Breakthrough Player of the Year contenders: An early look
Every year, rugby arm chair critics around the world look forward to the shortlist of contenders for player of the year being announced so they can pick apart the relative merits of their favourite – and least favourite – players. Equally as interesting, and a bit more difficult to predict (that is to say, you can’t just assume it’s going to be the All Blacks number 10 or number 7), is World Rugby’s Breakthrough Player of the Year.
The Breakthrough Player of the Year is a queer award, up for grabs only to players who have less than one year of international rugby under their belt. The shortlist is typically announced in late October every year, and for the past few seasons has often included players who only made their debut in June. Being blooded in June may give southern hemisphere players a chance to stake their claim for the prize, but their northern hemisphere compatriots are not so lucky. Ultimately, if you want to have a good shot and being crowned Breakthrough Player of the Year, you want to make your international debut in November.
There are a number of players in 2018 who are pressing their claim to achieve what players such as Rieko Ioane, Maro Itoje and Nehe Milner-Skudder have previously accomplished, here we have a look at three of the leading contenders.
Taniela Tupou – Australia
Debut v Scotland (25/11/2017)
Tupou was making a name for himself before even finishing his high school rugby career in New Zealand. Videos of Tupou obliterating other players as he made his way to the try line did the rounds in the media and he was quickly snapped up by the Queensland Reds. Often, players such as Tupou are picked up and fail to flatter – they make be great ball runners but they lack the technical skills needed to succeed at the highest level. These fears appear to have been unfounded, at least in Tupou’s case.
Making his debut for the Wallabies on their November tour, Tupou has shown himself to be a brilliant impact prop and were it not for the fact that he offers a more explosive game than some of his competitors for the propping berth, would probably now be starting for Australia. As it stands, he’s coming off the pine and doing some real damage to the opposition late in the game – as Ireland can attest. One particular scrum in the Wallabies’ third test match of June showed that Tupou is much more than just a wrecking ball with the pigskin in hand. All things going to plan, he will be giving his opponents nightmares for years to come.
Jorden Larmour – Ireland
Debut v Italy (10/02/2018)
Though Larmour may not have had as many opportunities to impress as some others, only debuting for Ireland in February, astute rugby heads are already singing his praises. As mentioned, it’s a lot easier to press your claim for the top prize when you’ve been playing for almost a whole year, but Larmour may be the most likely to come out trumps of the players who only started their international careers this year. Being part of a successful Six Nations squad and contributing to Ireland’s first ever series win on Australian soil will have done wonders for Larmour’s chances.
Mainly at home in the outside backs, Larmour also spent time in the midfield whilst facing off against Australia, showing his flexibility. As a young player coming into the international scene, the Irish coaches would have just asked Larmour to get the basics down – stick to the script and let the team do its job. Whilst he certainly didn’t shirk his core responsibilities, Larmour was also responsible for some key turnovers and made his presence felt.
Other contenders:
Blair Kinghorn (Scotland)
Kinghorn made his debut in this year’s Six Nations and can cover a number positions over the backline. Kinghorn will likely miss out due to his lack of time on the international circuit (though he’s managed to notch up five caps since his debut, not a bad feat given the timing).
Karl Tu’inukuafe (New Zealand)
It’s a case of last man standing for Tu’inukuafe, who has someone managed to go from being uncontracted in Super Rugby at the start of the season to making his All Blacks debut six months later. Front rowers have always been underrepresented in the World Rugby awards, if prop Tu’inukuafe can get some more opportunities in The Rugby Championship then he could change that.
Hadleigh Parkes (Wales)
Another Kiwi expat, Parkes is a very experienced operator and have been used by Wales when they need an elder statesman in the midfield – even though he’s a relative newbie on the international circuit.
Aphiwe Dyantyi (South Africa)
Dyantyi has been on fire for the Lions in Super Rugby this year and made his debut in the recent series against England. Tipped to retain his place on the wing for The Rugby Championship, a continuance of his Super Rugby form could see Dyantyi come into discussions.
Bundee Aki – (Ireland)
Comfortably the oldest and most experienced player on this list, Bundee Aki plied his trade in New Zealand for a number of years, representing both Counties Manukau and the Chiefs, before Connacht came calling. Although Aki only made his debut for Ireland in November, his experience in Super Rugby and the European competitions means he’s taken to test rugby like a duck to water – not surprising, given he’s won both Super Rugby and Pro14 titles.
Comments on RugbyPass
A wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
11 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
11 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
24 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
10 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
17 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to comments