8 Tom Curry

Few players give more of themselves than Tom Curry. Every tackle, every carry, every chase — it’s total commitment. The Sale Sharks flanker has been a cornerstone of English rugby for nearly a decade, and his impact remains enormous.

On the 2025 Lions tour, he scored in consecutive tests, driving his side to a historic series win. Curry blends intelligence and savagery, reading the game like a half-back but hitting like a heavyweight.

7 Rob Valetini

Rob Valetini’s influence is so vast it’s felt even when he’s not playing. The two-time John Eales Medal winner brings balance and brutality in equal measure. Injuries may have limited his Lions series, but when on form, there’s no more complete back-rower in the southern hemisphere.

His carrying game sets the tone, his defence breaks spirits, and his leadership steadies Australia’s young core.

6 Jack Willis

There’s a quiet tragedy to Jack Willis’s brilliance — England’s loss is Toulouse’s gain. Since moving to France, Willis has dominated the Top 14, even scoring twice in this year’s final before being named Player of the Season.

His turnover stats are absurd, his tackling vicious, and his instincts unmatched. Yet, for all his success, there’s still the dream of returning home to play in the 2027 World Cup.

5 Wallace Sititi

New Zealand’s next great forward has already arrived. At just 23, Wallace Sititi plays with the composure of a veteran and the power of a runaway freight train. His breakout 2024 season earned him World Rugby’s Breakthrough Player of the Year and All Blacks Player of the Year honours — no small feat.

Sititi’s versatility across the back row gives the All Blacks priceless options, but it’s his pace and power in open play that make him special.

4 Caelan Doris

Caelan Doris doesn’t just play rugby — he conducts it. Ireland’s captain-in-waiting has redefined what balance looks like in a number eight. His ball-carrying is devastating, yet it’s his intelligence in contact and decision-making under pressure that make him elite.

Whether captaining Leinster or leading from the front for Ireland, Doris brings poise, control, and a touch of artistry.

3 Siya Kolisi

Some players lead through talent; Siya Kolisi leads through soul. The Springbok captain has become a symbol far beyond the game — a two-time World Cup winner and the first black player to lead South Africa to global glory.

Yet, even stripped of symbolism, Kolisi remains a phenomenal flanker: explosive over the ball, tireless in defence, and endlessly selfless.

2 Ardie Savea

Watching Ardie Savea play feels like witnessing passion personified. Every carry, every turnover, every post-match interview radiates authenticity. In 2025, he’s been the standout in Super Rugby again, captaining Moana Pasifika with boundless energy and humility. Savea doesn’t just lift teams; he transforms them.

His stats for last season defy belief — over 100 tackles, 15 turnovers, countless line breaks — but it’s his emotional influence that sets him apart.

1 Pieter-Steph du Toit

At the summit stands Pieter-Steph du Toit — a man who turns exhaustion into excellence. Twice World Rugby Player of the Year, he’s the living embodiment of work rate and sacrifice.

Du Toit’s performance in the 2023 World Cup final was a masterclass in endurance: 28 tackles and total control. His blend of power, humility, and relentlessness defines the Springbok ethos.

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