off their individual performances a little, but it really shouldn’t when considering the year in its entirety. With Sam Cane injured for much of it, Savea continued to excel at club and country levels, as his breakdown work, ferocious ball-carrying and innate physical gifts saw him single himself out as one of the best in the world.
- Pieter-Steph du Toit, South Africa and Stormers
The reigning World Rugby Player of the Year, you’ll find no argument from us about his position as rugby’s premier player currently. The flanker’s physicality, work rate and technical skill was unmatched in the recent RWC and he is fully deserving of every accolade that comes his way.
Perhaps the one thing missing from his CV is the club success to match the international awards, and if he can spearhead a resurgent Stormers side in Super Rugby next year, he will only further cement himself at the top of these rankings.
Watch: Eddie Jones sends out a warning to the All Blacks
Comments on RugbyPass
Exeter were thumped by 38 points. And they only had to hop on a train.
29 Go to commentsI am De Groot.
1 Go to commentsHad hoped you might write an article on this game, Nick. It’s a good one. Things have not gone as smoothly for ROG since beating Leinster last year at the Aviva in the CC final. LAR had the Top 14 Final won till Raymond Rhule missed a simple tackle on the excellent Ntamack, and Toulouse reaped the rewards of just staying in the fight till the death. Then the disruption of the RWC this season. LAR have not handled that well, but they were not alone, and we saw Pau heading the Top 14 table at one stage early season. I would think one of the reasons for the poor showing would have to be that the younger players coming through, and the more mature amongst the group outside the top 25/30, are not as strong as would be hoped for. I note that Romain Sazy retired at the end of last season. He had been with LAR since 2010, and was thus one of their foundation players when they were promoted to Top 14. Records show he ended up with 336 games played with LAR. That is some experience, some rock in the team. He has been replaced for the most part by Ultan Dillane. At 30, Dillane is not young, but given the chances, he may be a fair enough replacement for Sazy. But that won’be for more than a few years. I honestly know little of the pathways into the LAR setup from within France. I did read somewhere a couple of years ago that on the way up to Top 14, the club very successfully picked up players from the academies of other French teams who were not offered places by those teams. These guys were often great signings…can’t find the article right now, so can’t name any….but the Tadgh Beirne type players. So all in all, it will be interesting to see where the replacements for all the older players come from. Only Lleyd’s and Rhule from SA currently, both backs. So maybe a few SA forwards ?? By contrast, Leinster have a pretty clear line of good players coming through in the majority of positions. Props maybe a weak spot ? And they are very fleet footed and shrewd in appointing very good coaches. Or maybe it is also true that very good coaches do very well in the Leinster setup. So, Nick, I would fully concurr that “On the evidence of Saturday’s semi-final between the two clubs, the rebuild in the Bay of Biscay is going to take longer than it is on the east coast of Ireland”
11 Go to commentsWhat was the excuse for the other knockout blowouts then? Does the result not prove the Saints were just so much better? Wise call to put your eggs in one basket when you’ve got 2 comps simultaneously finishing.
29 Go to commentsReally hope Kuruvoli and his partner rock the Canes.
1 Go to commentsI wonder what impact Samson has had on their attack, as the team seems less prone to trundle it up the middle, take the tackle and then trundle it up again. I lost faith in the coach last year as the Rebelss looked like a 2nd/3rd rate South African team. I also disliked Gordon standing back, often ignored as the forward battle went on and on. Maybe its our Aussie way of not getting off our A***’s until the enemy is at the gate.
86 Go to commentsThanks for the write up. Great to see the Rebs winning, I am a little interested in how they will go against the remaining kiwi teams, I think they’ve only played Hurricanes and Highlanders but how great to see these players performing!! I also see Parling has a job beyond June 30! A good move by RA? Also how do you fix the Rebels previously scratchy defence?
86 Go to commentsbe smart - go black
13 Go to commentsNext week the Crusaders hopefully have Scott Barrett back. Will be great to have the captain back. Hopefully he will be the All Black captain as well.
12 Go to commentsExciting place to be for the young fella. I expected he was French Polynesian when I saw him included in the France 6N squad (after seeing him in NZs), and therefor be strong grounds we might loose him to rugby down here. Good, in that he is good enough to warrant such a profile, and from a journalism’s fan interaction aspect, to finally get a back ground story on the fella. Hope he has settled into NZ OK and that at least one rugby country will fit with him to help his development, which, if so, he should surely continue for a few years, and then that he can experience France to it’s fullest with a bit more maturity and less reliance on family than you would have at his current age. A good 3 or 4 years before he would be ready for International duty if he wanted to wait. Of course he already sounds good enough to accept a call up, and to cap himself, in the more immediate future (he’d have to be very very good in the case of the ABs), and he’ll get a great taste of that being with the Canes who have a bunch who are just a few years further into their career and looking likely Internationals themselves.
