Planet Rugby’s Newbies of the Year

David Skippers
Add as a preferred source on Google

Getting your shot in the first-team is part of the ongoing battle for many rugby hopefuls, but in 2020 these up-and-coming starlets made it big.

Their sterling efforts have not gone unnoticed by us here at Planet Rugby and we have consequently cobbled together a XV that although lacks in caps, it makes up for in quality.

Here we go then…

Newbies of the Year

15 Hugo Keenan (Ireland and Leinster): It was a memorable 2020 for the young Leinster back as he enjoyed plenty of minutes for his province, which coincided with an opportunity in the green jersey against Italy in October. He certainly took that chance with both hands as he scored two tries in the 50-17 win. The 24-year-old finisher, who can play wing or full-back, has finally broken through into the big time.

14 Louis Rees-Zammit (Wales and Gloucester): Mentions go to impressive London Irish wing Ollie Hassell-Collins and Tom Wright of the Brumbies after fine years, Hassell-Collins in particular standing out with his eye for the whitewash. However, it is impossible not to pick Rees-Zammit here as the Gloucester star has wowed us throughout 2020 and at 19 years of age, has such a bright future ahead of him.

13 Ollie Lawrence (England and Worcester Warriors): What a powerhouse the 21-year-old Worcester centre is and we’ve enjoyed watching his progress over the past 12 months, which included making his bow for England. The Sixways faithful know all about his talents and it’s pleasing to see him now recognised on the Test stage. He gets in ahead of Georgia’s Giorgi Kveseladze, Quinn Tupaea (Chiefs) and 20-year-old France and Bordeaux-Begles centre Yoram Moefana, who we thought looked right at home in the Autumn Nations Cup final.

12 Hunter Paisami (Australia and Reds): Paisami was on the ash heap at the Melbourne Rebels, where he was part of their senior squad in 2018 but didn’t get a chance to show what he could do at Super Rugby level before being released. After a year in the wilderness, Paisami got a chance to make his mark at the Reds earlier this season and he grabbed that opportunity with both hands, as he cemented himself in the franchise’s starting team with several commanding displays, which in turn led to strong Test performances with Australia.

11 Caleb Clarke (New Zealand and Blues): The former All Blacks Sevens star came to the fore with several standout attacking efforts for the Blues in Super Rugby Aotearoa, which earned him a call-up to New Zealand’s Tri Nations squad where he continued with his superb form. An explosive and devastating ball carrier, with speed to burn, the 21-year-old’s ability to beat defenders made him a crowd favourite with his franchise and in the international arena as he became the latest outstanding number 11 off the conveyer belt for the All Blacks.

10 Ioan Lloyd (Wales and Bristol Bears): A couple of players to mention right away are Italy fly-half Paolo Garbisi, who has taken to international rugby like a duck to water, and Toulon and France’s hot prospect Louis Carbonel, both of whom had good years. However, we look outside the box here in order to include a certain Lloyd, the versatile Bristol Bears player who has been carving up defences all season. He’s been a joy to watch and rightly was rewarded with a call-up to the Wales squad, making his debut in October, to cap a great 12 months.

9 Stephen Varney (Italy and Gloucester): Probably the toughest jersey in our selection as there’s been a lack of young number nines coming through the ranks in 2020. Sanele Nohamba has impressed for the Sharks in South Africa but we are going for 19-year-old Varney here, as it’s hard to ignore a year that has seen him make his name at Gloucester and then win his first cap for Italy. Not bad for a teenager.

8 Hoskins Sotutu (New Zealand and Blues): Although Harry Wilson of the Reds and Australia also impressed and had more game-time in the international arena, Sotutu’s claims couldn’t be ignored as he caught the eye with a string of outstanding performances during a truncated Super Rugby season and continued with his fine form for the Blues in Super Rugby Aotearoa. An outstanding athlete, blessed with a superb turn of speed and a great skill-set, Sotutu harnessed all these attributes and provided headaches to opposing defences before being rewarded with an All Blacks call-up in the Tri Nations. New Zealand’s long-term replacement for the retired Kieran Read has been found.

