Rugby World Cup 2015: Every Top Team’s Most Valuable Player

Almost every team has that one exceptional player that is used as the building blocks of the team as a whole.

Certain inspirational athletes tend to dictate the way a team operates through leadership and attitude and displays of incredible skills.

Yes, a single piston doesn’t drive a car, but these exceptional players are often the glue that holds the hopes of the team together.

With the World Cup in England just weeks away, rugby fans everywhere will be praying that these athletes stay as fit and sound as possible in for the coming tournament:

By Maverick Miles – Lead Rugby Writer

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South Africa: Duane Vermeulen

The Bullocking South African No. 8 was unlucky not to take away the 2014 IRB player of the year. Without his leadership and smart play the Springbok have not looked their usual selves in 2015, falling as low as 4th in world rankings. Schalk Burger doing his best to replicate the style and form of the young bull, but it seems near enough is not good enough, with the Boks suffering a historic loss to the Pumas at home. All reports seem to say that Duane will be back to his unsettling peak fitness in time for the World Cup hit-outs. With the leading African nation clear favourites in their pool, Heyneke Meyer will likely ease Vermuelen into the fray and hope that he can stay fit. Rugby fans everywhere will be very disappointed (but some relieved) if Duane doesn’t get an opportunity to shine on the biggest stage of all.

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Australia: Israel Folau

There is no doubt Isreal Folau is possibly the most exciting and dangerous attacking players in world rugby. Folau’s years in the NRL and AFL developed his incredible skills with ball in hand and unnatural ability to draw and beat defenders. The dazzling ex-NRL star and green and gold prodigy played in every minute of the Waratahs’ Super Rugby season this year and will be rested for the first time in the USA match. Before the appearance of Izzy, the wobbly Wallabies’ biggest weakness was the high ball to their exposed back 3, which often resulted in a fumble or even a non-attempt – to the embarrassment of Australians everywhere. Now it only seems foolish to fruitlessly kick the ball into the safe and steady hands of the most dangerous player around.

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Argentina: Augustin Creevy

The Argentine hooker has cemented his place as captain of the Pumas, leading from the front with a hard nosed resolve. Creevy, alongside veteran Marcos Ayerza and Ramiro Herrera, is the cornerstone of a much-admired Argentine scrum. His phenomenal workrate, physicality and leadership will be key in the lead South American side’s push to progress past the pool stages and cause an upset in the knockouts.

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Fiji: Nemani Nadolo

The Nudgee College prodigy and Waratahs exile has been killing it on the wing for the Canterbury Crusaders. The 125kg monster Fijian has shown fans that not only can he play the blunt powerful buster, but he also showcases a subtle pair of hands and an accurate boot. Nadolo’s sledgehammer and rapier style will be Fiji’s biggest weapon working towards some upset wins.

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USA: Samu Manoa

Very few countries outside of the top 10 ranked nations boast players that could easily walk into most other test sides in the world. USA’s Manoa is one of those. The giant Northampton turned Toulon lock is capable of playing in the back row and has plied his trade in the AVIVA Premiership, showcasing bone-jarring defense and incredible physicality with the ball.

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New Zealand: Aaron Smith

In an iron clad All Black side brimming with talent it is difficult to single out players that are really integral to the team. But given some thought there is only one. Over the last two test and Super Rugby seasons Aaron Smith has rocketed straight to the top of the list of international scrum halves. The sparky little no.9 has brilliant service off the ruck and knows exactly when to zip down the side. Defensively Smith is a terrier at the breakdown, snapping at any insecure ball, forcing very opportune turnovers. Smith’s organizational skills and quick, instinctive running play will likely be the most important commodity for the Antipodeans come the knockout stages.

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Samoa: Tim Nanai-Williams

The Talented Waikato outside back has opted to play for Samoa rather than wait in the log-jam of incredible All Black wingers and fullbacks. Nanai-Williams is a safe pair of hands and a level sharp attacking head that Manu-Samoa have somewhat lacked in the past. Samoan rugby, much like the other Pacific nations, is very reliant on enormous physical packs and aggressive backline play. Nanai-Williams’ ability to read attacking opportunities and direct the Samoan fast men will be important for their charge, as well as complementing the abrasive styles of players such as Alesana Tuilagi. Expect to see plenty of ankle breakers and defenders left without a clue.

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England: ??

In a fairly incomplete squad this is the most difficult to pick. Most starting positions have not been nailed down as yet. Chris Robshaw’s leadership is likely to play a large part in the Red Roses’ jousts in ‘the Pool of death’ following the rather immature displays of New Zealand 2011. The same could be said of Mike Brown’s experienced backline nous and assertive ability to clear the ball and force errors from the opposition. Brown’s tactical play fits right in to the traditional English game plans of ‘The Grind’ with solid defence, smart placement kicks and a beefy forward pack harrying the defensive ruck.

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Ireland: Paul O’Connell

It would be a fair insult to say that tall Paul wasn’t the gritty heart of the current Irish test side. After a rather incredible career with Munster, Ireland and the British & Irish Lions (and a fair bit of hair loss) POC will retire from test rugby after the World Cup. O’Connell is in the class of rugby’s old style toughest hard men with the like of Brad Thorn, Buck Shelford and Willie-O. It is not hard to imagine that Paul’s retirement will be a clear motivation for the Irish side, while leadership and grit will be vitally important to the success of the Irish as they try to claim their first World Cup. Win or lose, at the end of the Wold Cup tall Paul can hang up his boots and say: “Played hard. Done Good”.