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How did Premiership Rugby's 12 nominated 'players to watch' fare in the 2019/20 season
It was last September, less than a fortnight before the World Cup got started in Japan, that Premiership Rugby circulated its media guide for the 2019/20 Gallagher Premiership season.
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At its new-season launch at Twickenham in early September, long before the action eventually got going on the weekend of October 18, a dozen players to watch out for were listed in the league’s preview for the season ahead.
With that campaign now grounded to a sudden halt with just 13 of the 22 regulation season rounds off fixtures played due to the coronavirus outbreak, RugbyPass sifts through the chosen candidates to gauge how they fared:
Ruaridh McConnochie – Bath
‘His meteoric rise continued, as the winger was named in England’s 2019 RWC squad’ – Premiership Rugby Media Guide
The England World Cup squad member picked up a knock not long after his return from Japan and he only really came into his own in 2020. Started five times on the left wing in the league, scoring three tries to help his club into sixth place. The 28-year-old made an average 6.9 metres per carry and beat 17 defenders. His 40 carries clocked up a metre total of 276 in 400 league minutes.
Nathan Hughes – Bristol
‘He will add power and dynamism to Pat Lam’s already exciting squad’
A marquee signing from Wasps, he put any disappointment at being overlooked by England to effective use by appearing in all 13 of the Bears’ league games, starting in twelve and playing 918 minutes in their gallop to third place. The 28-year-old No8 signed off having conceded 13 penalties and 20 turnovers, but those shortcomings were offset by his other contributions. He made 648 metres from 176 carries (an average 3.68 metres per carry), beat 60 defenders, made eleven clean breaks, scored twice and won seven turnovers. Comes fifth in Premiership Rugby’s top ten list of players for 2019/20 based on their Opta Index scoring system.
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Stuart Hogg – Exeter
‘Rob Baxter’s biggest capture of the close season’
The signing from Glasgow fitted in seven league starts despite being away at the World Cup in Japan and then becoming Scotland’s skipper for the recent Guinness Six Nations. The full-back’s eagerness to play was encapsulated by his start versus Gloucester six days after the Scots lost to England, the 27-year-old chipping in with his only Premiership try that night at Kingsholm to rid himself of the demons of dropping the ball over the Ireland line 13 days earlier. His 556 league minutes for the table-toppers witnessed 580 metres off 89 carries, a 6.52-metre average. There were 25 defenders beaten, a dozen clean breaks and seven offloads, the downsides being concession of eleven turnovers and nine missed tackles for a 63 per cent success rate.
TOP ? PLAYERS OF THE SEASON ?@OptaJonny have crunched the numbers based on their Opta Index scoring system and these are the best performers ?
Anyone surprised to see @ExeterChiefs' @samsimmonds_ leading the way??
Here's how it works ?? https://t.co/ywhxoIBl3y pic.twitter.com/l1WAIHAxfK
— Premiership Rugby (@premrugby) March 31, 2020
Ollie Thorley – Gloucester
‘The 23-year-old put together a highlights reel of memorable moments last season’
A star in his club’s run to the 2018/19 semi-finals, he started ten games in a campaign this term that tapered away in recent months with the string of defeats that leaving Gloucester slumped in ninth spot. The left winger’s 741 minutes featured a 552-metre gain from 81 carries, an average 6.81 metres per carry in a season where he beat 31 defenders, made 15 clean breaks, popped seven offloads and scored four tries. The black marks were concession of nine turnovers and missing 14 tackles for a 70 per cent success rate.
Cadan Murley – Harlequins
‘The pacey, young winger is widely regarded as an exciting talent’
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Injuries were the story of the London club’s season, but the 19-year-old was a beneficiary as he started on the wing in nine of his ten appearances and scored five tries to help Quins into seventh. Making his strike rate even more impressive was how limited his possession was during his 632 minutes, carrying for 233 metres off 39 possessions, a 5.97-metre gain per carry. There were seven defenders beaten, seven clean breaks, four turnovers won and an 84 per cent tackle rate, the downside being his concession of nine turnovers.
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Do the @ExeterChiefs lads like @StuartWHOGG_ ? ?@adamhastings96 @Sladey_10 pic.twitter.com/uU0KNLTXT1
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) March 28, 2020
Jordan Taufua – Leicester
‘A Crusaders regular since 2014, he made his 100th appearance in the 2019 semi-final’
Despite only arriving in late October after helping Tasman to a maiden Mitre 10 Cup triumph following yet more Super Rugby glory with the Crusaders, the 28-year-old back row still managed to catch the eye in a difficult season for the eleventh place Tigers. There were seven starts, six at openside and another at No8, and his 437 minutes produced two tries, ten defenders beaten, seven offloads, 24 passes, an 83 per cent tackle success, five turnovers won and an average 2.65-metre carry in a 146-metre total off 55 carries in traffic. His work-ons were concession of six penalties and a half-dozen turnovers.
Waisake Naholo – London Irish
‘He looks set to excite the Madjeski Stadium crowds in the upcoming campaign’
The ex-All Black winger immediately announced himself at the eighth place Exiles, confidently grabbing a cross-kick on his debut and racing in to score versus Leicester in Reading. He then followed up with a solo stunner at Bristol off an intercept. However, the 28-year-old managed just 310 league minutes and a total of four starts, avoiding some of the depths of the English winter by returning to New Zealand on paternity leave.
