Two Cents Rugby: Seven players who are primed for a great 2023 including a returning All Blacks loose forward

Two Cents Rugby
Henry Arundell and Ethan Blackadder

The international season may have come to a close, but the action continues and Two Cents Rugby has joined us again to pick out his players to watch in 2023.

Indeed, the Six Nations Championship is not too far away from kick-off and combine that with all the club competitions, there is a lot to look forward to next year.

So which players can we expect to have great years in 2023? Two Cents Rugby answers that question as he picks out his seven to watch in the World Cup campaign.

Ethan Blackadder (Crusaders and New Zealand)

Having sat out six months of rugby with a shoulder injury, Blackadder will have a real point to prove. He established himself in 2021 as a hard working loose forward whose versatility at six, seven and eight makes him especially valuable when considering limited World Cup places.

There are a few question marks around whether can he push his way back into the All Blacks – the most important being his ability to stay fit, but also whether he can regain his form which led him to a regular spot in the past.

Realistically Sam Cane and Ardie Savea seem locked in, but there might just be a spot to squeeze in either at six or on the bench for Blackadder, if he can outperform guys like Akira Ioane, Hoskins Sotutu and Shannon Frizell.

Henry Arundell (London Irish and England)

2022 was quite the year for 20-year-old Arundell. A first England cap against Australia saw a try on debut and he went on to claim a Breakthrough Player of the Year nomination.

An excitement machine with ball in hand, Arundell eat up metres and beats defenders – seemingly just what England’s attack could use after struggling in that area in 2022.

Given his age, it’s not impossible for Arundell to improve even more. However, he is under an injury cloud as we look towards the Six Nations. Assuming he can make a full recovery, it could well be his year.

Ross Byrne (Leinster and Ireland)

It’s sometimes a tough job for Byrne, living in the shadow of Johnny Sexton for both club and country.

He’s seemingly competing for the third-choice fly-half spot at international level, but something about the way he ended 2022 looks encouraging for 2023. He’s looking confident, kicking well and really putting his hand up.

Assuming Ireland are managing Sexton’s minutes and Byrne keeps up his form, there’s no reason he can’t have a cracking 2023.

Mateo Carreras (Newcastle and Argentina)

The way Carreras ended 2022 for Newcastle, it’s quite possible we will see him push his way into a starting jersey for the Pumas at the Rugby World Cup.

He didn’t manage any tries against England or Wales when he appeared on the right wing for Argentina, however for Newcastle his blistering pace and deft footwork have seen him score seven tries in his last seven games for the Falcons.

If Michael Cheika can get anywhere near the same performances out of him at Test level, he will be a genuine threat.

Joseph Dweba (Stormers and South Africa)

Got a taste of Test rugby in 2022 and his lineout throwing let him down. However, it’s not that long ago when Malcolm Marx was in the same boat of having an unreliable throw, so it’s an area Dweba will be putting a lot of work into.

Physically Dweba is a great asset to his team and gets some proper go forward ball. Combine that with the fact that he doesn’t miss many tackles, he has the potential to have a great year in 2023.

The Stormers’ lineout this year is at 85%, so I reckon it’s coming along.

Morgan Morris (Ospreys)

This guy is a proper workhorse and has to be on Warren Gatland’s radar.

Loves a tackle and also a real turnover merchant, he’s one of the best defensive players in the United Rugby Championship.

But it’s not only a defensive game with Morris, he’s been cracking with ball in hand as well. He’s one of the top forwards in the URC for metres carried and even bagged a couple of tries.

If there’s one area of the Wales squad which always looks stacked, it’s their back-row. But this guy looks like he’s got what it takes to put his name in the mix.

Jiwon Gu (Kobelco Steelers and Japan)

If Japan are going to get out of their pool at the World Cup, a strong set-piece is going to be key. Certainly, one of the hardest working a fittest props around, Gu is likely to be the starting tighthead if fit.

He only managed three Tests in 2022 and he absolutely tackled the house down against New Zealand and France, although he wasn’t quite as effective against Pool D rivals England.

He’ll be 29 by World Cup time next year, and should be coming in to the peak of his powers.

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