By Barry Coughlan A top international coach has endorsed the nomination of Ireland’s Garry Ringrose for player of the tournament in the IRB Junior World Cup.
Former Glasgow and Scotland coach Richie Dixon has been taken with the quality of play produced by Ringrose in helping Ireland to the semi final of the tournament in Auckland.
“Often you see a young team playing and some guys are standing out because at this stage of their development maybe they’re just a little bit ahead of other guys. Then there are others that make you think there is something really different. He appeared to be doing things naturally, I just felt he looked a bit special and he certainly drove Ireland to what they achieved. In fact, both centres (inside partner Dan Goggin) looked really good, but that boy Ringrose was just slightly ahead. He looks to have a very bright future.�
Finalists South Africa and England each have a player nominated in captain Handré Pollard and wing Nathan Earle respectively, with Ireland centre Garry Ringrose and New Zealand wing Tevita Li completing the quartet of players.
The management of the 12 teams involved in the IRB Junior World Championship 2014 in New Zealand voted on their top three players after each round with votes tallied to provide the shortlist of nominees.
This is what the judges had to say in relation to the four nominees:
Nathan Earle (England)
The wing announced himself on the Junior World Championship stage with a bang, scoring the first hat-trick of the tournament against Italy on day one, his pace and mazy running simply too much for the Azzurrini to handle. The 19-year-old followed that up with another brace against Australia in their next match and, while he hasn’t crossed the whitewash since, his breaks have led to other tries to help England retain the hope of defending their title.
Garry Ringrose (Ireland)
With Irish rugby fans asking the question who will fill the 13 jersey now that Brian O’Driscoll has retired, the answer could lie in 19-year-old Ringrose who has carried well and repeatedly got over the gain-line to help Ireland reach a first JWC semi-final. A lovely straight runner, Ringrose has scored three tries in the tournament, two in the decisive bonus point win over Wales and one in the semi-final loss to England. He is also an accomplished kicker as he proved with 11 points in the final pool victory over Fiji.
Handré Pollard (South Africa)
A player who already has a Junior World Championship winners’ medal to his name from South Africa’s success on home soil in 2012, Pollard now holds the responsibility of captaincy in what is his third experience of the tournament. With a maturity beyond his years, the Blue Bulls fly half is a calming influence on his teammates but also a natural leader. In the semi-final he became both the leading point scorer at JWC 2014 and also in the competition’s history.
Tevita Li (New Zealand)
The New Zealand wing only linked up with the Under 20 squad on the eve of the tournament due to his Super Rugby commitments with the Blues, but that experience has shone through in his performances. A wing blessed with pace and power, Li was one bright spark for New Zealand in their pool loss to South Africa with a hat-trick. The 19-year-old, who has scored five tries in the tournament, will hope to follow in the footsteps of former Under 20 wings Julian Savea and Charles Piutau by graduating to the All Blacks in the years ahead.
Article source: http://uk.reuters.com/article/2014/06/14/rugby-union-argentina-idUKL4N0OV0E620140614
Ireland"s Garry Ringrose nominated for top junior rugby award
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