Tony Brown has a lock on the 10 jersey, behind Mehrtens and Spenser.RuggaBugga wrote:I used to hype the shit out of Josh Blackie although that probably doesn't count given he was supremely unlucky to play in the GOAT era and be fighting with Marty Holah for the scraps.
Someone should start a thread about best third choice players...
Your most embarrassing overhyping of a player
Re: Your most embarrassing overhyping of a player
Re: Your most embarrassing overhyping of a player
Me tooHouseOfPane wrote:Ah, Chris Noakes. I forgot about him. He was a decent goal kicker at least - I remember him kicking the winning penalty (from halfway?) on full time for Otago v Southland down in Invercargill one year.mr bungle wrote:nicebutextremelyfuckingdim?Ali's Choice wrote:I forget the poster who started the infamous 'Is Chris Noakes better than Dan Carter?' thread.

#iwazthere
- Jerome Manning
- Posts: 585
- Joined: Tue Apr 21, 2020 11:14 pm
Re: Your most embarrassing overhyping of a player
Tony (Anthony) Koonwaiyou was being hyped up as a Cullen/Rokocoko/Jesus hybrid when he was playing Auckland schoolboy rugby. Ended up being a nondescript NPC player.
Re: Your most embarrassing overhyping of a player
Stuart Barnes
Ryan Lamb
Shane Geraghty
Danny Cipriani
I have a type
Ryan Lamb
Shane Geraghty
Danny Cipriani
I have a type
Re: Your most embarrassing overhyping of a player
Not really related but it made me think of it for some reason and it certainly doesnt deserve its own thread
I used to bang on and on about how they should play Guscott at FB and maintained he'd be the best in the world if he transitioned
I still maintain it was a good idea and am convinced that if he were around these days a FB is what he'd be
I used to bang on and on about how they should play Guscott at FB and maintained he'd be the best in the world if he transitioned
I still maintain it was a good idea and am convinced that if he were around these days a FB is what he'd be
Re: Your most embarrassing overhyping of a player
The 'prince of centres' at fullback? Why on earth do you think that is a good idea? What qualities did he posses that make you think he is better suited at fullback than centre?colonel wrote:Not really related but it made me think of it for some reason and it certainly doesnt deserve its own thread
I used to bang on and on about how they should play Guscott at FB and maintained he'd be the best in the world if he transitioned
I still maintain it was a good idea and am convinced that if he were around these days a FB is what he'd be
- Jerome Manning
- Posts: 585
- Joined: Tue Apr 21, 2020 11:14 pm
Re: Your most embarrassing overhyping of a player
Amazing that he was third in line. I'd happily have a player of that calibre starting for us now.Kiwias wrote:Tony Brown has a lock on the 10 jersey, behind Mehrtens and Spenser.RuggaBugga wrote:I used to hype the shit out of Josh Blackie although that probably doesn't count given he was supremely unlucky to play in the GOAT era and be fighting with Marty Holah for the scraps.
Someone should start a thread about best third choice players...
Re: Your most embarrassing overhyping of a player
I reckon the order at the time was correct.Jerome Manning wrote:Amazing that he was third in line. I'd happily have a player of that calibre starting for us now.Kiwias wrote:Tony Brown has a lock on the 10 jersey, behind Mehrtens and Spenser.RuggaBugga wrote:I used to hype the shit out of Josh Blackie although that probably doesn't count given he was supremely unlucky to play in the GOAT era and be fighting with Marty Holah for the scraps.
Someone should start a thread about best third choice players...
- Monkey Magic
- Posts: 578
- Joined: Tue Jan 31, 2012 11:05 am
Re: Your most embarrassing overhyping of a player
Are you the reverse John Hart?booji boy wrote:The 'prince of centres' at fullback? Why on earth do you think that is a good idea? What qualities did he posses that make you think he is better suited at fullback than centre?colonel wrote:Not really related but it made me think of it for some reason and it certainly doesnt deserve its own thread
I used to bang on and on about how they should play Guscott at FB and maintained he'd be the best in the world if he transitioned
I still maintain it was a good idea and am convinced that if he were around these days a FB is what he'd be
On Koonwaiyou, think he was in the same secondary schools team as Rokocoko, they played certain raiser to a test vs aussir and Rokocoko scored a handful of tries and Koonwaiyou hardly saw the ball.
