8 Tier Two stars to watch at RWC 2015

With the World Cup a little over a week away, here are eight players to watch out for from the Tier Two nations taking part in this year’s tournament in England.

Chrysander Botha (Namibia, Full-Back)

Having signed for Exeter last summer, the flying full-back sadly missed virtually the whole Premiership season after breaking his leg. He will as a result be raring to get involved in his second World Cup. He made his tournament debut with a try-scoring performance in 2011 and has been a mainstay in the Namibian side since. The full back possess powerful acceleration, wonderful feet and great vision. Facing the All Blacks in Pool C will be a career highlight.

Leone Nakarawa (Fiji, Lock)

The Fijian second-row was in scintillating form for the Glasgow Warriors as they stormed to a first Guinness Pro12 title with a Man of the Match performance in the win over Munster in the Final in Belfast. Nakarawa continued his impressive form for Fiji in the Pacific Nations Cup with barn-storming runs and incredible NBA-style offloads as Fiji retained the Pacific Nations title. In a Fijian side packed with talent, watch out for Nakarawa in Pool A.

Felipe Berchesi (Uruguay, Fly-Half)

One of the few professionals in a virtually all-amateur team, Berchesi will pull the strings for Uruguay in Pool A. The US Carcassone player has featured at every age grade level for Uruguay and will link up with best-friend and scrum-half Agustin Ormaechea, who has also played for the national sevens team. The fly-half has a huge boot and is able to knock over penalties from almost anywhere within the opposition half. Berchesi’s kicking and distribution will be crucial if Uruguay are to have any remote designs on putting up a fight in a tough pool.

Yoshikazu Fujita (Japan, Wing)

Fujita, now 21, was a teenage sensation, becoming the youngest ever player for Japan at the age of 18 and breaking the record for most international tries by a teenager in a season. The Japanese youngster posses a tremendous amount of speed and agility which enables him to glide past defenders, and as a result he has a keen eye for the try line. Fujita is a beautifully balanced runner and has experience on the sevens circuit as well. The challenge now is to see if he can continue his try-scoring record against tougher opposition in Pool B.

Samu Manoa (USA, No.8)

Needing no introduction to rugby fans across Europe, and in particular England, Samu Manoa has been a phenomenal servant to Northampton Saints since 2011. The hulking utility forward is one of the most destructive ball carriers in the Premiership and is equally comfortable at number eight or second row. The 30 year-old will be an instrumental leader for the United States, and their fortunes in Pool B will rely heavily on the Toulon-bound giant.

Fetu’u Vainikolo (Tonga, Wing)

Another Exeter flyer, Vainikolo’s deadly running will also be well known to Connacht fans. Scottish supporters may also shudder at thought of Vainikolo with ball in hand as it was his try that defeated the Scots in 2013. A typically powerful ball carrier to come out of the Pacific Islands, Vainikolo will wreak havoc on defences if given an inch. He also posses quick feet and a deadly hand-off and will be hard to miss if he gets his hands on the ball in Pool C.

Jack Lam (Samoa, Flanker)

To those that follow the English Championship, Lam will be a familiar sight. Having impressed with the Hurricanes in Super Rugby for five seasons, and Bristol in England since last year, the 27-year-old flanker has been a mainstay in the Samoa team since 2013. Boasting a versatile armoury, Lam is a strong ball-carrier, an imposing tackler and can cause a mess at the breakdown when necessary. He is Samoa’s one-to-watch in Pool B.

DTH Van Der Merwe (Canada, Wing)

The Canadian flyer is now entering his third World Cup as an experienced international winger. The man known simply as DTH has been a prolific try-scorer in the Pro12 for Glasgow and has crossed the whitewash 16 times in 35 appearances for his country. He can also switch to outside-centre as he did at the 2011 tournament, and his turn of pace and strength in the collision is just as effective in either position. Watch out for his trademark rolled-down socks and evasive running in Pool D.

Which players from the Tier Two nations are you looking forward to watching at the World Cup?

By Finlay MacLeod (@Fin277Mac)

Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images