Rugby Premier League Season 1: Top Players to Watch (International Edition)
Mumbai (Maharashtra), [India], June 13 (ANI): There’s an electrifying buzz building up as we approach the launch of Season 1 of the Rugby Premier League. Just days away from kick-off, all six teams are diligently strategizing to secure their strongest start possible. Top-tier athletes have descended upon Mumbai, ready to etch their presence into the hearts of local supporters. This first-ever Rugby Premier League marks a significant opportunity for showcasing some of India's finest rugby talent. rugby Players will get the opportunity to come face-to-face with rugby’s greatest icons. Let's take a closer look at some of the top athletes worldwide who have traveled to India for this groundbreaking franchised Rugby Sevens event—the first ever held globally—according to an announcement from the Rugby Premier League. -**Akuila Rokolisoa – Bangalore Bravehearts** Hailing from Fiji, Akuila Rokolisoa forms part of the prestigious All Blacks squad based in New Zealand. He stands out as a pivotal figure within the team. This accomplished sportsman earned Athlete of the Year honors in 2023 under New Zealand's Sevens program and was nominated for World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year. His list of achievements includes securing a gold medal during the Rugby Sevens World Cup in San Francisco back in 2018. Two cycles later, he claimed silver alongside the All Blacks at the Rugby Sevens World Cup hosted in Cape Town in 2022. Additionally, in the same competitive year, he took home bronze medals after participating in the 2022 Commonwealth Games staged in Birmingham. Making his initial appearance for New Zealand in 2018, now aged thirty, having also clinched a gold medal in the previous edition of the Commonwealth Games in 2018, Rokolisoa ranks among the foremost offensive forces across all competitions. Notably, in 2023, he etched his name into record books by achieving only the sixth instance where someone scored over four hundred points in a single campaign. - **Terry Kennedy – Madras Stallions** At twenty-eight years old, this native of Ireland boasts extraordinary agility and pace and is recognized as one of the fiercest facilitators navigating through circuits associated with the World Rugby Sevens Series. Coming from a lineage wherein his father too had participated professionally adds another layer of inspiration behind Terry's career trajectory. rugby For Ireland, he was named the 2022 World Rugby Men's Sevens Player of the Year. This player represented Ireland during the 2024 Paris Olympics and contributed significantly as they secured a bronze medal at the Rugby World Cup Sevens held in Cape Town in 2022, followed by winning gold at the 2023 European Games. Terry is among those considered ‘founders’ having been part of the first-ever Irish team which began competing in Europe’s C Division back in Bosnia in June 2015; additionally, he reached the final of the XV World Cup for Under-20 players in 2016. - Rosko Specman – Kalinga Black Tigers At age 36, this veteran remains one of rugby sevens' most experienced figures from South Africa. rugby , and is a two-time Olympic medalist. Rosko Specman was part of the South African squad that secured bronze medals at both the Rio and Paris Olympics. Additionally, this wing player earned a bronze medal during the 2018 Rugby World Cup Sevens held in San Francisco. More recently, he claimed silver at the Africa Men’s Sevens competition in Mauritius in 2024. Rosko Specman, an immensely popular athlete within the rugby community, stands out due to his exceptional speed against opponents and innate talent for scoring tries. Born in Makhanda, South Africa, Specman began competing in Rugby Sevens back in 2014 and brings considerable experience into the first season of the RPL as one of its seasoned participants.
Manu Moreno – Hyderabad Heroes Hailing from Spain, this 26-year-old forward has tasted victory early in his career. As a European champion both in 2021 and 2022, Manu will play a key role in the offensive strategy of the Hyderabad Heroes during Season 1 of the RPL. Besides being an aspiring medical professional when not on the field, he is recognized for embodying Spain’s aggressive attacking approach characterized by dynamic movements and swift ball circulation. His contributions have helped keep Spain competitive at the highest levels within the SVNS league. Additionally, Manu earned recognition as part of the elite group comprising just 14 players. rugby Seven players took center stage at the World Rugby Sevens Series held in Toulouse in May 2023.—Matteo Graziano - Delhi Redz Among them, Matteo Graziano stands out as one of the younger athletes competing in the RPL. At just 23 years old, this Argentine hooker is celebrated for his adaptability during matches. He has played a crucial role in shaping Argentina’s aggressive offensive strategy and contributed significantly when they clinched their initial SVNS circuit medal in Hamilton. In January 2025, Argentina successfully defended their HSBC Perth 7s championship by defeating host nation Australia with a decisive scoreline of 41-5 in the finale. In that game, Matteo Graziano showcased exceptional skill by scoring three tries. Hailing originally from rugby Jerry Tuwai — a key figure in sports — is also set to be part of the Argentine team for the 2024 Paris Olympics. He stands as one of the most reliable players around. Among his many accomplishments, he is notably with the Mumbai Dreamers. One of the true pillars of the sport, Jerry Tuwai remains unmatched as he is the sole individual like this. rugby A rugby sevens player boasting two Olympic gold medals from the 2016 Rio and 2021 Tokyo games, Jerry was instrumental as part of the Fijian team that secured a silver medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics. This achievement made him the most decorated athlete in Fiji’s Olympic history. On the international stage within the World Rugby Sevens Series, Jerry served as captain during the 2017–18 campaign, leading his nation to victory in the 2022 Singapore Sevens tournament against New Zealand with a scoreline of 28-17. During the 2019 season, he achieved an impressive tally of 34 clean breaks, placing him among the top performers globally, and earned himself a nomination for World Sevens Player of the Year in 2017. Jerry began playing internationally for Fiji in 2014 and received accolades such as being crowned Best Rookie on the sevens circuit by World Rugby that same year. His stellar career continued when he claimed the prestigious World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year award in 2019. Additionally, this upcoming summer sees the inauguration of the Rugby Premier League on June 15th. The inaugural event will take place at the Brihanmumbai Kreeda Ani Lalitkala Prarthisthan Andheri Sports Complex (commonly known as Mumbai Football Arena, MFA), according to ANI reports.
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