LIST: 5 players who should have won more caps

Rugby News
Wednesday, 08 June 2022 at 19:40
before and after home transformation youtube thumbnail 43 1
Occasionally we'll come across a player that looks ready made for test level rugby; they're the right age and just the right type of player.
However, for some reason they simply aren't recognised by their national coaches and are overlooked for international duty
Here are RUCK writer George Whiffen's five:

[ad_snack]
Isa Nacewa
Nacewa undoubtedly has the most interesting international story, he made a single appearance for Fiji of the bench at the 2003 World Cup against Scotland and never played for them again due to refusing to play for Fiji and wanting to change alliances to New Zealand.
IRB law stated however that due to his cap against Scotland and being considered a Fiji resident he was denied he wish to play for New Zealand even being raised there he considered legal advice but nothing ever came of it.
Matt Todd
Probably the most recent exclusion from international rugby, Matt Todd simply can't get a look in as he was considered by All Blacks to be behind Cane and Savea in the pecking order.
Considered the heir to Richie Mccaw not too long ago with a similar play style, to this day Todd only has 8 caps for New Zealand with the majority from the bench.
Matt Kvesic
One of the many unlucky players in the English game, Kvesic has been highly underused and never manged to grasp the No.7 shirt that Robshaw wore while as captain under the Stuart Lancaster era and nor has he worn the jersey under Eddie Jones.
Considered a true open side for his breakdown work and work rate he can be considered very unlucky to never have a look in for England especially when they'd always been looking for a true open-side.
2092493
Exeter Chiefs player Matt Kvesic during the warm up before the Gallagher Premiership rugby game between Sale Sharks and Exeter Chiefs at JW Bell Stadium on March 2nd - PHOTO: Steve Bond/PPAUK
Semesa Rokodunguni
Another England exile, Rokodunguni has two caps to his name and has struggled to make an impact on the international stage although consistently staring for Bath in the Premiership and Europe.
One of the top try scorers this past year in the Premiership, he's been unlucky with England having made his debut against New Zealand and having to mark Savea.
His second cap was under Eddie Jones against Fiji in the 2016 Autumn Series, in which he bagged two tries, but two more caps is all he'd accumulate under the Aussie.
92561968 rokoduguni
Luke Wallace
The Quins flanker is another English flanker subject to rejection from head coaches, Wallace can be considered even more unlucky then Kvesic with Wallace having no caps to his name.
Consistently topping tackling and turn over rates in the Premiership, Wallace can be considered a true open-side but is still disregarded by Eddie as he was by Stuart Lancaster too.
Who do you think are some of the unluckiest players? Tell us on the comments.
1867816
Luke Wallace (Harlequins, captain). Harlequins v Section Paloise (PAU). Pre-season friendly. PHOTO: Mandatory by-line: Garry Bowden/Pinnacle - Tel: +44(0)1363 881025 - Mobile:0797 1270 681 - VAT Reg No: 183700120 - 160814 - The Twickenham Stoop, London, UK

EDITORS PICKS

loading

Loading