Eleven lesser known tier two players are poised to light up the World Cup
While we will all debate the runners and riders to lift the trophy in Japan over the next two months, the World Cup also provides an unmatched opportunity for players from the tier two nations to grab the headlines and perform on a global stage.
Whether it was Japan’s heroes from Brighton in 2015 or the plethora of players from the Pacific Islands who have caught the eye in years gone by and won professional contracts in Europe as a result, the tournament, the pinnacle of a career, is also a valuable gateway to other opportunities.
A lot of players will be relatively new names to more casual rugby fans, although there is a good chance they will feel much more acquainted with these players’ talents come the end of October.
We have shortlisted 11 of the tier two players that will be worth setting the alarm for and getting up early to see them in action.
Ataata Moeakiola (Japan)
A former under-20 sensation for Japan, Moeakiola came to the world’s attention back in 2016 when he scored multiple dazzling tries at the age-grade championship. A frustrating period followed at university level where he was utilised in the back row, but the Tongan-born talent has since moved back into his role on the wing with the Chiefs. Still just 23, Moeakiola could catch the eye if given an opportunity later this month.
Kazuki Himeno (Japan)
One of Japan’s most promising players, back row Himeno has become a stalwart contributor in a group that also boasts the likes of Michael Leitch and Amanaki Mafi. Given the money and pending investment in Japanese rugby, the physical flanker won’t be playing for a contract abroad like many of these players, although he could leave the tournament with his profile much boosted on the global stage.
Cliven Loubser (Namibia)
A former Eastern Province and Sharks youth player in South Africa, Loubser has emerged as Namibia’s starting fly-half over the past couple of seasons under the stewardship of Phil Davies. Unfortunately for Loubser, he will find himself on the back foot for much of the World Cup with Namibia in a pool with South Africa and New Zealand. He will need to execute even more precisely than normal if Namibia are to have any chance against Italy and Canada.
Lucas Rumball (Canada)
Rumball will not be a new name to watchers of Canadian rugby or Major League Rugby in the US where the flanker is an ever-present for the Toronto Arrows. An all-action openside, Rumball is exactly the kind of player that Canada will need to help them remain competitive in Pool B. He could be decisive in the match with Namibia, while he might be a potent thorn in the side of the three tier one sides in the group.
Hanco Germishuys (USA)
Speaking of all-action back rows, Germishuys is a fun ball-carrier to watch and he will be pivotal if the USA want to get on the front foot and break the gain line in Pool C. Born in South Africa, raised in the USA and having spent time playing rugby in England with the Gloucester Under-18 side, as well as the Sharks academy in Durban, Germishuys has a lot of experience for a 23-year-old. The likes of England, France and Argentina will need to be aware of the threat he offers.
Kapeli Pifeleti (USA)
At just 20 years of age, Pifeleti may not make the final cut for the USA, with Gary Gold’s side the last the confirm their 31-man squad for the competition. If he does, the hooker warrants plenty of attention in Japan. A cousin of the Vunipola brothers, Pifeleti was the pick of the Saracens Under-18 side two seasons ago but was denied a professional contract due to visa issues. He has been making his way with San Diego Legion since and has already won three caps for the USA Eagles. Could a return to England be on the cards once he has a few more?
Tedo Abzhandadze (Georgia)
This promising fly-half was still playing at the World Rugby Under-20 Championship earlier this year, although he has already made strides as Georgia’s starting fly-half at senior level. A nice balance of playmaking and game management, Abzhandadze, who has signed for Brive, can match his skill set to differing game plans, depending on the opponent Georgia are facing. He has joined Vasil Lobzhanidze at Brive, with the scrum-half having already stacked up a remarkable 44 caps at just 22 years of age.
Milton Haig says he believes his young fly half Tedo Abzhandadze "has the ability to be truly world-class". https://t.co/IUgB0szxFf
— Tier 2 Rugby (@T2Rugby) May 29, 2019
Giorgi Kveseladze (Georgia)
One of the few talented young Georgians not to have been snapped up by a French club, Kveseladze brings power and punch to the Georgian midfield, as well as offering some added dynamism on the wing when Milton Haig opts to use him there. Kveseladze was a big part of helping Georgia establish themselves in the Championship, the top tier of under-20 rugby, and his transition to the senior set-up since has been relatively seamless. Although the Lelos may struggle to live with the pace of some of the back lines at the tournament, look for Kveseladze to be a potent weapon of their own.
Eroni Mawi (Fiji)
This loosehead has been an integral part of the Fijian national team, as well as the Fijian Drua in the NRC, for the past couple of seasons, with surprising little interest from abroad for his services. A solid ball-carrier and mobile prop, Mawi should be fielding interest after the tournament, especially if he can help Fiji upset the odds and turn over one of Wales or Australia in Pool D.
Frank Lomani (Fiji)
Another player who has done very well for Fiji and their Drua side, Lomani offers accurate distribution, urgency and a carrying threat from the scrum-half position. Fiji will need to play fast if they are to counter the power and set-piece threat of the Tier 1 nations – and Georgia – at the tournament, and Lomani will be key to delivering that tempo and making the right decisions as he does.
