Six players to watch in the opening round of the Rugby Championship

Adam Kyriacou
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Manie Libbok and Emoni Narawa in action.

Manie Libbok and Emoni Narawa in action.

Ahead of the opening round of the Rugby Championship that sees games take place in Pretoria and Mendoza, we pick out six players to watch on Saturday.

The first match of the tournament comes from Loftus Versfeld where the Boks face Australia before it is off to Argentina for Los Pumas v All Blacks.

Before the action kicks off, we’ve selected six players to keep a close eye on this weekend as the truncated version of the Rugby Championship begins.

Manie Libbok

With Handre Pollard ruled out due to injury, Libbok has been given the Springbok number 10 shirt as he looks to transfer his club form to the Test stage. Libbok’s performances for the Stormers this past season have been excellent and even the neutral supporter wants to see his talents at the highest level.

He gets the nod alongside Cobus Reinach in a hugely exciting half-back combination that should fire behind a strong forward pack, with both players real excitement machines who will keep viewers on the edge of their seats. The Wallabies simply must keep a lid on Libbok’s game or they risk being punished.

Will Skelton

What a fillip it is for the Wallabies to have a fully fit and firing Skelton in their line-up, with the La Rochelle stalwart full of confidence after yet another dominant campaign in France. Such a force to be reckoned whose power will be vital to Australia’s hopes at Loftus, he truly is a one-man wrecking ball.

Eddie Jones will demand so much of every player in his squad and it is safe to say that Skelton will be one of his main priorities in terms of building a formidable spine to his Wallabies XV. If he can get the lock consistently at his peak and the likes of Taniela Tupou likewise, Jones will be a happy coach.

Jean Kleyn

Going up against Skelton and company on Saturday will be a Springbok debutant who is running out for his first cap in somewhat surprising circumstances. Indeed, the 29-year-old has been plying his trade at Munster, but with world number one side Ireland overlooking his talents, Rassie Erasmus pounced.

Kleyn’s form for Munster has been nothing short of exceptional this campaign in their United Rugby Championship title win and one can’t help but feel that Ireland are possibly regretting letting him slip through their grasp. It will be an emotional day for Kleyn and we expect him to rise to the occasion.

Emoni Narawa

Once the dust has settled in Pretoria, the focus will shift to Mendoza where another debutant, Narawa, gets his chance in the big-time and deservedly so. Narawa’s form for the Chiefs in Super Rugby Pacific this season has been hugely impressive and he looks readymade for Test rugby as we’ll see on Saturday.

Expect Narawa to follow the likes of Julian Savea and Rieko Ioane in enjoying a freakish try to game rate and where better to start that than on his debut. Argentina will no doubt look to pressure the new cap but with a strong kicking game and talent aplenty elsewhere in his game, he should enjoy a good night.

Mateo Carreras

Speaking of Narawa and up against him at Estadio Malvinas Argentinas is the electric Carreras in what is a box office head-to-head if ever we’ve seen one. Carreras’ form for Newcastle Falcons in 2022/23 has been wonderful to watch and the passionate home crowd will hope to see him cut loose in Mendoza.

His searing pace could punish the All Blacks if Los Pumas can give him the platform to unleash his incredible speed and elusiveness. Let’s hope we see it.

Damian McKenzie

Last but by no means least we have our player of the Super Rugby Pacific season. The Chiefs topped the regular season and that was due in no small part to McKenzie’s form, with the playmaker looking the complete fly-half, as his game has matured a great deal since he returned to New Zealand’s shores this year.

He might not be first choice number 10 for the All Blacks just yet – with Richie Mo’unga likely to start next week – but McKenzie is pushing hard and could press his claims further this weekend with a strong performance. In attack, defence and game management, this livewire pivot punches well above his weight.

READ MORE: Rugby Championship preview: All Blacks’ quality to shine through against Argentina

Argentina Emoni Narawa Manie Libbok

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