20 best rugby wonderkids from 2016 - where are they now?

Thursday, 27 February 2025 at 16:10

byRugby Rucker

Back in 2016, these young stars were tipped for greatness by Wales Online, lighting up the World Rugby U20 Championship and making waves at their clubs.

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Some went on to fulfill their potential, becoming household names in the sport, while others faded from the spotlight.

Nine years later, we take a look at how their careers panned out—who lived up to the hype, who surprised us, and who disappeared from the rugby radar.

Check out the original article here.

Jordie Barrett (New Zealand) – From prodigy to All Blacks star

"You might recognise the surname because this is the younger brother of World Cup-winning back Beauden."

Jordie Barrett entered the 2016 U20 World Championship as one of New Zealand’s most hyped young talents, capable of playing fly-half, inside centre, or full-back. Fast forward to today, and he’s become a key figure for the All Blacks, winning multiple Rugby Championships and appearing in two World Cups. Now a senior leader in the squad, Barrett continues to showcase his versatility and booming boot on the biggest stage.

Junior Pokomela (South Africa) – A Springbok dream unfulfilled

"Regarded as one of the bright young talents of South African rugby, the back-rower was considered a future Springbok star."

Pokomela showed immense promise at youth level and became a key player for the Cheetahs and later the Stormers. However, despite solid performances in domestic rugby, he never broke into the Springboks squad, with fierce competition keeping him out. He now plays for the Bulls in the United Rugby Championship.

Patelesio Tomkinson (New Zealand) – Super Rugby mainstay

"The centre was included in the Highlanders squad after making his ITM Cup debut."

Tomkinson went on to have a respectable Super Rugby career with the Highlanders, known for his hard-hitting defence and direct running. He later moved to France, joining Pau in the Top 14, where he continues to make an impact.

Dillon Lewis (Wales) – Grand Slam winner

"The Cardiff Blues tighthead was the cornerstone of the Wales pack during their Grand Slam success."

Lewis lived up to expectations, earning over 50 caps for Wales and featuring in two World Cups. His scrummaging and mobility made him a key asset for both Cardiff and the national team, though he now faces stiff competition in the front row.

Curwin Bosch (South Africa) – From wonderkid to nearly man

"The playmaker was snapped up by the Sharks immediately out of school."

Touted as a future Springboks star, Bosch dazzled in his early years with his long-range kicking and silky playmaking. However, inconsistency and defensive struggles saw him fall down the pecking order, and he never fully cemented a Springboks spot. In 2023, he left South Africa for French club Brive.

Martin Laveau (France) – Sevens star turned club regular

"The flying wing had already featured on the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series."

Laveau never made the jump to the French national team in 15s but carved out a solid club career with Bayonne and Castres. He remains a dangerous finisher in the Top 14.

Atata Moeakiola (Japan) – Early breakthrough, quiet since

"Already had three senior caps for Japan before the U20 Championship."

Moeakiola burst onto the scene with a hat-trick against South Africa at the 2016 U20 World Cup but struggled to sustain that form. Injuries hampered his career, and he’s now playing in Japan’s domestic league.

Damian Penaud (France) – World Cup hero

"The Clermont centre was certainly a man to watch."

Penaud lived up to the hype, becoming one of France’s deadliest attacking weapons. A key figure in their 2022 Grand Slam-winning squad and a standout at the 2023 World Cup, Penaud has since become a try-scoring machine for Bordeaux.

Marcos Kremer (Argentina) – Los Pumas enforcer

"One of the finest rising stars in Argentina rugby."

Kremer developed into a fearsome back-rower, earning over 50 caps for Argentina. Known for his brutal tackling and relentless work rate, he now plays for Stade Français in the Top 14.

Joe Marchant (England) – England regular turned Top 14 star

"A black belt in karate and a former England schools finalist in gymnastics!"

Marchant became a mainstay in Harlequins’ midfield and earned regular England caps. In 2023, he moved to Stade Français, continuing to showcase his explosive running and defensive skills.

Mack Mason (Australia) – Career fizzled out

"Showed big-match temperament with a last-minute penalty against New Zealand."

Despite early promise, Mason never established himself in Super Rugby. After bouncing between Australian clubs, he faded from the professional scene.

Robbie Nairn (Scotland) – Never hit the heights

"The powerful wing was part of the Harlequins set-up."

Nairn struggled to break into the Scotland squad and eventually left professional rugby.

Leni Apisai (New Zealand) – Super Rugby journeyman

"Named Baby Blacks captain in 2016."

Apisai never cemented a starting role in Super Rugby, moving between the Hurricanes, Blues, and Moana Pasifika.

Harrison Keddie (Wales) – Reliable club performer

"A standout player during Wales' U20 Grand Slam."

Keddie became a key figure for the Dragons but never earned a senior Wales cap.

James Ryan (Ireland) – Ireland’s captain-in-waiting

"The Irish skipper was one of the pivotal figures of the U20 squad."

Ryan fulfilled his potential, becoming a world-class lock and captaining Ireland multiple times. A crucial figure in Ireland’s 2023 Grand Slam.

Vasil Lobzhanidze (Georgia) – World Cup mainstay

"The youngest player to ever feature in a senior World Cup."

Lobzhanidze became a key player for Georgia, featuring in multiple World Cups and leading them against Tier 1 nations.

Sione Tuipulotu (Australia) – Switched nations to Scotland

"Became the first Victorian to play Super Rugby for Melbourne Rebels."

Tuipulotu later qualified for Scotland through ancestry, becoming one of their key centres in recent years.

Harry Mallinder (England) – Career cut short

"The son of Saints coach Jim had made the breakthrough into senior rugby."

Mallinder’s career was plagued by injuries, and he left professional rugby in 2023.

Keelan Giles (Wales) – The one that got away

"The turbo-charged Ospreys product proved himself in the Six Nations."

Giles had electric pace but was constantly sidelined by injuries, preventing him from making an impact at Test level.

Paul Kiernan (Ireland) – Never made the leap

"Comes from a famous rugby family."

Kiernan failed to break into the senior Ireland setup, spending most of his career in club rugby.

QUIZ: Can You Name the England XV that Won the 2020 Six Nations?

England last won the Six Nations in 2020, in what was a crowning achievement during the Eddie Jones era. Coming off the back of the 2019 Rugby World Cup Final heartbreak, England bounced back to win their seventh Six Nations title since the competition's Italian expansion in 2000.

England secured the trophy with a win in Rome, as they handed Italy a one-sided 34-5 bonus point defeat. We are challenging you to remember who started for England that day, as the match was played in front of an empty stadium during the Covid-19 Pandemic.

You have five minutes to provide your answers, good luck!

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