Rugby World Cup 2023: The player each RWC country cannot afford to drop
It will take a whole 33-man energy to win the upcoming France Rugby World Cup, but some players are just vital to their own side’s hopes. For the sides to achieve their goal later this year certain individuals must stay fit, and we duly delve into who they are from the 20 nations that are competing in France.
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Rugby World Cup: Pool A
Antoine Dupont from France is the single most significant player in the competition. Les Bleus have an excess of quality nines but their skill still pales in comparison to the great Dupont. Everything goes through the Toulouse man, with the 26-year-old remarkable in pretty much every section on the attack, but he is also a brilliant defender and reliably puts his body on the line. It will be ruined if the captain gets hurt ahead of the RWC 2023.
Ardie Savea from New Zealand for years, the team kept him on the seat as an impact extra before moving him around the back row, but he has lastly settled into the number eight position. With the other two back-row slots open, Ian Foster has been lucky to have Savea, who has been a reliably high-quality performer at the base of the scrum. A bright ball carrier, a superb participant and outstanding at the breakdown, he has become one of the best for RWC.
Michele Lamaro from Italy and Sebastian Negri offer ballast few others in the side have while Paolo Garbisi is vital behind the scrum, but Lamaro, as well as being a great player, is an inspiring leader. He has a good bond with referees, speaks very well off the field and leads by example on it. The Azzurri are slowly becoming a better outfit but, without him, they may face difficulties at Rugby World Cup.
Santiago Arata from Uruguay, another country that is moving in the right way, but it is fair to say that the scrum-half is certainly their star. Since joining Castres in 2020, Arata has become their first-choice number nine and is in progress in the 2022 Top 14 final defeat to Montpellier. The 26year-old controls the game gorgeously from the base but also has the pace and footwork to make him an important threat for other RWC 2023 sides.
Johan Deysel from Namibia, the captain of Welwitschias, the hard-running hub has been a main part of their team since making his introduction in 2013. Unforgettably scored a try against mighty New Zealand at the 2015 Rugby World Cup and has continued to impress for Namibia following that contest. They don’t have much high-end quality in their team, but Deysel is certainly among their better performers.
France Rugby World Cup: Pool B
Eben Etzebeth from South Africa, even if skipper Siya Kolisi get well from injury and makes it to the global contest, the soaring Etzebeth remains their most significant forward. He was simply brilliant in 2022 and brings physicality, athleticism and technical excellence to the second row. The Springboks have plenty of flair at lock, especially if Lood de Jager, RG Snyman and Franco Mostert are all fit and accessible, but Etzebeth is the linchpin in the South African RWC pack. Rugby fans can book RWC Tickets on our website at exclusively discounted prices.
Johnny Sexton from Ireland, second only to Dupont in terms of rank to his nation. Ross Byrne did fine work as a stand-in during the Six Nations but the treasures of Leinster in the United Rugby Championship and Champions Cup showed why Sexton has been so energetic for the Irish. When the pressure comes on and they need the leaders and playmakers to make the switch, Andy Farrell can have confidence in Sexton doing that. Hopefully, his body holds up and he remains free of injury during the Rugby World Cup 2023.
Finn Russell from Scotland, the fly-half’s link with Gregor Townsend may have been tense at times following the 2019 RWC but the head trainer has now apparently realised that Russell is crucial. If the Scots are too troubled by either South Africa or Ireland, or maybe even both, they
won’t do it without the 30-year-old in the team. He may have the odd brain fade but Scotland will just have to accept that if they are to stand a chance of having a positive rivalry.
Ben Tameifuna from Tonga, thanks to the world rugby law alteration, this Tongan side could well be stacked come Rugby World Cup time. From the athletic back five forward Vaea Fifita to the likes of George Moala, Malakai Fekitoa and Charles Piutau in the backline, they have aptitude aplenty in the wider channels, but they still need that stage from the front row to thrive. Out of all the Pacific Island nations, they usually have the stronger scrum and Tameifuna has the makings to become that focal point.
