Rugby World Cup: Picking all 20 teams’ Most Valued Player ahead of the tournament

Jared Wright
Add as a preferred source on Google
Scotland's Finn Russell, Santiago arata of Uruguay, Antoine Dupont of France, Michael Leitch of Japan and Fiji's Levani Botia - Rugby World Cup

Our MVP picks ahead of the Rugby World Cup.

From the superstars to the underappreciated to the undroppable, every country competing at the 2023 Rugby World Cup has their own Most Valued Player (MVP).

Ahead of rugby’s showpiece event, Planet Rugby picks out the MVP for each of the 20 nations that will be competing in France.

Argentina – Emiliano Boffelli

Emiliano Boffelli is one of the best outside backs, if not players, in the world right now. He has become a crucial cog in Michael Chieka’s side, with the Australian starting the brilliant back in all but one of his Tests in charge since taking over as head coach. Boffelli is outstandingly accurate from the tee and adds versatility as a poacher-esque winger and cool, calm and collected full-back. Julian Montoya is the standout in the pack, but there is no better player in Los Pumas’ squad than Boffelli.

Australia – Will Skelton

Eddie Jones stunned the world by naming Will Skelton as his captain for the tournament. The behemoth second-rower had captained a side just once before being handed the armband for the global showpiece but is evidently crucial to the Wallabies. Skelton has shone time and time again in European rugby and has proved that he is among the best locks in the world and now has the added weight of leading a young Wallabies side at the World Cup.

Chile – Rodrigo Fernandez

The man who scored the try to seal Chile’s place at the World Cup and claimed the World Rugby Try of the Year in 2022. Like many of the players that feature on this list, Rodrigo Fernandez is the heartbeat of the Chilean side, particularly on attack, and with the South Americans deploying clever kicking tactics to secure their place at the tournament, his boot will be crucial once again.

England – Owen Farrell

It’s a close call here between England hooker Jamie George and captain Owen Farrell, but the latter is certainly the Red Rose’s best. He will miss the start of the tournament, which is a hammer blow as Steve Borthwick’s side face tough tasks against Argentina and Japan, but if England get past the group stages, Farrell will be crucial. The Saracens man drives the standards in the England camp, and while there have been lacklustre performances to date, Farrell is the kind of player who can turn things around for the men in white. He thrives on the big occasions and has proven that for club and country over the years; he just needs to stay on the pitch and out of the sin bin and disciplinary hearings.

Fiji – Levani Botia

The Fijian squad is chock-a-block with incredible talents in the backline, including the likes of Semi Radradra, Waisea Nayacalevu, Josua Tuisova and rising star Caleb Muntz. However, the standout superstar is in the pack in the form of Levani Botia. After a stellar career in the centres, Botia has now made a permanent shift to openside flanker and has quickly become one of the best jacklers in the game. At the same time, he has retained the scintillating skills that made him a force in the backs and his bulking carries. In a squad filled with stars, Botia is shining brightest ahead of the World Cup.

France – Antoine Dupont

When we picked out the players that each nation cannot afford to lose, Antoine Dupont was our choice for France and understandably so. And while there are several outstanding candidates such as Charles Ollivon, Gregory Alldritt, Thomas Ramos and Gael Fickou in contention for Les Bleus’ MVP, it simply has to be captain Dupont. There is not a better scrum-half in the world right now, and with Romain Ntamack ruled out of the tournament, Dupont’s stocks skyrocketed. Run, kick, pass, tackle, there is nothing the Les Bleus scrum-half can’t do.

Georgia – Merab Sharikadze

The outrageously talented Davit Niniashvili is the player that Georgia cannot afford to lose, but their Most Valuable Player has to be the experienced head of centre Merab Sharikadze. The 30-year-old is the glue that holds the Georgian backline together both on defence and on attack, and with a dynamite pack and exciting backs, Sharikadze is the perfect balance in the number 12 jumper.

Ireland – Johnny Sexton

Josh van der Flier and Caelan Doris are incredibly close runner-ups to the Ireland skipper, who, like Dupont, featured on our list of players each nation cannot afford to lose for the World Cup. Sexton is another player who drives the standards for Ireland, and his decisive decision-making on attack, exemplary goal-kicking record and big-match temperament makes him Ireland’s MVP. Ross Byrne has certainly made his mark in the warm-up games, but Ireland are a different beast with their experienced number 10 in the starting line-up.

Italy – Ange Capuozzo

While Michele Lamaro is the man Italy cannot lose, there were only two in the running for the MVP: prestigious playmaker Paolo Garbisi and the sensational talent Ange Capuozzo. The full-back is simply box-office and provides the kind of game-breaking ability that no other player can. Give him an inch and he will take a mile, his rapid pace and brilliant footwork makes him one of the most dangerous outside backs in world rugby.

