Six T2 rugby players to watch this November Test window
It’s that time of the year again when the leaves turn brown, the days are shorter, and the rugby ball is thrown around between nations. As in every year, November is an intense month for all, especially for the Tier 2 nations, who hope to steal a bit of attention from the eyes of the rugby fan.
With that in mind, let us suggest six T2 internationals that you should focus your gaze on!
Simão BentoPortugal – Outside back – 23 years oldThe Lobos are heavily packed in the backs department with the likes of Raffaele Storti, Rodrigo Marta, Manuel C. Pinto, Nuno Sousa Guedes, Tomás Appleton, Hugo Aubry, among others. But with Marta, Guedes and Pinto out of action, it rests on Storti and Bento’s shoulders to set the world alight.
Bento, who put up a sensational show against the Springboks back in July, will oversee the fullback duties, guiding the Portuguese team’s counter-offensive strategy and putting them over the line. In his last five outings for Portugal, Simão Bento averaged two line-breaks per game, constantly causing trouble for the opposition.
Referee Karl Dickson explains the 20-min red card system that is in place during the Autumn Nations Series.
Referee Karl Dickson explains the 20-min red card system that is in place during the Autumn Nations Series.
The Stade Montois outside back will be a threat on the loose, deserving your full attention this November.
Kitione SalawaFiji – Loose Forward – 23 years oldRemember the name: Kitione Salawa. For those who have been following Fiji in 2024, Salawa isn’t a stranger as the openside flanker made quite an impact in the Pacific Nations Cup, scoring three tries, making thirty-five tackles and three turnovers, in what was a standout couple of performances.
Fiji’s Kitione Salawa (C) avoids a tackle from Samoa’s Melani Matavao during the World Rugby Pacific Challenge 2024 match between Fiji and Samoa at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva on August 23, 2024. (Photo by LEON LORD / AFP) (Photo by LEON LORD/AFP via Getty Images)With Levani Botia approaching the end of his stellar Test match career, Kitione Salawa has all the qualities to be the next in line and deserves the chance to ascend as a powerhouse in the international scene.
For those who are still sceptical about Salawa, you have in him another excuse to miss brunch and watch Fiji play this Autumn.
Joel MerklerSpain – tighthead prop – 23 years oldTwo years after his last game for Spain, Joel Merkler is back to play for his country and is better than ever, as the prop has become a valuable player on the blockbuster Stade Toulousain’s side. Merkler is a force of nature, a formidable scrummager who relishes the set-piece contest and is a unique enforcer.
Leinster Rugby’s Robbie Henshaw (left) and Caelan Doris (right) tackle Stade Toulousain’s Joel Merkler (centre) during the Investec Champions Cup Final match between Leinster Rugby and Stade Toulousain at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on May 25, 2024 in London, England.(Photo by Andrew Kearns – CameraSport via Getty Images)Merkler battled his way to the top and he is currently one of the best Tier 2 props in the World – this November is the perfect time to start his dominance on a global scale.
So, if you are a lover of big props and hard-as-nails scrummagers, Joel Merkler is the one for you.
Baltazar Amaya Uruguay – utility back – 25 years oldLos Teros head for Europe missing some of their top stars, but there won’t be a shortage of magic as the likes of Baltazar Amaya will be on the team sheet.
Amaya, who dotted down three tries in the 2023 Men’s Rugby World Cup, is a spectacular ball carrier who can cast a spell and lull incoming tacklers into a false sense of security before breaking their tackle and pushing his team closer to the try line.
With six tries and eleven caps, Amaya offers a range of options to Uruguay that few can and is a certified Test match superstar in the making.
Tornike JalagoniaGeorgia – No.8 – 25 years-oldYou were expecting Davit Niniashvili, weren’t you? Sorry but this shortlist had to wrap up with a number-eight and there’s no one in better form than the Lelo Tornike Jalagonia. With Beka Gorgadze recovering from a minor injury, Jalagonia will take this as an opportunity to show he can be a shining light at the back of the scrum.
Jalagonia’s season for Provence started spectacularly, ranking as the second-best tackler of the Pro D2 (100 tackle attempts and a 98 per cent completion rate).
His daunting physicality combined with a resilient mindset makes him one of the toughest enforcers from the Tier 2 universe, and that’s the best calling card to give 80 minutes of your time to watch him rock for the Lelos.
Watch the highly acclaimed five-part documentary Chasing the Sun 2, chronicling the journey of the Springboks as they strive to successfully defend the Rugby World Cup, free on RugbyPass TV (*unavailable in Africa)
