A talented XV of snubbed players ahead of the Rugby Championship

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Rugby Championship: Split with Harry Wilson, Marcell Coetzee and Jack Goodhue

The 2023 Rugby Championship is soon to begin with an intriguing tournament awaiting due to the Rugby World Cup creeping closer and closer.

With all the squads named it is interesting to see which players have not made the cut.

Planet Rugby has put together an omitted XV that is alarmingly good and filled with players from all four countries.

Snubbed XV

15 Stephen Perofeta (New Zealand): The highs of the All Black’s 2022 season were slightly contrasted by his 2023 performances which were still good but he did not smash the door down. There is no questioning his quality but with the form of other back three stars as well as the return of Damian McKenzie as fly-half there is no space in the Test squad. Selection in the All Blacks XV squad is fair and gives him a chance to climb back up the ladder.

14 Warrick Gelant (South Africa): Typically a full-back but comfortable on the wing, the Springbok’s move to France with Racing 92 did not go as well as he would have hoped after leaving the Stormers as a United Rugby Championship winner. He struggled to settle in the starting line-up and as a result, his Test prospects were hampered. He is reportedly set to return to Cape Town where he will try to work his way up the pecking order again.

13 Hunter Paisami (Australia): The physical Wallaby’s omission is a by-product of an injury-hampered season where he did not get much of a chance to string games together and show some form. Eddie Jones’ return as head coach so close to the World Cup means there is no time for the veteran tactician to gamble with form as the priority. However, Paisami is a solid player ready to join the national squad if required.

12 Jack Goodhue (New Zealand): Similar to his centre partner in our line-up, the All Black’s progress has been hampered by injury as he certainly has the quality to be a positive contributor in the New Zealand set-up. His overall skill set and ability to cover both centres make him an asset. Goodhue is in the All Blacks XV squad which gives him a platform to show some form. We would not be surprised to see him back in the Test set-up this year.

11 Etene Nanai-Steuro (New Zealand): One of the stars of the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific, the wing showed his electric, try-scoring attributes throughout for the Chiefs. If there were not such intense competition on the wing in the All Blacks set-up he could have been in the squad. There is no mistaking that the speedster is ready for Test rugby and may get his chance this year if required.

10 Benjamin Urdapilleta (Argentina): The rise of Santiago Carreras coincided with the drop down the depth chart for the veteran who has been a great servant for his country. However, with Carreras and Nicolas Sanchez, the South Americans have a lot to work with. Nevertheless, the experienced star would have been hoping to represent his country at the World Cup.

9 Tawera Kerr-Balow (Australia/New Zealand): The former All Black has been in sublime form for La Rochelle in the Top 14 and was a critical player in the French side’s Champions Cup defence. He is very much out of the All Blacks selection frame but since he was born in Australia there were whispers he may be called into the Wallabies set-up but it was not to be. It could be a chance missed as he is world-class and he would have added value in any Test set-up.

Strong pack

8 Harry Wilson (Australia): Probably the harshest of the omissions in this team as he had a very solid Super Rugby Pacific campaign with the Reds where he finished as the tournament-high carrier. Form is not the issue, there is just some aspect of his game that the Wallabies management does not like. The number eight’s work rate is tremendous and he will count himself unlucky to not be wearing gold in the Rugby Championship.

7 Marcell Coetzee (South Africa): The flank is a brilliant rugby player and his leadership makes him even more valuable in any squad. However, the loose forward ranks within the Springboks set-up are quite well stocked with management preferring to select players who have been within the structures for some time. His stint in Japan may have worked against his selection.

6 Francisco Gorrissen (Argentina): The flank is unfortunate in that Argentina have impressive depth at loose forward and despite having a good season for Vannes in the Pro D2, he missed out on selection. He has been on the fringes of the Test set-up with one sole cap making his omission no great surprise.

5 Ruan Nortje (South Africa): The young lock slipped down the Bok pecking order this season, partially due to the underwhelming performances of the Bulls at times. However, it was a big season for Nortje who was handed the captain’s armband. He grew in his leadership role and will become a much better player for it. Unfortunately for him, there are a fair amount of South African second-rows firing at the moment. The Bull will likely be an important Test player for his country in the future.

4 Jason Jenkins (South Africa): Another tough omission on the list, particularly after being in the Bok set-up so recently. However, he was left out for the in-form Irishman turned South African Jean Kleyn. Jenkins has grown as a player at Leinster, especially with the execution of his fundamentals. It may be the end of his Test career.

3 Pone Fa’amausili (Australia): The heavyweight prop struggled with injury during the second half of 2022 and failed to lock down a starting spot with the Rebels this season where he mostly came off the bench. He is absolutely lethal in the carry but, with Taniela Tupou’s recovery looking promising and the lack of time for Jones to work with him, his omission is understandable.

2 Johan Grobbelaar (South Africa): Another player whose Bok prospects have been hit by both injury and the form of the Bulls over the last couple of seasons. He is a brilliant hooker and one who may play a role in the next World Cup cycle, but with Bongi Mbonambi and Malcolm Marx locked in with Joseph Dweba behind them, his omission is no surprise.

1 Ntuthuko Mchunu (South Africa): The young Bok has a big future ahead of him but unfortunately has some world-class stars ahead of him in the depth chart. His omission may not be a shock despite his impressive attributes and good form shown this season. His time will come and he is a great player to have waiting if required.

READ MORE: A powerful XV of injured stars ahead of the Rugby Championship

Argentina Jack Goodhue Marcell Coetzee Ruan Nortje