10 Star Names to Look out for at the 2015 Rugby Championship

Less than a fortnight remains until the 2015 Rugby Championship signals the beginning of rugby's jam-packed international summer and the elite of the southern hemisphere make their returns to the Test arena.

Bringing four of the sport's finest back together, New Zealand are looking to fend off the challenges of South Africa, Australia and Argentina in their bid to claim a fourth successive title and tie their record achieved between 2005 and 2008.

With such a generous offering of superstar talent on display, we've picked out a selection of 10 top names to watch out for in this year's competition for a variety of reasons.

For the sake of balance, each nation is represented in our compilation as every outfit undoubtedly boasts players worthy of one's attention, although some might be eyeing up bigger prospects than others.

1. Schalk Burger, South Africa

What a welcome sight it should be to see Stormers veteran Schalk Burger return to the Rugby World Cup stage later this year, having literally battled from death's door back to the peak of international rugby.

The 2007 World Cup winner experienced complications with a cyst near his spine in 2013 before contracting bacterial meningitis, which led to the expectation Burger could well die, per South African newspaper Business Day (via the Independent's Nick Said):

"

I was seriously ill and battling for my life. On about the third day in hospital my wife phoned my family and closest friends and told them to come and say goodbye because I was on my way out. I was conscious of it. But I was literally just fighting from heartbeat to heartbeat. And every heartbeat felt like a knife stabbing in my brain.

At times I felt like just stopping, but I could literally feel myself then slipping and would have to fight again. I saw it as a fight that I had to win. At that stage there was a lot of confusion, and I think a lot of my motivation was driven by anger. I was also newly married and my eldest son was six months old, so that gives you added motivation to fight and battle through.

"

If there were any doubt as to the steely character Burger possesses both on and off the pitch, that brush with mortality has certainly banished it, with the Stormers flanker looking as determined as ever.

Burger returned to Heyneke Meyer's squad for the 2014 summer internationals and South Africa's November series, but the Rugby Championship will be his first tournament test in four years.

It's almost certain this year's competition will be Burger's last chance to compete at the Rugby World Cup, but after rediscovering his fierce quality during the Stormers' play-off run, he'll be eager to dazzle in the Rugby Championship.

2. Matt Giteau, Australia

BBC Sport confirmed this week that Toulon stars Matt Giteau and Drew Mitchell had succeeded in making their returns to the Wallabies, but the former brings a particular buzz to Michael Cheika's side.

In being selected, both can make history in becoming the first-ever player(s) to represent Australia while based overseas, taking advantage of the ARU's relaxed selection policy announced earlier in 2015.

It promises to strengthen the Wallabies' pool of resources, and ex-Wales international Scott Quinnell was quick to voice his concern as his former side prepare to face Australia in their World Cup pool later this year.

But first comes the challenge of a Rugby Championship, which in many ways will serve as the ideal high-intensity yet relatively low-risk barometer with which to test both Giteau and Mitchell.

While Quade Cooper and Bernard Foley are talismanic talents in their own regard for the Reds and Waratahs, respectively, Giteau emits a safer, more reliable presence at fly-half while bringing cover at centre, too.

At least Toulon would be inclined to agree after the Australian aided in bringing the Top 14 mega-club three successive European titles, and the southern hemisphere should be glad to see his return.

3. Beauden Barrett, New Zealand

If we're to look at Super Rugby as the scale by which we measure the biggest talents in the southern hemisphere, then Hurricanes mastermind Beauden Barrett assuredly sits as one of its most exciting players.

The hints were there in 2014 as to just what a leading figure the New Zealand fly-half could be, but with Aaron Cruden now sidelined with a knee injury, the All Blacks' No. 10 jersey is his to lose.

Dan Carter is on his way out of Test rugby, but after taking the Hurricanes to their first Super Rugby final since 2006 this year, Barrett has shown he could be New Zealand's puppeteer for years to come.

Rugby writer Marc Hinton even goes so far as to dub the 24-year-old "the best No. 10 in the game," and it's difficult to come up with many who can indeed offer competition based on current form.

Barrett's rounded offering of kicking and the more rudimentary fly-half responsibilities spliced with quick carrying and sensational pitch awareness make him worthy of added attention.

4. Juan Martin Hernandez, Argentina

After playing the full 80 minutes of Argentina's historic 21-17 win over Australia in last year's Rugby Championship—their first in the tournament—Juan Martin Hernandez is once more looking to work wonders in 2015.

"El Mago" is nicknamed the magician for a reason, and Pumas coach Daniel Hourcade will undoubtedly be hoping to coax one a few more dazzling displays out of his dynamic back-line maestro before the year is out.

Whether it's from centre or fly-half, Hernandez's presence in the Argentinian side simply gives them a greater sheen, one of the squad's genuinely world-class stars capable of standing up to the competition on hand.

With his Toulon contract expired, it seems as though Argentina fans may get to see more of the playmaker with UAR in next year's Super Rugby campaign. But first things first—it's time to build on 2014's win over the Wallabies, and Hernandez is in the frame to lead the Pumas on to more consistent Rugby Championship results.

5. Eben Etzebeth, South Africa

Regardless of national allegiance or origins, it's always pleasing to see a prodigal talent fulfilling their potential, which is precisely the case for South Africa lock Eben Etzebeth.

Long tipped as a future talisman for the Springboks, the 2013 World Player of the Year nominee heads into the Rugby Championship as one of Meyer's more seasoned forwards, despite still being just 23 years of age.

