Football. They’ve been named the best U20 player in the world, but are they all hacked to the top?

Their talent quickly exploded in the eyes of the oval planet. Among the U20s, a class launched in 2008 (there were previously U19s and U21s), came on display and awarded them the World Rugby Trophy for the best young player in the world. But have they all worked in a profession? Did they live up to the expectations placed upon them? Overview.

They’ve had an amazing career

Elected in 2009 barely a year after overcoming testicular cancer, the fly halved Aaron Croden Daniel Carter took advantage of an injury in the middle of the 2011 World Cup to join the New Zealand national team and win the World Cup. If he was crowned 50 times, he had a hard time getting out of the role of substitute Maestro Carter, but his career was no less beautiful, winning 4 rugby championships, and a disputed 14th final with Montpellier (he lost to Caster in 2018).

strong wing of Samoan descent, Julian Savia He wreaked havoc on the Silver Fern black jersey between 2012 and 2017, scoring 46 attempts in 54 picks (the second-best scorer of all time among the All Blacks, tied with Cullen and Rokocoko). World champion in 2015, he tried the adventure in Toulon in 2018, and it finally turned out to be a failure. Now 32, he plays for the Hurricanes.

He was also the world champion among the “top players”: Handry Pollard. After appearing in 3 FIFA U-20 World Cups (2012, 2013 and 2014) and winning the 2012 Cup (the third in 2013, qualifying for the final in 2014), he joined the Springboks at a massive pace, making his debut in June 2014, lifting Webb in 2019. Ellis Cup. A real accelerator against the poles, join the Top 14 and Montpellier, where he was the highest paid player in the world. Pollard completed his trophy cabinet with the French Championship and Challenge Cup.

In this category we can add an English intro George Ford81 matches in the XV de la Rose shirt, 3 6 Nations Championships (Grand Slam 2016). At the club, he, along with Leicester Tigers, lifted on 3 occasions the title of champion of England. Winner 2013, South Africa Jean Cerfontaine Held 35 times by the Springboks, the solid quarterback was picked up last June with Montpellier, along with his friend Handré Pollard, the Shield of Brennus, a year after the Challenge Cup.

It was never international

He is the first to be awarded the FIFA Under-20 World Player of the Year award, and so far the only one who has never known the joys of an international cap. Captain of World Champions Baby Blacks in 2008, Look Pride He is seen as one of the country’s most promising elements in the 3 . position^e Line. The problem: He’s fallen into the worst of times, with exceptional competition with Jerome Kaino, Richie McCaw, Kieran Reed, Liam Mesam or Victor Vito. All Blacks shirt, never seen before.

However, during his Super Rugby debut, he confirmed his full potential through excellent games played with the Chiefs and Blues. His future was locked in check, and in search of a new challenge he landed the Bordeaux Beagle, where he played for 4 years. His arrival at the Gironde was successful, but the bellows fell after two seasons, due to several injuries. He returned to the country in January 2019. We saw him again recently, in May 2022, with the Classic All Blacks against Spain.

mixed record

In 2013, the inaugural Sam Davis Take advantage of the excellent track for Wales, finalists of the FIFA U-20 World Cup, to claim the title. The result was honest, but nonetheless too mediocre for an element that is so promising and characterizes him as the best player in the U20 world.

The son of Welsh international Nigel Davies (29 caps), he defended the colors of the Welshmen, and then the Dragon, but he did not win any major title. In 2016, he discovered the joys of choosing with Leek XV after a call-up from Warren Gatland, with whom he allied 3 times during the 2017 6 Nations Championship (3 times as a substitute). During the 2017 summer tour, he won his first two matches against Tonga and Samoa. His last two appearances in the Welsh jersey. In short, mixed results…

In 2015, the formula changed

In 2015, the world’s top rugby authority reviewed its plans and developed the concept of the World Rugby Revelation of the Year. However, at the end of the FIFA U-20 World Cup, the FIFA U-20 World Rugby Player of the Year award is given to the player who has distinguished himself the most during the competition.

Among them, we find a Frenchman, in person Jordan Yousefthe two-time U-20 World Champion and called up to an extended group by France’s 15th coach, Fabien Galthey. James Chisholmthe third line of his tenure, defends the colors of Harlequins and, at age 26, has never been called up by the XV of the Rose. Juano Augustusa true South African bulldozer, who left his country for England in the summer of 2021, was one of the highlights of the season, playing 26 matches and scoring 8 attempts (he’s the third line).

Fast, agile and efficient in taking the ball, he plays in the third line inside the Leinster machine, Max Degan He is the only one on this list who has been an international: once in 2020 against Wales with Ireland.

Was this article useful to you? Note that you can follow Actu Rugby in the My Actu space. With one click, after registration, you will find all the news of your favorite cities and brands.