In the world of rugby, it's all about who's hot and who's not. This week, we're taking a closer look at the players who are making waves and those who are struggling to keep up. From record-breaking tries to disappointing defeats, the sport is full of surprises. But one thing is for sure: the game is never dull, and there's always something new to talk about.
Will Jordan: The Rising Star
Will Jordan is undoubtedly one of the stars of the moment. With a hat-trick against the Azzurri, he broke the All Blacks' try-scoring record, becoming the team's all-time top scorer. His performance was symbolic, with each try showcasing his poacher's instinct and clever support play. Jordan's trajectory since his debut in 2020 has been nothing short of remarkable, and he's now firmly established himself as a first-name on the team sheet. What makes his achievement even more impressive is that he did it in just 56 outings, a testament to his consistency and talent.
But Jordan's success isn't just about his try-scoring prowess. He was also given the captain's armband for a period, which adds to the sweetness of his achievement. It's clear that Jordan is a leader in the making, and his impact on the team is undeniable. As he continues to shine, the All Blacks will undoubtedly be a force to be reckoned with, and Jordan will undoubtedly be at the forefront of their success.
Henry Pollock: The Rising England Star
Henry Pollock is another player who's making waves in the rugby world. With a hat-trick and the second-most metres across the Test, he was a standout performer for England. His performance was a statement, and his calls to be promoted into the starting team are well-deserved. Pollock's confidence is evident in his play, and it's clear that he's in a good place right now. With some quality performances in big games under his belt, including a Man of the Match award in Northampton's PREM final win, Pollock is a player to watch out for.
But Pollock's success isn't just about his individual achievements. He's also a key part of a strong England team, and his presence in the squad is a positive sign for the future. As he continues to develop and improve, Pollock will undoubtedly be a force to be reckoned with, and his impact on the team will be significant.
Sean Jansen: The Ireland Hope
Sean Jansen made his debut for Connacht, and it was a performance that could easily cement his place in Ireland's long-term plans. While it wasn't flashy, it was a well-executed display of the basics. Jansen carried hard, tackled well, and was rewarded with a try. His performance was exactly what Ireland needed on a day that called for a performance like that. With a large number of Ireland's current crop coming towards the end of their careers, Jansen is in the sweet spot regarding his age profile, and he's only 27 years old.
But Jansen's success isn't just about his individual achievements. He's also a key part of a strong Ireland team, and his presence in the squad is a positive sign for the future. As he continues to develop and improve, Jansen will undoubtedly be a force to be reckoned with, and his impact on the team will be significant.
France: The vocal critics silenced
France has had some vocal critics ahead of the Nations Championship block, but they seemed to answer all of them with a big win over the Wallabies. The playmaking axis of Maxime Lucu, Romain Ntamack, and Matthieu Jalibert worked beautifully, and the bench turned the screw late on. The fact that this win came after a brave performance against the All Blacks with none of their Top 14 finalists proves that France is in rude health. You'd be brave to write them off.
But France's success isn't just about their individual achievements. They have the likes of Louis Bielle-Biarrey, Thomas Ramos, Antoine Dupont, and Julien Marchand to come back into the picture, which is a scary thought. As they continue to develop and improve, France will undoubtedly be a force to be reckoned with, and their impact on the sport will be significant.
England: The must-win Test
England needed a big win over Fiji, and they got it. While it wasn't absolute perfection, it was the tonic they needed after some hefty losses against Tier One nations. With some changes made within the team, including the likes of Henry Slade and Guy Pepper coming into the starting side, England got the job done with an 11-try win. But the ongoing coaching saga might have an effect, and they just need to find a way to win.
But England's success isn't just about their individual achievements. They have a lot of talent in the squad, and their impact on the sport will be significant. As they continue to develop and improve, England will undoubtedly be a force to be reckoned with, and their impact on the sport will be significant.
Finn Russell: The Scotland Fly-half
Finn Russell's performance against the Springboks was described as 'quite possibly the finest Test match of his career.' The Scotland fly-half was excellent in defeat, putting on an all-court game at Loftus Versfeld that was a joy to watch. While the scoreboard denied him, his performance was a testament to his talent and skill. With two months out injured, Russell's return to form is a positive sign for Scotland.
But Russell's success isn't just about his individual achievements. He's also a key part of a strong Scotland team, and his presence in the squad is a positive sign for the future. As he continues to develop and improve, Russell will undoubtedly be a force to be reckoned with, and his impact on the sport will be significant.
Pacific Island Nations: The weekend that wasn't
The Pacific Island nations had a tough weekend, with all of them tasting defeat to European opposition. Fiji were whacked 73-8 by England, Tonga fell to a 32-19 defeat to Spain, and Samoa lost 33-12 to Georgia. The fact that none of them picked up any form of bonus point in these defeats will also sting, and it seems like they're losing ground in their respective pools. But they do have winnable Tests lined up this weekend, and they'll just want to forget about the weekend just gone by.
SA Rugby Drug Scandal: An ugly picture
South African rugby has been hit with yet another unwanted drug scandal, with a urine sample from Junior Springboks and Sharks man Kai Pratt returning an adverse analytical finding relating to a prohibited substance. With this also coming amid the backdrop of Asenathi Ntlabakanye’s 18-month ban, it just paints an ugly picture for the union. But the impact of these scandals on the sport cannot be understated, and it's clear that there's a lot of work to be done to restore trust and confidence in the game.
Wallabies: The loss of mojo
The Wallabies were in a strong position 12 months ago, pushing the British and Irish Lions all the way in Test Two and ending the Rugby Championship third in the table. But now, they're on a run of nine defeats from their past 10 Tests and haven't won since a victory over Japan in October last year. It seems like they've really lost their mojo compared to where they were 12 months ago. The ongoing coaching saga might have an effect, but in the here and now, they just need to find a way to win.
But the Wallabies' success isn't just about their individual achievements. They have a lot of talent in the squad, and their impact on the sport will be significant. As they continue to develop and improve, the Wallabies will undoubtedly be a force to be reckoned with, and their impact on the sport will be significant.
