2016 ARN Rookie of the Year

To get our 2016 ARN Awards underway is a new award, Rookie of the Year. This was not awarded in 2015, with our young players instead considered under the ‘Breakthrough’ category. With this being the start of a new World Cup cycle and so many newcomers tasting international rugby for the first time, we felt it was appropriate to add a new category and celebrate the best of the new breed of international stars. We have also expanded our shortlist to five from four this year. The criteria for this award is simple – nominees must have made their senior international debut during the calendar year.

HONOURABLE MENTION

The youngest of the group is Argentine tyro Marcos Kremer, still a teenager and now the winner of three test caps. A highly rated lock or loose forward, Kremer’s physical appearance is that of a player much older and his fearless approach to the collision makes him a very unique prospect. With several plus-sized contemporaries following not far behind in the second row, it could well be on the blindside flank that Kremer makes his mark going forward. He had a mammoth year in 2016, playing for the Argentina XV in the Americas Rugby Championship and then emerging as one of the top forwards in the World Rugby u20 Championship. Injury to Pumas star Tomás Lavanini opened the door for his test debut in the Rugby Championship, and he then accompanied the Pumas on their year-end tour to Europe though he did not make a match appearance.

Canada capped several new players this year and certainly one of the standouts was former national u20 captain Lucas Rumball. His pathway to international rugby came via the Balmy Beach club, Queen’s University, and the Ontario Blues. For most his rise was a question of when, not if. Rumball made an immediate impression during the 2016 ARC and started every match, appearing in all three back row positions. A tough player who is known for his strength in the tackle and abrasiveness at the breakdown, the question now is what is his best position going forward? With fellow newcomer Matt Heaton also impressing as an out-and-out openside, the no6 jersey might be the best fit for Rumball. Injury slowed his progress somewhat towards the end of the year but the 21-year-old should play a big role in the fast approaching 2017 ARC.

Speaking of versatility, no player has perplexed the armchair selectors in 2016 more than Mike Te’o. Is he a scrumhalf? A fullback? A winger? A center? It doesn’t seem to matter where he plays, Te’o just seems to make things happen. Defenders can also attest to his irrational elusiveness, with bodies left flailing in random directions nearly every time Te’o touches the ball. With a physique more suited to hooker than halfback it just doesn’t seem right that he can explode off either foot and goose step as well as any. Te’o debuted in the ARC and went on to star in PRO Rugby with the San Diego Breakers. He was then given the honour of captaining the USA Select XV against Canada ‘A’ in the Americas Pacific Challenge before traveling to Europe with the Eagles. As gifted an attacker as there is in the American game at the moment, it might just be that his best position is wherever there’s an opening on the pitch.

When it came down to whittling the shortlist for this award we were left with two names. One of those was a player who so impressed in his first year of test rugby that he now looks nailed-on to play a significant role in the all-important qualifier series against the USA this summer, and on through to the 2019 World Cup assuming Canada makes the grade. Kyle Baillie has been in and around national team selection since making his Canada ‘A’ debut as a 22-year-old in the 2013 ARC, but it wasn’t until this year’s revamped competition when he finally got his shot at the big time. After subbing on in the first three matches he stood out in a tough game against the Argentina XV and from then on started every match for Canada until injury knocked him out of the last game of the year against Samoa. A second row for the Ohio Aviators in PRO Rugby, his size and athleticism make him an ideal blindside flanker with the added bonus of being more than capable in the lineout. Baillie now looks set to join Canada’s growing legions overseas with a move to Europe seemingly imminent thanks to a strong outing against Ireland. Expect the pride of Prince Edward Island to make his mark when he touches down.

THE WINNER

While Baillie certainly gave us ample food for thought, the credentials of Brazil’s new star fullback Daniel Sancery simply could not be overlooked. Brazilian born but raised in France, he and twin brother Felipe left professional contracts at Albi to return to the land of their mother and represent the Tupis, joining the São José club, also the home of the Duque brothers. Felipe made his debut in December 2015 against Germany, but Daniel didn’t arrive in the side until Brazil’s first match of the 2016 ARC against Chile. He was an immediate success, scoring a try less than 10 minutes into his test career and touching down in each of the next three games including the historic win over the Eagles. His counter-attacking prowess led to a unanimous selection in our 2016 ARC Dream XV and Sancery continued through the South American Championship before turning his sights towards sevens – and the Olympic Games. The year-end tour to Europe was next to finish with 12 caps and five tries in his first season of international rugby. A return to France looks a distinct possibility, though the Sancery twins have their sights on a spot in Super Rugby with the Jaguares. While policy might prove a stumbling block there is no lack of ability.

Daniel Sancery is our 2016 ARN Rookie of the Year.