Manuel Ardao (Uruguay)
This 20-year-old hooker/back row is an ace up the sleeve of Uruguay head coach Esteban Meneses. A mobile ball-carrier with a effective step, not to mention good skills at the contact area and as a chop tackler, Ardao’s work rate will shine for Los Teros, particularly in those games when they are under the pump. Given they face Australia, Wales and two of the better tier two teams in Fiji and Georgia, Uruguay will need everything they can get from their squad which could offer several glimpses at what Ardao can offer even at this young age.
WATCH: Part two of Operation Jaypan, the two-part RugbyPass documentary on what the fans can expect to experience in Japan at the World Cup
Comments on RugbyPass
Beaches? In Cardiff? Where?
1 Go to commentsHe is right , the Crusaders will be a threat. Scott Barrett, ( particularly), Fergus Burke , Codie Taylor, ( from sabbatical) etc due back soon for the Crusaders. There are others like Zach Gallagher too. People can right the Crusaders off, Top 8 , here we come !!
1 Go to commentsWe will always struggle for money to match the other sides but the least the WRU can do is invest properly in Welsh rugby. Too much has been squandered on vanity projects like the hotel and roof walk amongst others which will never see a massive return. Hanging the 4 pro sides out to dry over the last decade is now coming back to bite the WRU financially as well as on the pitch. You reap what you sow.
1 Go to commentsWhat do you get if you cross a doctor with a fish? A plastic sturgeon
14 Go to commentsWhat happened to feleti Kaitu’u? Hasnt played in a while right?
1 Go to commentsGregor I just can’t agree with you. You are trying to find something that just isn’t there. Jordie Barrett has signed until 2028. By the end of that he would have spent probably 11-12 years on Super Rugby and you say he can’t possibly have one season playing somewhere else. It is absurd. What about this scenario, the NZR play hard ball and he decides to leave and play overseas. How would that affect the competition. There seems to be an agenda by certain journalists to push certain agendas and don’t like it when it’s not to their liking. I fully support the NZR on this. Gregor needs to get a life.
2 Go to commentsHope he stays as believe he can do a great job.
1 Go to commentsMake what step up? Manie has a World Cup winner’s medal around his neck and changed the way the Springboks can play. He doesn’t have anything to prove to anyone. The win record of the Boks with him in the team is tremendous. Sacha can be wonderful and I hope he has a very succesful Bok career, but comparing him to Manie in terms of the next Bok flyhalf is very strange. Manie is the incumbent (not the next) and doing pretty incredibly.
1 Go to comments00 😍 U
1 Go to commentsSabbaticals have helped keep NZ’s very best talent in the country on long term deals - this fact has been left out of this article. Much like the articles calling to allow overseas players to be selected, yet can only name one player currently not signed to NZR who would be selected for the ABs. And in the entire history of NZ players leaving to play overseas, literally only 4 or 5 have left in their prime as current ABs. (Piatau, Evans, Hayman, Mo’unga,?) Yes Carter got an injury while playing in France 16 years ago, but he also got a tournament ending injury at the 2011 World Cup while taking mid-week practice kicks at goal. Maybe Jordie gets a season-ending injury while playing in Ireland, maybe he gets one next week against the Brumbies. NZR have many shortcomings, but keeping the very best players in the country and/or available for ABs selection is not one of them. Likewise for workload management - players missing 2 games out of 14 is hardly a big deal in the grand scheme of things. Again let’s use some facts - did it stop the Crusaders winning SR so many times consecutively when during any given week they would be missing 2 of their best players? The whole idea of the sabbatical is to reward your best players who are willing to sign very long term deals with some time to do whatever they want. They are not handed out willy-nilly, and at nowhere near the levels that would somehow devalue Super Rugby. In this particular example JB is locked in with NZR for what will probably (hopefully) be the best years of his career, hard to imagine him not sticking around for a couple more after for a Lions tour and one more world cup. He has the potential to become the most capped AB of all time. A much better outcome than him leaving NZ for a minimum of 3 years at the age of 27, unlikely to ever play for the ABs again, which would be the likely alternative.
2 Go to commentsJake White talks more sense than anything I've read in the last 5 years. Hope someone's listening.
9 Go to commentsThe Springboks tried going down the road of only picking home-based players and it was an unmitigated disaster in 2016 and 2017. Picking overseas-based players has been one of the main reason the Boks have done so well since 2018, not only because of the quality Rassie could call on, but because of the knowledge and experience those players brought into camp from England, France and Japan. With some of the big names playing abroad it also gave younger players in SA the chance to break through at franchise level. Would we have seen the emergence of a Ruan Nortje if RG and Lood were still at the Bulls? Not so sure. I understand why Jake would want to block players leaving since his job depends on good results but it’s an approach that would take Bok rugby back to the bad old days and no South African wants to see that.
9 Go to commentsExeter were thumped by 38 points. And they only had to hop on a train.
39 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.
39 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
14 Go to comments