4. Damian Penaud (France): Centre
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The son of former France international Alain, the 21-year-old has long been talked of as a player to watch and his impressive performances for Clermont and France U20s since 2015 earned him his test debut against South Africa in June.
The centre immediately repaid Guy Noves’ faith in him with a try in that 37-15 defeat in Durban, as he showcased his pace, impressive step, vision to spot a gap and confidence to back himself at the very highest level.
5. Asafo Aumua (New Zealand): Hooker
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In the area of most ‘weakness’, or rather least strength in New Zealand rugby, Aumua is emerging as a potential Mealamu/Coles hybrid.
A hooker with bags of potential, he does the little things right – he can scrummage and his lineouts are tidy – but it’s in the loose where he separates himself.
Aumua had two standout 30-50 metre runs to set up tries during the U20 championship against Ireland and France, and we will be seeing him in Super Rugby sooner rather than later. He was simply unplayable in the final too.
6. Juarno Augustus (South Africa): Number 8
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The No 8 played every minute for his team during the U20 championships, making 108 running metres from 47 carries and two clean breaks. His breakdown work is incredible too.
He beat 10 defenders and made 51 tackles with an 88% completion rate, while managing to score a try in every match (two against France and one each against Argentina and Georgia in the pool stage; two against England in the semi-final, and another against France in the third-place playoff).
He saw off stiff competition from England’s Zach Mercer and Gabriel Ibitoye, and New Zealand’s Tiaan Falcon and Will Jordan, to become the third South African – behind Handré Pollard and Jan Serfontein – to win the World Rugby U20 Player of the Year award.
Augustus appears destined to play for the Springboks