Getting your shot in the first-team is part of the ongoing battle for many rugby hopefuls, but in 2017 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 Curwin Bosch (Sharks): A prodigious talent who is equally impressive at fly-half and has shifted between the two positions successfully for the Sharks in 2017. Although he has played mostly in the latter position for the Sharks, Bosch shone at full-back for South Africa at World Rugby's U20 Championship in Georgia earlier this year. A brilliant athlete with superb skills, Bosch showed this year that he is also a fine goal-kicker and one of the better kickers out of hand in the South African game, while his ability to land drop-goals is something which few players in the game can do. A special talent.
14 Marika Koroibete (Rebels): The rugby league convert has made a successful transition to the 15-man code and finished the year as the Wallabies' first-choice right wing after a string of impressive performances for club and country. After coming over from the NRL in 2016, Koroibete went on the Wallabies' end-of-year tour and only played in a midweek game. 12 months later, things were very different as his superb finishing made him a regular starter for the Wallabies and he will be hoping to build on his fine form in 2018.
13 Vince Aso (Hurricanes): After biding his time for several seasons as All Blacks great Conrad Smith's understudy, Aso made his Super Rugby debut for the Hurricanes in 2016. Although he did not set the world alight last year, 2017 has been a different year altogether as he exploded onto the scene and crossed the whitewash on 14 occasions, one less than his midfield partner Ngani Laumape, who was the tournament's top try-scorer. Aso, who can also play on the wing, has plenty of speed and superb ball skills but is also an adept defender who is solid on defence.
12 Ngani Laumape (Hurricanes): Arguably the most dynamic player with ball in hand at Super Rugby level in 2017. Laumape's partnership with Aso wreaked havoc against opposition defences and his 15 tries was no mean feat as it put him at the top of Super Rugby's try-scoring charts ahead of proven try-scorers like James Lowe, Rieko Ioane, Courtnall Skosan, Waisake Naholo and Cheslin Kolbe. Laumape is an abrasive player who enjoys the physical nature of the game and was rewarded with an All Blacks debut in the second Test against the British and Irish Lions. Since then, he has made four further Test appearances and scored two tries.
11 Jacob Stockdale (Ulster): The 21-year-old is one of the up-and-coming stars of the Irish game and since making his debut for Ulster last year, he has become a regular in their run-on side. That is some achievement as Ulster also have more experienced wingers like Craig Gilroy, Tommy Bowe and Andrew Trimble in their ranks but a string of impressive performances from Stockdale makes it difficult for Ulster boss Les Kiss not to start him. A strong runner, who crosses the gainline at will, Stockdale made his Test debut against the USA in June and has impressed at the highest level since then scoring four tries in as many Tests so far.
10 Marcus Smith (Harlequins): The 18-year-old has come on in leaps and bounds since making his debut earlier this year. He has been thrown into the deep end at Harlequins after their first-choice fly-half, Demetri Catrakilis, suffered a serious injury at the start of the 2017/18 season but Smith has performed admirably and his showings as Quins' chief playmaker have caught the attention of England coach Eddie Jones who called him up to an England training camp in September. Smith possesses a vast array of skills, has a good head on his shoulders and has shown gradual improvement as the season progressed. He is far from the finished article but has shown that he can hold his own at club level and it is only a matter of time before he makes the step up to the Test arena.
9 Arthur Retiere (La Rochelle): One of a crop of gifted young scrum-halves currently making waves on the French scene, along with Baptiste Serin and Antoine Dupont, although unlike the other two, Retiere is yet to represent France in the international arena. He has impressed for his country on World Rugby's Sevens circuit as well as at U20 level, however, and played a leading role in helping La Rochelle become one of the Top 14's leading teams. The 20-year-old possesses plenty of pace and has a crisp, sharp passing game.
8 Juarno Augustus (Stormers): Perhaps the player on the list to have the least impact at senior level so far, but the back-row deserves his spot after a wonderful World Rugby U20 Championship. While there is plenty of hype over Damian Willemse, Bosch and Zain Davids, Augustus was the Baby Boks’ most consistent player in June’s tournament. He deservedly received the award for Junior Player of the Year and the Stormers will expect him to make an impact in the 2018 Super Rugby season.
7 Tom and Ben Curry (Sale Sharks): Another of England’s class of 2017 at age-grade level, the Curry brothers look set to dominate for years to come. Having remarkably made their Premiership debuts for Sale Sharks as 18-year-olds, they have continued to improve. While they are slightly different players, with Tom the better counter-rucker and Ben more prominent over the ball, it seems remiss to not have them both in. The former has already made his mark at Test level, starting against Argentina in June before unfortunately missing out in November because of a dislocated wrist, but also expect the latter to push for a place given his outstanding recent form.
6 Zach Mercer (Bath): Mercer garnered attention towards the end of 2016 after breaking into the Bath first team but it is in 2017 where the back-row truly came to prominence. He excelled in the World Rugby U20 Championship in Georgia before taking that form onto Bath, where he has mostly played as a flanker. However, with Taulupe Faletau potentially out of action for four months, Mercer may be required at number eight and, should the 20-year-old once again display his qualities, do not be surprised if he pushes for a Six Nations spot.
5 Lukhan Tui (Reds): A breakthrough year for Tui after he impressed in Super Rugby for the Reds before making the Australian squad for the Rugby Championship. He debuted for the Wallabies in South Africa and looked comfortable, often dominating in contact via his 6ft5, 19st 5lb frame. Injury curtailed his progress in the end-of-year internationals and his physicality was missed when Michael Cheika’s men went down to England in November.
4 Nick Isiekwe (Saracens): Like the Currys he is still eligible for England’s U20 side, but his value to both Eddie Jones and Saracens may see him miss out on age-grade selection this season. That in itself shows how highly the lock is rated and, with Sarries missing Maro Itoje until January, the 19-year-old has become even more important to their cause. Isiekwe made his Test debut in Argentina and played a crucial role in Denny Solomona’s last-minute try, winning a lineout and then showing excellent hands to help send Piers Francis free.
3 Leon Brown (Dragons): Had a baptism of fire by making his first Wales start against Georgia and struggled against their powerful set-piece, but it has been an excellent year for the tighthead. Irrespective of that game, the 21-year-old is a promising scrummager and is superb in the loose, using his 19st 2lb frame to superb effect. Has been a regular in the Dragons team and Brown will hope that their impressive recruitment continues to underpin his personal ambitions.
2 Asafo Aumua (Hurricanes): Arguably the standout youngster in world rugby, Aumua is quite simply a staggering talent. He may have shocked with his all-round athleticism and physicality but the hooker also excels in the basics of the game. Usually, one fails to accompany the other but not the New Zealand U20 front-rower, who is a strong scrummager and pinpoint lineout thrower. He bullied England in the age-grade final in June and it will not be a surprise if the 20-year-old becomes a regular starter at Super Rugby and international level.
1 Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers): The oldest of the forwards but, while the 22-year-old has been well known to those in English rugby for a while, it is only in 2017 where the former Bristol man has shown his qualities on a grander stage. Despite having the odd off-day at the set-piece, particularly against Argentina in the mid-year Tests, he has been exceptional in the loose. His performance against Castres in the Champions Cup was especially destructive and, with Joe Marler and Mako Vunipola already top-level players, Genge only adds to Eddie Jones’ options.
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