13 Go to commentsI remember towards the end of the original broadcasting deal for Super rugby with Newscorp that there was talk about the competition expanding to improve negotiations for more money - more content, more cash. Professional rugby was still in its infancy then and I held an opposing view that if Super rugby was a truly valuable competition then it should attract more broadcasters to bid for the rights, thereby increasing the value without needing to add more teams and games. Unfortunately since the game turned professional, the tension between club, talent and country has only grown further. I would argue we’re already at a point in time where the present is the future. The only international competitions that matter are 6N, RC and RWC. The inter-hemisphere tours are only developmental for those competitions. The games that increasingly matter more to fans, sponsors and broadcasters are between the clubs. Particularly for European fans, there are multiple competitions to follow your teams fortunes every week. SA is not Europe but competes in a single continental competition, so the travel component will always be an impediment. It was worse in the bloated days of Super rugby when teams traversed between four continents - Africa, America, Asia and Australia. The percentage of players who represent their country is less than 5% of the professional player base, so the sense of sacrifice isn’t as strong a motivation for the rest who are more focused on playing professional rugby and earning as much from their body as they can. Rugby like cricket created the conundrum it’s constantly fighting a losing battle with.
4 Go to commentsOh wow… “But as La Rochelle proved in winning in Cape Town this season, a cross-continental away assignment need not spell the end of days.” La Rochelle actually proved quite the opposite. After traveling to Cape town and back they (back-to-back and current champs) got mercilessly thumped the next week. If travel is not the reason, why else would a full-strength powerhouse like La Rochelle get dumped on their @r$e$ one week later?
29 Go to commentsYou know he can land a winning conversion after the full time siren is up. (Even if it takes two attempts.)
5 Go to commentsA very insightful article from Jake. I would love to know how South African’s feel about their move to Europe. Do you prefer playing in Europe or want to go back to Super Rugby?
4 Go to commentspure fire
1 Go to commentsA very well thought out summary of all the relevant complications…agree with your ”refer the Cricket Test versus 20/20 comparison”. More also definitely doesn't necessarily mean better!
4 Go to commentsMust be something when you are only 19 y.o and both NZ and France want you. Btw he wasn’t the only new caledonian in french U20 as Robin Couly also lived in Noumea until 17. Hope he’s successful wherever he chooses to play.
13 Go to comments“Several key players in the Stade Rochelais squad are in their thirties” South Africans are going to hate the implications of that comment!
11 Go to commentsI know Leinster did a job on La Roche but shortly after HT Leinster were 30-13 ahead of them and at a similar time Toulouse were trailing Exeter. At 60 mins Leinster were 27 ahead but after 67 mins Toulouse were only 19 ahead before Exeter collapsed. That’s heavier scoring by Leinster against the Champions. I think people are looking at Toulouses total a little too much. I also think Northhampton are in with a real chance, albeit I’d put Leinster as favourites. If Leinster make the final I expect them to win by more than ten and with control.
11 Go to commentsHey Nick, your match analysis is decent but the top and tail not so much, a bit more random. For a start there’s a seismic difference in regenerating any club side over a test team. EJ pretty much had to urinate with the appendage he’d been given at test level whereas club success is impacted hugely by the budget. Look no further than Boudjellal’s Toulon project for a perfect example. The set ups at La Rochelle and Leinster are like chalk and cheese and you are correct that Leinster are ahead. Leinster are not just slightly ahead though, they are light years ahead on their plans, with the next gen champions cup team already blooded, seasoned and developing at speed from their time manning the fort in the URC while the cream play CC and tests. They have engineered a strong talent conveyor belt into their system, supported by private money funnelled into a couple of Leinster private schools. The really smart move from Leinster and the IRFU however is maximising the Irish Revenue tax breaks (tax relief on the best 10 years earnings refunded at retirement) to help keep all of their stars in Ireland and happy, while simultaneously funding marquee players consistently. And of course Barrett is the latest example. But in no way is he a “replacement for Henshaw”, he’s only there for one season!!! As for Rob Baxter, the best advice you can give him is to start lobbying Parliament and HMRC for a similar state subsidy, but don’t hold your breath… One thing Cullen has been very smart with is his coaching team. Very quickly he realised his need to supplement his skills, there was talk of him exiting after his first couple of years but he was extremely shrewd bringing in Lancaster and now Nienaber. That has worked superbly and added a layer that really has made a tangible difference. Apart from that you were bang on the money… 😉😂
11 Go to comments