Japan – Michael Leitch

The veteran back-rower might not be donning the captain’s armband any more for Japan, but make no mistake, he is as valuable as ever to the side. Kazuki Himeno is crucial to the Brave Blossoms, but Leitch’s ability, leadership and experience make him the most valuable player in Jamie Joseph’s side.

Namibia – Torsten van Jaarsveld

While captain Jean Deysel is the key man in the backs, veteran hooker Torsten van Jaarsveld is the standout in the pack. The 36-year-old is in the twilight of his career but is a crucial member of the Namibian squad. The ex-Cheetahs and Bayonne front-rower is a physical customer, and if the African side is to ruffle a few feathers at the World Cup, Van Jaarsveld will be central to their cause.

New Zealand – Aaron Smith

The All Blacks squad is littered with superstar quality, from the in-form Scott Barrett to his exceptional brothers Beauden and Jordie; while Will Jordan and Ardie Savea are undoubtedly front runners for the MVP tag, veteran Aaron Smith takes the mantle. Smith is in his final year as an All Black but still operates as one of the best number nines in the world as he sets the standard for quick, attacking ball while kicking supremely accurately.

Portugal – Samuel Marques

Amongst a young crop of talented Portuguese players is the old head of Samuel Marques, whose successful penalty goal against the USA sealed Os Lobos’ place at Rugby World Cup 2023. The 34-year-old is a Top 14 and Pro D2 journeyman, representing no less than six clubs in France’s professional ladder. He brings a cool head to the team, and his accurate place-kicking makes him an invaluable player for the side.

Romania – Cristi Chirica

A powerhouse back-rower who knows his way to the try-line, Cristi Chirica will captain Romania at the Rugby World Cup. The hard-hitting and resolute defender makes him Romania’s most valuable player.

Samoa – UJ Seuteni

The Samoans have been bolstered by World Rugby changing the player eligibility laws, but one man who represented the Pacific Islanders in the last World Cup is set as their most valuable player. With Christian Leali’ifano and Lima Sopoaga battling it out for the fly-half jersey, Seuteni can slot into his far more favoured centre role. He has shone for La Rochelle in this position and can do the same with Samoa now, providing the glue on defence and attack that they desperately need.

Scotland – Finn Russell

The player Scotland cannot afford to lose and their MVP, Finn Russell, is the key playmaker and most valuable player in Gregor Townsend’s backline and squad. While his attacking brilliance is the highlight of his game, his tactical kicking and game management are underrated. If the Scots are to navigate their way through a tricky pool, Russell will be the man steering them in the right direction.

South Africa – Siya Kolisi

There is a very strong case for Willie Le Roux following the injuries to key decision-makers in the backline, i.e., Handre Pollard and Lukhanyo Am, but no player is as valuable to the Boks as captain Siya Kolisi. The inspirational skipper is unmatched by any of his teammates in carrying and handling ability in the wider channels, while he is a furious tackler and an expert at the breakdown. His playing abilities to the side and his leadership is simply paramount for the Boks.

Tonga – Vaea Fifita

A top-quality blindside flanker is gold dust in Test rugby, and Tonga have one of the best in the business in former All Black Vaea Fifita. The Pacific Islanders have some excellent talents in the backline but will need to front up in the pack as teams will look to use the set-pieces and mauls to break them down; here is where Fifita will be crucial. He offers an incredible turn of pace and adds an abrasive edge on both sides of the ball. Amongst all the brilliant backline talents, Fifita is still the most valuable player in the Tonga squad.

Uruguay – Santiago Arata

The nuggety scrum-half is comfortably among the best half-backs in the world, backed by the fact that Toulouse reportedly have him in their sights if Dupont opts to take a break from the fifteen-man game. The well-rounded number nine edges the powerhouse German Kessler as Los Teros’ most valuable player. Like most scrum-halves, Arata is the heart of Uruguay’s game, and his influence cannot be understated.

Wales – Taulupe Faletau

One of only two players who didn’t feature during the warm-up matches, but still Taulupe Faletau cracked Warren Gatland’s final 33-man squad. Quite simply, Faletau is world-class; he ticks every box for what you want from a number eight and will look to flaunt his skills in just his second World Cup.

READ MORE: All the 2023 Rugby World Cup squads and team updates

Argentina Ange Capuozzo Antoine Dupont Emiliano Boffelli Owen Farrell Taulupe Faletau Vaea Fifita Will Skelton

Related Articles