Atila Septar from Romania, this is not the Romanian side of old, where they had a pack which could compete with some of the best around. Heading into the France Rugby World Cup, The Oaks appear set to be the whipping boys of a fiercely modest Pool B, but they do have a point of difference in Septar. A former France U20 player, the controlling back provides a genuine running threat in the backline.
Rugby World Cup 2023: Pool C
Ken Owens from Wales, given the shambolic couple of seasons they have endured, it is difficult to know whom Warren Gatland sees in his first choice 23. Even skilled players such as Taulupe Faletau, Dan Biggar, George North and Liam Williams are not certain to start, but we think Owens is one name that will be inked into the XV. They have some decent backup hookers in the shape of Elliot Dee, Ryan Elias and Dewi Lake, but Owens provides solidity in the set piece and work ethic in the loose.
Rob Valetini from Australia, both Michael Hooper and Quade Cooper are energetic to the Australia Rugby World Cup side cause but we do feel they are possibly replaceable, given the right structure and game plan. However, it is much harder to substitute like when you are talking about out and out power, which is what Valetini has. For a long time, Australia has lacked bodily ball carriers up front and it is why Valetini is so vital he is a back-rower that reliably gets over the gain line.
Eroni Mawi from Fiji, like Tonga, their talent away from the front five with no hesitation. They have so much depth in the back row and an absurd number of speedsters out wide, but it is in the technical aspects of the game where they have thrashed. Fiji have always hesitated at half-back and going into the Rugby World Cup 2023, they are once again missing there, but the playmakers will find it much easier should Mawi and co. form a stable platform. Rugby fans can book England vs Argentina Tickets on our website at exclusively discounted prices.
Davit Niniashvili from Georgia, the opposite of Fiji in that everybody knows the physicality the Lelos will bring to the set piece, but worries still linger behind the scrum. They are surely improving in that area and their pathways are creating far more potent backs, but Niniashvili remains the jewel in the crown. He is now on the sidelines but should return in time for the Rugby World Cup and, if he does, watch him go.
Tomas Appleton from Portugal Rugby World Cup a largely unheralded side but one which could amaze a few at the global competition. Not essentially in terms of results but certainly in the act, with the squad featuring several French-based players. Appleton is one of their home-based persons but he has become the linchpin in the backline, starting an excellent firm with Jose Lima. The 29-year-old also skippers the side and he has a big job on his hands in France.
France Rugby World Cup 2023: Pool D
Courtney Lawes from England some power says, Owen Farrell, given the result he exerts over the whole group, but the Red Rose misses the Northampton Saints flanker when he is not open. He has advanced into one of the finest blindsides in the game and adds so many qualities to the England pack. Lawes is a fine lineout athlete, strengthening their set-piece knowingly, but the 34-year-old has also been better very as a ball carrier and at the failure.
Kazuki Himeno from Japan doesn’t get the plaudits he earns but Himeno sincerely is one of the best back-rowers in the world game. A marvellous athlete who is influential in the tighter exchanges, he has eventually taken over from the superb Michael Leitch as Japan’s most important RWC player. From his ability with the ball in hand to his fineness in defence, the number eight, who can also feature as a flanker, is one to watch later this year.
Julian Montoya from Argentina, is up there as one of the best hookers in the world, his standard of play has been brilliant since the last RWC. Montoya played almost 80 minutes in each of Argentina’s victories over New Zealand in 2020 and 2022, exciting Los Pumas in both those achievements. They may well struggle if something occurs to the Leicester man ahead of the France Rugby World Cup.
UJ Seuteni from Samoa, unlike in previous RWCs, the Samoans don’t quite have the same star power in the backline. The Pacific Islanders are better served up front where the likes of Steven Luatua and Jordan Taufua reside, which means that they will be looking for that game-breaker behind the scrum. It could come in the form of the La Rochelle star, who was utterly magnificent in their run to the Champions Cup title.
Rodrigo Fernandez from Chile, their national squad primarily comes from one side, Selknam, which is based in the Chilean capital of Santiago. Fernandez is therefore the star player for both club and country and rose to prominence during the South Americans’ World Cup qualifying run. The playmaker counted the try of the season against the USA on July 9 and was related to their away leg triumph in Colorado.
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