Julian Savea (New Zealand)
With 29 tries in 30 Tests for the All Blacks, the 24-year-old has a more prolific strike rate than any other leading winger in history. At this rate he will overcome Jonah Lomu’s haul of 37 tries in 63 Tests sooner rather than later; the All Black coach, Steve Hansen, already believes he is a deadlier attacking threat than big Jonah was.
Kieran Read (New Zealand)
Fatigue is not the only reason why New Zealand won the third Test against England so comfortably in June. Jerome Kaino is a fine player but Read’s return at No8 in Hamilton gave the All Blacks a different dimension. Check out the outrageous try-creating offload he threw against the US Eagles in Chicago; Read is currently at the peak of his powers.
Handré Pollard (South Africa)
Pollard was captaining South Africa’s Under-20 side in June but has made a startling transition to the senior Springbok team, giving them a more balanced look than they had with Morne Steyn at 10. He scored two tries and kicked nine further points in his side’s morale-boosting 27-25 win over New Zealand in Johannesburg, which ended the All Blacks’ 22-match unbeaten run dating back almost two years.
Duane Vermeulen (South Africa)
If Pollard and Willie Le Roux have added width and subtlety to the South African game, Vermeulen is straight from traditional Springbok central casting. Strong and direct, it took him a while to catch the eye of the international selectors but since his debut in 2012 he has become an increasingly influential back-row figure. If Ireland and England wish to stop the Springboks over the next fortnight, they will collect plenty of bruises in the process.
Tevita Kuridrani (Australia)
England are about to unleash their own Fijian-born flier in Semesa Rokoduguni, while the Wallabies are excited about their hirsute new winger Henry Speight. Currently the most threatening Fijian export of all, however, is the 23-year-old Kuridrani, outstanding for Australia in their recent narrow defeat to New Zealand. With Christian Leali’ifano alongside him, the Wallabies may just have unearthed an outstanding midfield pairing with the World Cup looming next year. One of Kuridrani’s cousins is the former Australian wing Lote Tuqiri.
