Players to watch from minnows at RWC

The contenders aside, we look at some of the players from the other minnow nations who could capture the imagination of the fans at the Rugby World Cup 2011.

Yuriy Kushnarev (Russia)

Russia eschew the rugby stereotype of the big imposing eastern European packs and have adopted a positive expansive game plan.

Vital to this is pivot Kushnarev. The Bears have some explosive wide players like Vasily Artemyev and Denis Simplikevich and Kushnarev’s strong distributing skills make him vital to this game plan working.

A proficient goal-kicker also, with the right coach, he is a Heineken Cup standard player.

Viliame Iongi (Tonga):

Iongi has come out of nowhere this summer to star for the ‘Ikale Tahi’ in both, the Churchill Cup and the Pacific Nations Cup.

The back three player is a small, explosive outside back, who has given them a real finishing quality out wide.

Ovidiu Tonita (Romania):

The 6’5″ back rower is probably the one top-class player Romania still possess, alongside possibly Marius Tincu.

A dynamic backrower, his ball-carrying and destructive defending will be relied upon heavily as Romania seek to cause Scotland troubles and maybe pull one over Georgia.

Jacques Burger (Namibia):

The Namibian captain is one of the toughest back rowers plying their trade in rugby.

With a chin and head seemingly made of concrete, he will continually put his body on the line for his nation, who are probably the weakest team in the competition.

Chauncey O’Toole (Canada):

Another player whose reputation was enhanced after a big showing at the Churchill Cup.

The man who comfortably sits in top five names in the World Cup, impressed so much at the tournament in England that he has won himself a contract at the Ospreys in Wales.

A good footballing openside, his high motor and apparent ability to be wherever the ball was, makes him someone who will be hard to miss.

Taisana Tuifua (Samoa):

The Counties Manukau player who will join Newcastle Falcons after the tournament is one of those tweeners, capable of playing in both, the back row and second row.

His abrasive style of play and ability to provide a third line-out option have offered plenty to this Samoan side which will be realistically aiming for the quarter-finals.

Chris Wyles (USA):

Takudzwa Ngwenya will be the obvious man to watch, after his exploits at the last World Cup but Saracens player Wyles might just be the more important player.

A good player who does his all his jobs at a high level, will provide the steadying influence in the back three to the electric Ngwenya.

Mamukha Gorgodze (Georgia):

The giant Georgian lock cum second row is one of the most intimidating forwards in European rugby.

With a short fuse and long muscly arms, ready to get into windmill action, Gorgodze will provide an already ferocious pack, with more grit and fire.

The foreign player of the year in France’s Top 14 helped Montpellier make a surprise contestant in the final of the competition and it will be interesting to see how he does against some of the best players on the rugby’s grandest stage.

Alisi Tupuailei (Japan):

Japan have had a big year, winning their first ever Pacific Nations Cup. They face a very tough group with runaway favourites New Zealand and France.

Samoan born centre, Tupuailei will hope to provide ballast and power to the well-structured and disciplined Brave Blossoms that they might hold their own against the two favourites and pick up two wins against Tonga and Canada.

Albert Vulivuli (Fiji):

The Racing Metro centre has been one of the finds of the season in Europe. He arrived in Europe with Bourgoin but quickly made his way to Paris where he has really shined.

A strong, quick and explosive centre, he will make up for the losses of Naqelevuki, Rabeni and Ratuvou and maybe more.