Rugby Players to Watch in the End of Year Tours

David Rogers/Getty Images

There are always key players, whether it is a World Cup, Tri Nations, Six Nations, or End of Year campaign.

We take a look at some men who will look to make their presence known on the world stage, further cement reputations, or attempt to come back to the heights they have risen to before.

Jonny Wilkinson, England/Toulon

The England kingpin has been given a new lease of life at Toulon, with the adoration all beginning when over 5,000 locals came to watch the Top 14 side's first training run, most of whom were there to see the a man who is one of the greatest No. 10s the game has ever seen. 

While it was sad to see the World Cup winner wane from 2004, suffering a litany of injuries, the world record holder for test points has been his old self playing for Mourad Boudjellal’s French side, and his call up to England’s squad is the first time since the 2008 Six Nations he has been required. 

Some still grimace with his physical commitment to the game, especially on defence, but with a crippled England lurching into Twickenham, he will likely be Martin Johnson’s saviour in the coming weeks.

Digby Ioane, Australia/Queensland

The Wellington-born Ioane attended St. Joseph’s College in Brisbane, where after playing in the school's first XV and local side Sunnybank, went on to move through the Australian rugby system, playing for the school boys, Under 19’s, and Under 21’s teams.

While he was called into the Wallabies at the end of 2005, and played with the Western Force for two years following that, it was this year that he truly made his mark playing in his second year for the Queensland Reds.

Despite missing games through injury, Ioane finished the Super 14 season in the top three for line breaks, running metres and broken tackles.

His matches this tour will be his first since the Super 14 ended, but he is a genuine X-factor player that the Wallabies desperately need.

With none of the Australian three quarters—bar perhaps young James O’Connor earlier—making a mark in a average test season, Ioane’s scintillating and aggressive runs could be the tonic the Wallabies need.

Dan Carter, New Zealand/Canterbury

Cometh the man, cometh the hour! Carter is now back to full fitness, having recovered from his Perpignan-inflicted injury, and has made an instant impact to both Canterbury and the All Blacks in his brief time back.

In the next two years, the All Black standoff has the ability and opportunity to cement himself as being one of the most utmost players of all time, a judgment path that will end in late 2011, where it is quite simple—he must guide New Zealand to World Cup success to be feted as such.

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