“I hope we all get some external help because I would hate… it would be disastrous for the game if we lost clubs" @CoventryRugby boss @njperformanceuk fears the worst – writes @heagneyl ???https://t.co/W0CU4euLRu
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) March 29, 2020
Matt Proctor – Northampton
‘He established himself as one of the best midfielders in the southern hemisphere before switching’
Snapped up from Chris Boyd’s old Hurricanes stomping ground, the 28-year-old ex-All Black had six league appearances and 344 minutes before the season halted, four games as a starter at outside centre. He was an instant hit at Franklin’s in helping Saints to reach fourth spot, scoring twice on his league debut versus rivals Leicester in late November.
Lood de Jager – Sale
‘Steve Diamond made his intentions of bringing in world-class international forwards clear’
Was a headline-grabbing signing for Steve Diamond but Sale fans were left waiting to see the World Cup-winning second row in action as a serious shoulder injury during the November final against England sidelined him. The initial prognosis was a six-month lay-off, but the 27-year-old savaged that prediction. He made a 25-minute debut off the bench in Sharks’ last outing on March 6, helping them spin a 15-0 lead over London Irish out into a 39-point drubbing and give a vibrant glimpse of the enforcer type contribution the second-place team bought him for.
"It’s a lot more difficult for those lower paid players to stick their heads above the parapet because they might be judged for doing so."https://t.co/w5m6CkKwYw
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) March 27, 2020
Alex Lewington – Saracens
‘He is expected to make a splash in all competitions for the Men in Black’
The 28-year-old made ten starts in his dozen league appearances, mostly on the left wing. His 791 minutes featured 26 defenders beaten, 13 clean breaks, ten offloads, three tries and 475 metres off 62 carries, a 7.66-metre average per carry. On the other side of the ledger were a 64 per cent tackle success rate and concession of 13 turnovers for the club that won nine of its 13 games despite suffering automatic relegation due to salary cap breaches that have them bottom of the table.
Malakai Fekitoa – Wasps
‘The powerful centre already has a wealth of experience on his shoulders’
The 27-year-old ex-All Black was a powerful presence in his nine starts at outside centre, beating 27 defenders, making eleven clean breaks, giving eight offloads, scoring twice, passing 38 times and carrying 466 metres off 86 carries, an average 5.42 metres per carry. On the debit side, he was yellow-carded twice for fifth place Wasps, conceded six penalties and seven turnovers.
Ted Hill – Worcester
‘The 20-year-old has now become a first-team regular and continues to impress’
Now 21, the blindside can look back on a very productive campaign where he started in a dozen of Worcester’s 13 league games and played the full 80 minutes in every start. That robustness highlighted how much more dependant Alan Solomons is now on the youngster who made seven of his 18 league appearances last term off the bench. The downside is he has lost his surprise element as his six-try haul in 2018/19 dropped to just one this term, an opening day score versus Leicester, as he became more of a marked man in his 960 minutes. His general excellence, though, resulted in a contract extension in November through to summer 2022. Comes eighth in Premiership Rugby’s Opta Index top ten list for the season so far.
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Comments on RugbyPass
Super 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?
8 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.
9 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.
8 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.
22 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.
9 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…??? 🤑🤑🤑
16 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
16 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
14 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 commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
5 Go to commentsHe seems to have the same aura as Marcus Smith - by which I mean he’s consistently judged as if he’s several years younger than he actually is. Mngomezulu has played 24 times for the Stormers. When Pollard was his age he had played 24 times for South Africa! He has more time to develop, but he has also had time to do some developing already, and he hasn’t demonstrated nearly as much talent in that time as one would expect. If he is a generational talent, then it must be a pretty poor generation.
6 Go to commentsThe greatest Springbok coach of all time is entirely on the money. Rassie and Jacques have given the south african public a great few years, but the success of the springbok selection policy will need to be judged in light of what comes next. The poor condition that the provincial system is currently in doesn’t bode well for the next few years of international rugby, and the insane 2026 schedule that the Boks have lined up could also really harm both provincial and international consistency.
22 Go to commentsJake White is a brilliant coach and a master in the press. This is another masterclass in media relations and PR but its also a very narrow view with arguments that dont always hold water. White wants his team to win, he wants the best players in SA and wants his team competitive. You however have to face up to the reality of a poor exchange rate and big clubs with big budgets. SA Rugby cant compete and unless it can find more money SA players will keep leaving regardless of Springbok eligibility and this happened in 2015 - 2017. Also rugby is not cricket. Cricket has 3 formats and T20 cricket is where the money is at. When it comes to club vs country the IPL is king but that wont happen because the international calendar does not clash with the club calendar in rugby. So the argument about rugby going down the same path as cricket is really a non-starter
22 Go to commentsNZ rugby seem not to have learnt anything from professional rugby. Super rugby was dying and SA left before they died with the competition. SA rugby did a u turn on their approach to international players playing overseas and such players are now selected for Bok teams. As much as each country would love to retain their players playing in local competitions, this is the way the world is evolving my friends. Move with it or stay 20 years behind the times. One more thing. NZ rugby hierarchy think they are the big cheese. Take a more humble approach guys. You do not seem to have your players best interests at heart.
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