Once he returns to full fitness, the center is set for a big year in 2023. Am is the linchpin of that South African defense and will be crucial to their Rugby World Cup defense, despite the fact that Jesse Kriel has done an admirable job in his absence. He was amazing during their run at the global tournament in 2019; in the final, he turned it on by setting up Makazole Mapimpi’s try and stopping any English momentum.
Am and Damian de Allende are a perfectly matched midfield duo who provide both solidity without the ball and a significant threat when they do have it.
With his center partner, De Allende provides the balance, giving them more pace, footwork, and creativity in the wider channels. Am would make the ideal 13-man team, and the Springboks will be hoping that he doesn’t get injured again in 2023.
The 28-year-old is expected to return in the early part of the year to help the Sharks compete for the United Rugby Championship and Champions Cup championships before rejoining the Boks for the Rugby Championship. When the World Cup begins in France in September, the performance of Am could very well determine whether South Africa is successful in defending their title.
Ollivon will play an equally important role for Les Bleus, but Antoine Dupont is without a doubt the team’s most important player because he controls virtually everything they do with the ball. Following the flanker’s physical issue, which kept him out of the Six Countries, the scrum half was given the captaincy, and he made a fine showing during the Huge homerun win. After that, the back row came back for the tour of Japan and skippered the team, leaving Dupont off. Fabien Galthie’s team won the series 2-0.
Both Dupont and Ollivon were included in the French squad for the first time this year during the Autumn Nations Series, but the former was given leadership duties. After the half-back was sent off in the dramatic Springboks match, the latter took over against the Brave Blossoms in the final international of 2022. However, the 2021 World Rugby Player of the Year appears to be the captain heading into the global tournament.
It is, consequently a great deal of strain to deal with, particularly at a home World Cup, so having the initiative characteristics of Ollivon close by will be fundamental.
When France played in their November series, the Toulon man contributed to their victories over Australia and South Africa. This was the first time the team has seen the flanker’s influence return. In fact, Les Bleus performed poorly in either Test, but the 29-year-old made a tremendous effort to extend their winning streak.
The majority of people won’t be able to see the playmaker until later in 2023, but if you can, please do so before then. During Chile’s victories over the USA, Fernandez rose to prominence. He is a great talent. In the first leg of that match, he touched down for an absolute scorcher, which earned him the title of Men’s World Rugby Try of the Year. In the second match, he had a similar impact.
The 26-year-old’s abilities have been better utilized in the primary decision-making role, and he should remain in that position throughout the global tournament. Capable of playing at either fullback or fly-half, He will, of course, be in a group that will undoubtedly struggle, especially against teams like Argentina and England, but he has the skills to shine.
look much better than they did at the beginning of the season, but they still need to answer a few questions before the Rugby World Cup. One of them is how to handle their captain, or at least the person Ian Foster has always trusted to lead the team when he’s healthy. The flanker has been sidelined by injury for the past few seasons, but he has played a lot this season and hasn’t done well.
Dalton Papali’i was given the shirt in the Autumn Nations Series after a fractured cheekbone opened the door for someone else.
The Blues back row was simply outstanding. He was the star of every game he played, making him almost certainly the favorite to win the World Cup jersey. Despite Foster and the selectors’ confidence in Cane, who is 30 years old, and the fact that he has served as captain whenever he has been available, there is still a persistent doubt that Cane will be brought back.
As a result, it will be fascinating to see what happens in the following year. Cane will almost certainly be in the team as a whole, but it would be risky to start him over Papali’i, who is a great player. The fans, who strongly believe that he is currently a player in decline, will be furious if he does.