With 2020 officially just a few sleeps away, many Rugby fans look back at the past decade and reminisce about the best players that have come and gone over the last ten years.
Most have heard about Dan Carter being named “Player of the Decade” along with a list of greats including Alun Wyn-Jones, Tendai Mtawarira, David Pocock, Jonathan Davies, Will Genia and George North all cited as the best players in their respective positions. Many were and still are open to debate amongst experts and fans alike, but there is no doubt that the 2010’s have given us so many memorable, magical Rugby moments and these players have been a superb joy to watch.
With that in mind, we have decided to close the year with a look to the future and to try to give you a glimpse at the 10 most promising players of the next decade that you should keep an eye on.
Romain Ntamack: Currently playing for Stade Toulousain, this number 10 has already shown what he can do at the last RWC. The ease and expertise at which he takes on the role of fly-half is both exciting and clinical to watch and he will undoubtedly be one of the hopes for France finally winning a Rugby World Cup in the next decade.
Brad Weber: At 28 years of age, Weber is no young buck but he has embraced the half-back position in the All Blacks with a calm and confident demeanor that should see him be a staple number 9 over the next few years.
Junior Pokomela: This 96 kg back row currently playing for the Free State Cheetahs is a massive, aggressive unit that continues the legacy of the physical South African forward.
Dillon Lewis: Coming through the Cardiff Blues academy system, Lewis will undoubtedly be called to many Wales senior sides in the future. He is a modern tight-head prop, able to anchor well in scrums with the ability to have a run along with the ball handling skills that is essential to the modern game.
Martin Laveau: A flying force on the wing, Laveau currently plays for Castre and has the size, speed and skills that should see him mature into a staple in the French squad of the future.
Joe Marchant: Having recently joined Auckland Blues, this young English center is set to gain the experience and exposure that should enhance his power and poise that make him such an exciting young talent.
Jordan Petaia: Born in 2000, Petaia showed us all a preview of his talent at RWC 2019. With the proper development, this young man has the potential to be a Rugby phenomenon in the next decade.
Leni Apisai: At 18 he had already played provincial Rugby for Wellington. He has already toured with New Zealand Maoris and is currently signed to Auckland Blues. This young hooker has the ability to blossom with his assertiveness and consistency at the number 2 position.
Robbie Nairn: Playing for Glasgow Warriors, Nairn has already been capped for Scotland at U18, U20 and Sevens and has the speed and power we all like to see in big wingers of the game.
Marcos Kremer: Standing 2 meters tall and weighing 115 kg, Kremer is signed to Jaguares and has the physicality and determination we all expect from Argentinian loose-forwards.
The modern game of Rugby is becoming a more powerful, forceful and faster game and with these ten young players and a multitude of others coming up through the game, we can be assured of more tantalizingly incredible Rugby over the next decade!