The youngster will be needed, too, after the Boks coach admitted his side are short in the lock department following Bakkies Botha's retirement and Flip van der Merwe's withdrawal from international rugby, per Reuters (via the Guardian):

"

Flip is not available for international rugby at the moment. It is a big setback as I’ve always rated him and he is an enforcer. You need an enforcer for international rugby and he can play at [number] five as well. He would be in this squad but unfortunately he isn’t available.”

Eben [Etzebeth] is recovering from injury, Pieter-Steph [du Toit] is injured and Victor [Matfield] has been out with a knee injury, so if there is one position I’m worried about, that is it. There are one or two loose-forwards that can play lock but you need specialists there. Lood [de Jager] is also injured, so if I had to pick a side today we’d be in trouble with locks.

"

Victor Matfield is as experienced as they come, but the 38-year-old will be looking to Etzebeth, a 6'8" physical terror, to do most of the running—and no arms need be twisted to encourage him in the hitting department.

Etzebeth's talent is plain for all to see, but after watching the attached video, one can only hope his focus remains with rugby and not with any delusions of making it to Hollywood in the near or distant future.

6. Ma'a Nonu, New Zealand

This year will see several key members of New Zealand's old guard make their last contributions in an All Blacks jersey, but none of those departing currently bring as much to the team as Ma'a Nonu.

That's not to say the exits of Richie McCaw, Dan Carter, Conrad Smith or Keven Mealamu are any less significant, merely that Nonu has somehow conjured up a vintage campaign at just the right time.

Upon leaving the Blues to make his Hurricanes return for 2015, there was some debate as to what version of Nonu we would see. A season later and Rugby World's Paul Williams agrees it's been one of his best. 

It's not just the usual barnstorming runs and tackle-busting from the centre either but some of the much more finer details Nonu hasn't always been appreciated for, his timing of run and passing in particular.

The Toulon-bound 33-year-old is another of those heading for what should be his last summer of international rugby; the Rugby Championship is where he'll be looking to begin his rampage.

7. David Pocock, Australia

Sound the alarms, alert ball-carriers across the southern hemisphere: David Pocock is fully fit and back on the prowl to steal any and all possession his opponents are foolish enough to give him a chance at.

The Brumbies back-rower will make his return to the Wallabies lineup after more than two-and-a-half years out of Test rugby, undergoing two knee reconstructions since the start of 2013.

But his form throughout 2015 wouldn't suggest he'd suffered so much as a scuffed elbow in his career, pilfering the pockets of Super Rugby sides across the southern hemisphere, scoring two hat-tricks in the process.

He and Michael Hooper have the potential to feature as part of a back row makeup that would look terrifying at the breakdown, with Charlie Morgan of Rugby World providing a glimpse of Pocock in his natural habitat.

The rugby community in general should be overjoyed to see such a talent complete his return to the top—everyone except his opponents, that is.

8. Santiago Cordero, Argentina

Admittedly far from being an established "star" compared to the other names on this list, Argentina winger Santiago Cordero is well on his way to joining those ranks in the years to come.

With Pumas dynamo Manuel Montero out of the Rugby Championship and the Rugby World Cup, Daniel Hourcade needs another wonderkid capable of marvels on the flank, and Cordero could be that very gem.

If preferred to the likes of Juan Imhoff and Gonzalo Camacho, the 21-year-old has his chance to do as Montero did last year and stun some of the best teams on the planet. Ample motivation, one would agree.

Cordero is one of those talents signed up to UAR's cause in time for their maiden Super Rugby season next year, but 2015 may yet bring about the springboard for his Test career, having earned nine caps already.

9. Sam Whitelock, New Zealand

Earning 62 caps for your country is a substantial feat in rugby, while doing so by the age of 26 justifies massive commendation. But earning 62 caps for New Zealand by the age of 26 is a nigh unbelievable accomplishment.

It speaks volumes of Sam Whitelock's prolific powers at the elite level, regarded for some time now as one of the best locks in the world, if not the best right now if one were to examine his consistency over the past five years.

It's Hansen's back-line selection that makes New Zealand the indomitable force they are, but possessing a lock of Whitelock's pedigree, one of the most imperious line-out technicians around, brings its own substantial benefits.

Only eight players in New Zealand's 41-man squad boast more caps than the second-rower, who effectively acts as a second No. 8 for great stretches, and a superbly talented one at that (see above video).

The Crusaders and the All Blacks will be content knowing they have the lock's loyalties signed and sealed until 2017, too, with Whitelock having penned a four-year extension in 2013. 

10. Israel Folau, Australia

There aren't many hotter properties in rugby union right now than Israel Folau, and the Australian Rugby Union were recently overjoyed to announce the full-back's three-year contract extension.

It was demonstrated just how much the Waratahs value their talisman after Folau was rewarded with a $2 million-per-year deal, per Georgina Robinson of the Sydney Morning Herald, making him Australia's best-paid player.

Some will feel it justified, however, as the last couple of seasons have witnessed the birth of a rugby marvel, and Folau's swashbuckling runs from backfield have 'Tahs hopes aloft for the future.

So far, Folau's talent alone, even when translated to the international forum, hasn't been enough to bring the Wallabies any great success.

However, under Cheika's watch for the first time in a Rugby Championship, the 26-year-old can hope for a more productive run at silverware this year, a great chunk of Australian fortunes riding on his input.