2017 ARN Breakthrough Player of the Year

The Breakthrough Player of the Year can be a bit tricky with its only real defining characteristic that a player achieves a significant rise in their standard, and consequently individual standing, over the course of the calendar year. Where it differs from the Rookie award is that it can apply to any player, new or experienced, though there is an inherent advantage for a player who comes from nowhere to make their international debut.

With so many newcomers to international rugby this year it was relatively easy to find candidates but difficult to reduce the list to only a handful of top challengers. Players like Nick Civetta and Bryce Campbell made big strides in 2017 while for Canada Matt Heaton and Josh Larsen come to mind. The biggest risers, however, came from the south, where players from Uruguay and Argentina had particularly compelling cases.

HONORABLE MENTION

We could have taken the easy route and simply named Emiliano Boffelli the winner, handing him an ARN Awards double. He was, after all, a nominee for World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year. Their criteria are slightly different than ours, and more in like with our Rookie award. Boffelli’s rise was certainly impressive however the fact that his rise was largely expected diminishes his candidacy somewhat.

Similarly the rise of Marcos Kremer was not any real surprise to those who have watched him over the past couple years. Effectively achieving first choice status for the Pumas at year’s end, however, was perhaps a step further than anticipated. It’s been an exceptional year for Kremer and his upside is still significant. In fact he could very well find himself in the running for this award again next year if he lives up to his considerable potential.

Los Teros had a tremendous year, arguably their best ever, and two players in particular stood out for us. The first was Juan Manuel Cat. His conversion from flyhalf to the midfield has seen him cement himself in the No 13 jersey. With vision, pace, and footballing skills, the ceiling is very high for Cat whose biggest work on at the moment is to simply get bigger. His goal kicking is fast becoming first class and it won’t be long before pro offers come in once the scouts get hold of some footage.

Agustín Ormaechea was arguably Uruguay’s best player at Rugby World Cup 2015. Two years on and his place in the side is under major threat be a player who is just 21. Santiago Arata went from being a gifted project to starting 11 matches at scrumhalf for Los Teros in 2017. His blazing speed off the mark and nose for the tryline makes him equally capable of breaking the line or finishing off a sweeping attacking move. That try against Spain in the Nations Cup was truly amazing.

THE WINNER

Any of the above could have been acceptable winners but one player’s trajectory seemed just a little bit steeper than the rest. A big year with Hindu in 2015 earned Sebastián Cancelliere a spot with the Pumas 7s squad in 2016 and a couple games on the wing in the Nations Cup.

In the 2017 Americas Rugby Championship he was a surprise selection as a scrumhalf, and his form was nothing short of sensational. Cancelliere was the most dangerous player on the field in virtually every game he played for the Argentina XV and by the end of the year was winning his first caps for the Pumas in Europe, albeit as a winger again.

It’s at scrumhalf where we see his future, and if the Argentine selectors listen they could have a bona fide star on their hands. For his stunning rise from club standout to full test honors, Sebastián Cancelliere is our 2017 ARN Breakthrough Player of the Year.