7 Will Connors (Ireland and Leinster): One of the rising stars of the Irish game, who has come through the ranks at PRO14 champions Leinster, the 24-year-old is the prototype of the modern day back-row, who is strong in the lineouts, a solid ball carrier and an outstanding defender. It is those characteristics which earned him a prized call-up to Andy Farrell’s squad for the Six Nations at the start of the year and although he had to wait until October to make his Test debut – in a rescheduled Six Nations fixture against Italy – it was worth the wait as he showed he has what it takes at the top level. He has gone on to represent his country in five Tests and should go from strength to strength.

6 Alfie Barbeary (England and Wasps): Currently sidelined with an ankle injury, the 20-year-old initially made his mark as a hooker for Wasps and the England U20 team before making a switch to the back-row. Barbeary’s impact in his new position was immediate and after a fine cameo off the bench in his Premiership debut against Worcester, he scored a hat-trick of tries in his first start against Leicester. That earned him a call-up to England’s Autumn Nations Cup squad and although he must still make his Test bow, it hasn’t deterred him as he also shone in Champions Cup wins over Dragons and Montpellier to edge Shane Lewis-Hughes (Cardiff Blues) and Elrigh Louw (Bulls).

5 Cullen Grace (New Zealand and Crusaders): 21-year-old Rebels lock Trevor Hosea can hold his head high after an impressive year in Australia, but there’s just something special about Grace. He looks every bit a Crusaders forward as he fits the mould perfectly, with his ability to play blindside flanker and second-row only adding to his many qualities. Keep a close eye on this youngster in the coming years.

4 Tupou Vaa’i (New Zealand and Hurricanes): Earlier this year, there was somewhat of a crisis in New Zealand as they struggled to find a back-up second-row for Sam Whitelock and Patrick Tuipulotu – after Brodie Retallick took a sabbatical and Scott Barrett was sidelined with injury. Up stepped Vaa’i, a 20-year-old who was one of the few positives for the Chiefs during a forgetful Super Rugby Aotearoa season. A good lineout operator with great athleticism and an eye for the try-line, as illustrated when he scored his first Test try in defeat to Australia in Brisbane, certainly justified the faith shown in him by All Blacks head coach Ian Foster. Kilian Geraci of Lyon and France was next best.

3 Giosuè Zilocchi (Italy and Zebre): Zilocchi is one of several young Italian players who was given an extended run in the international arena by Azzurri head coach Franco Smith and he was certainly a success story as he managed to give a good account of himself against more experienced opponents. Like most Italian front-rowers, Zilocchi stands up well in the scrums but his game isn’t just about pushing at the set-piece as he also does well with ball in hand and does not shirk his defensive duties. At such a young age for a prop, there is real promise here.

2 Tom Horton (Australia and Waratahs): Up-and-coming New Zealand hooker Tyrone Thompson definitely made his mark with a few spectacular tries in the Mitre 10 Cup, but we’ve opted for Horton, who cemented his spot in the Waratahs’ starting line-up after making his debut this season in Super Rugby. A mobile hooker, who is also strong in the implementation of his core duties, Horton’s good all-round game has earned him a call-up to Australia’s wider training group and if he continues on his current trajectory, he will become a Wallaby.

1 Angus Bell (Australia and Waratahs): He’s just 20, but has already made three appearances for Australia and made his international debut in a winning Test against the All Blacks in Brisbane earlier this year. Bell’s rise to the top has been a rapid one. Exactly one year ago, he was yet to make his Super Rugby debut but after ticking that box – off the replacements bench against the Crusaders in Christchurch – there has been no looking back for the talented front-row. He comes in ahead of Danilo Fischetti, who has also done very well for Zebre and Italy.

 

Australia