The rising stars of Super Rugby Pacific 2023

2023 is all about the Rugby World Cup, naturally. National coaching teams are focusing all their energy on managing player loads, fitness and the mental health of those players already penciled into their national line-ups.

This means big names will be absent for parts of the Super Rugby Pacific competition, giving rising stars the chance to solidify themselves as great Super-tier players.

For the Australian teams 2022 was an immense improvement on the horror trans-Tasman competition in 2021, with results significantly improved across the five franchises (except for the Reds).

2023 provides a new challenge: to consolidate the momentum from 2022 and improve on it with an emphasis on depth and team chemistry.

The re-introduction of the Australia-A program illustrates Australia is again concentrating on building genuine international depth.

Fringe players, possible Wallaby bolters and Super Rugby stalwarts got their opportunity to show they could go to the next level against the pacific teams and Japan. Results varied but overall, the players and the team moved forward. The program was a success.

Super Rugby Pacific is only weeks away; soon you can fly your team’s flag and settle in for the first fully integrated Super competition since before the pandemic.

Without further ado, below is a list of players who Australians should keep a close eye on in 2023. The criteria for the list is that they are looking to build on a solid 2022 SRP season and will be in a position to have significant influence on the their team.

Brad Wilkin – openside flanker (Melbourne Rebels)

The 27-year-old had a very good 2022 season, mostly uninterrupted from injuries which hampered his growth in previous years.

For the Rebels he was a tackling machine and breakdown workhorse. He played a very traditional openside flanker role, always sniffing around for a pilfer and when unsuccessful, he denied oppositions quick ball.

This year he is without backrow partner and former captain Michael Wells. Wilkin will need to stand-tall and be the rock in a relatively undermanned Rebels forward pack that will be without Wallabies Rob Leota and Matt Phillip for a portion of the regular season.

Despite a strong Australia-A showing, Wilkin has no real prospects of cracking the Wallabies in 2023. He sits behind incumbents Michael Hooper, Pete Samu, Fraser McReight and is vying for a possible spot against a swathe of other talented backrow up-and-comers.

Tom Hooper – blindside flanker (ACT Brumbies)

Hooper emulates the staunch, industrious Brumbies’ mentality of getting the detail right. At 21, he is a solid unit with time to grow physically. Another pre-season down and more opportunities against quality opposition will see this young Brumby thrive.

His speed and athleticism around the field reminds of young Michael Hooper. Hooper has tough competition in Jerome Brown, Samu and Rob Valetini, but with the latter two likely sitting some games out, Hooper has the chance to elevate and put his best foot forward.

Jackson Pugh and Tim Anstee – backrow (Western Force)

Pugh and Anstee are beneficiaries of the Australia-A program with both players playing an abrasive and athletic style of rugby.

Each will need to step-up in a very young Force forward pack. Neither are set for a Wallabies call up this season, but both have vital roles if the Force’s fortunes are to improve in 2023. Both players will be eyeing the 2025 British and Irish Lions tour of Australia.

Tim Anstee. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Carter Gordon – five-eighth (Melbourne Rebels)

Gordon is the young-gun playmaker flying under the radar. His like-aged peers in Waratah’s duo Ben Donaldson and Tane Edmed, Noah Lolesio and Reesjan Pasitoa have all been in the spotlight while Gordon has been building silently in the background.

An understudy to regular Wallaby Matt To’omua, Gordon must fill his predecessor’s shoes and bring an old-head to his youthful game.

Gordon has genuine pace, a solid boot and good variability. If the understrength forward pack can get Gordon clean ball, he will be able to use the electrifying and deadly players outside him.

Wallabies Andrew Kellaway and Reece Hodge will be his eyes and ears, Gordon must execute. He can do it.

(Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

Issak Fines-Leleiwasa – halfback (Western Force)

The zippy halfback from the west is a possible Wallabies bolter. Jake Gordon failed to stamp his name on the 21 jersey. His form was up-and-down and his discipline was poor.

Meanwhile, Tate McDermott is a unique player who with another year of sharpening his core skills will be deadly come international time.

Fines-Leleiwase is a livewire, his time at the Brumbies imbued his natural flair with disciplined precision leading to a deadly halfback who can also cover wing.

This versatility may lend itself to the Wallabies who have at times utilised a 6-2 split-bench and may very well do so again when facing physical teams in the RWC.

These players will be forced to step up in 2023 to guide their teams, set the bar in regard to performance and inspire their teammates.

All five Australian teams are looking to improve on their 2022 results, with more visibility and buzz around rugby than there has been for a long time, 2023 is a grand opportunity for these players and their teams to go to another level.