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With just three weeks until the start of the NRC season, and with the premier rugby season wrapping up, it is time for us to start speculating who could be the next Rory Arnold (NRC alumni 2014) or Nick Cummins (ARC alumni 2007).
We are looking for who will graduate from the NRC and become the next big thing in Super Rugby.
We will examine some of the past graduates’ resumés and see what it takes be an NRC superstar, a solid Super Rugby debutant, and a potential Wallaby.
Backs
Sefanaia Naivalu: the Fijian moved to Australia in 2014 and was picked straight out of the Victorian Dewar Shield comp after helping Box Hill reach the grand final.
He went on to score five tries for the Rising, capping off an awesome year for the first Rebels player to land a full-time contract playing straight out of the Dewar Shield.
His good form continued in 2015, playing 13 straight games for the Rebels only for his season to be cut short because of injury.
Andrew Kellaway: with his weight listed at just 91 kilograms on the Waratahs website, Andrew showed us that speed and niftyness over brute force can still pay dividends in the age of pro rugby and the gymnasium.
Last year Andrew scored nine tries in seven games for the Eagles and went on to play for the Australian under 20s in Italy, beating Julian Savea and new teammate Zac Guildford’s record for most tries scored in the tournament’s history.
Forwards
Rory Arnold: having only played rugby for a few years, Arnold shows that with hard work and talent you can still play pro rugby without years of slugging it out in the academy systems. You just need the right pathway to Super Rugby. For Rory, this was playing for Combined Queensland and NSW Country against the Lions, then having a standout seasons for the Vikings in the 2014 NRC.
With all the right attributes for lifting and smashing other grown men, Rory has made his way into the Wallabies 2015 Rugby World Cup squad. Not a bad effort!
Lastly, let’s set out the criteria for a player to be on this NRC scout watch list.
Played a game of premier rugby/country rugby in 2015.
Not a fully contracted Super Rugby player (ETS players are OK).
So Roarers, who is going to be the next NRC superstar?
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.