LittleGuy
First XV
- Joined
- Oct 3, 2010
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I thought this thread could be a place for people to talk about players that have made a great impression at this RWC but were either not well known( or respected) by the general rugby community. I figure the emphasis will be on the tier two and three nations here, but players from lesser tier one nations may as well have slipped under the radar, please feel free to add them.
I'll get things started with a few players that have impressed me.
Theuns Kotze - #10 Namibia: From the University of Johannesburg, Kotze has impressed me with his brilliant kicking out of hand and darting runs. Three drop goals in five minutes vs. Fiji had me thinking for a while we would easily see De Beer's record beaten, but Kotze is just as effective in setting up attacks. He also made a couple of darting runs one of which against Samoa resulted in a try. He also shook off a massive Paul Williams hit(which Wiilliams was yellow carded for) by bouncing back on his feet almost immediately. Apparently his goal is to get into a Currie Cup side, I beleive he is definately worth a look.
Ander Monro - #10 Canada: Not well known outside of Canada(perhaps a small bit in Scotland) Monro has been genious his first two games. Again great kicks from hand and a drop goal from the base of a ruck vs. France was amazingly cheeky and skillful. He is also a skillful tackler for relatively thin player(6'0" and 180 lbs.). Monro made a strong case for man of the match in the France game but his late substitution and Canada's subsequent collapse brought an end to those possibilities.
Victor Gresev - #8 Russia: Man of the match in the game vs. Italy, Gresev was a beast with ball in hand and had nearly 100 metres gained. Matched up against World XV #8 Sergio Parisse, Gresev was totally up to the challenge. As well Gresev was not a weak link in defence on a team mostly known for its attacking prowess.
Irakli Absudierize- #9 Georgia: The Georgian forwards are becoming a known quantity, especailly the way they pushed around England for parts of that contest, unfortunately the backs of Georgia have been dissapointing, however the link between them at scrum half has been fiesty and inspired. Brilliant box kicking, hard tackling and bruising runs from the Georgian scrum half have really impressed me, it's a shame the Lelos didn't have a better backline otherwise they would be scaring the crap out of Pool C.
Edit: I have plenty more but don't want to steal everyone's ideas!!! Please add some these guys need recognition and in many cases are looking for pro contracts.
I'll get things started with a few players that have impressed me.
Theuns Kotze - #10 Namibia: From the University of Johannesburg, Kotze has impressed me with his brilliant kicking out of hand and darting runs. Three drop goals in five minutes vs. Fiji had me thinking for a while we would easily see De Beer's record beaten, but Kotze is just as effective in setting up attacks. He also made a couple of darting runs one of which against Samoa resulted in a try. He also shook off a massive Paul Williams hit(which Wiilliams was yellow carded for) by bouncing back on his feet almost immediately. Apparently his goal is to get into a Currie Cup side, I beleive he is definately worth a look.
Ander Monro - #10 Canada: Not well known outside of Canada(perhaps a small bit in Scotland) Monro has been genious his first two games. Again great kicks from hand and a drop goal from the base of a ruck vs. France was amazingly cheeky and skillful. He is also a skillful tackler for relatively thin player(6'0" and 180 lbs.). Monro made a strong case for man of the match in the France game but his late substitution and Canada's subsequent collapse brought an end to those possibilities.
Victor Gresev - #8 Russia: Man of the match in the game vs. Italy, Gresev was a beast with ball in hand and had nearly 100 metres gained. Matched up against World XV #8 Sergio Parisse, Gresev was totally up to the challenge. As well Gresev was not a weak link in defence on a team mostly known for its attacking prowess.
Irakli Absudierize- #9 Georgia: The Georgian forwards are becoming a known quantity, especailly the way they pushed around England for parts of that contest, unfortunately the backs of Georgia have been dissapointing, however the link between them at scrum half has been fiesty and inspired. Brilliant box kicking, hard tackling and bruising runs from the Georgian scrum half have really impressed me, it's a shame the Lelos didn't have a better backline otherwise they would be scaring the crap out of Pool C.
Edit: I have plenty more but don't want to steal everyone's ideas!!! Please add some these guys need recognition and in many cases are looking for pro contracts.
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