Re: Your most embarrassing overhyping of a player
booji boy wrote:The 'prince of centres' at fullback? Why on earth do you think that is a good idea? What qualities did he posses that make you think he is better suited at fullback than centre?colonel wrote:Not really related but it made me think of it for some reason and it certainly doesnt deserve its own thread
I used to bang on and on about how they should play Guscott at FB and maintained he'd be the best in the world if he transitioned
I still maintain it was a good idea and am convinced that if he were around these days a FB is what he'd be
I didnt name him that. I think the 'Prince of Wales' is better suited elsewhere but doesnt change the fact that people call him that
- RuggaBugga
- Posts: 12794
- Joined: Tue Jan 31, 2012 11:05 am
Re: Your most embarrassing overhyping of a player
Jeez, forgot about that guyJerome Manning wrote:Tony (Anthony) Koonwaiyou was being hyped up as a Cullen/Rokocoko/Jesus hybrid when he was playing Auckland schoolboy rugby. Ended up being a nondescript NPC player.

- Brumby_in_Vic
- Posts: 15878
- Joined: Tue Jan 31, 2012 11:05 am
Re: Your most embarrassing overhyping of a player
Blair was a good scrum half playing in a shite team.
Re: Your most embarrassing overhyping of a player
Bit of a toss up probably, as I've made essential the same call twice, between Kris Chesney and Tom Lindsay having been hugely impressed with their physicality breaking into seniors rugby only to have to watch as they never got to grips with any actual rugby skills. I know there's that famous line from Winterbottom about Burger, that if he ever learns to play rugby he'll be some player, but Burger's decision making was sublime in relative terms to Chesney and Lindsay makes Marx look a god throwing at the lineout
I see JSD has been taken as a pick, if we're looking at a separate category for players who unlike Chesney and Lindsay did have the skills but haven't remotely had the career they might then Cipriani. Still think Cips is the most skilful England player I've seen, but his actual return at test level for a number of reasons is pretty merde
I see JSD has been taken as a pick, if we're looking at a separate category for players who unlike Chesney and Lindsay did have the skills but haven't remotely had the career they might then Cipriani. Still think Cips is the most skilful England player I've seen, but his actual return at test level for a number of reasons is pretty merde
- eldanielfire
- Posts: 30620
- Joined: Tue Jan 31, 2012 11:05 am
Re: Your most embarrassing overhyping of a player
I think his issue was when under pressure he didn't know what to do, he didn't have the brains around to to call something and he's charge forward and crab sideways with the ball killing attacks.sonic_attack wrote:Pretty harsh, Giteau was pretty solid all round and did a fair bit of wasting opposition practically single-handed. The level of overhype for Giteau must be pretty marginal.
I think Giteau is rather like a number of aussie backs who came in mid-2000 onwards who were individually super talented but somehow never quite clicked as a team in the biggest games. Meanwhile New Zealand managed a production line of payers who seems to fit in perfectly every time..
Re: Your most embarrassing overhyping of a player
He played for Southland, and even in that setup was forgettable.RuggaBugga wrote:Jeez, forgot about that guyJerome Manning wrote:Tony (Anthony) Koonwaiyou was being hyped up as a Cullen/Rokocoko/Jesus hybrid when he was playing Auckland schoolboy rugby. Ended up being a nondescript NPC player.
Re: Your most embarrassing overhyping of a player
Giteau mostly choked the big occasion. And was paid massive money for the privilege.
Re: Your most embarrassing overhyping of a player
Jason Eaton is basically Colin Meads but better
Re: Your most embarrassing overhyping of a player
naki wrote:Jason Eaton is basically Colin Meads but better

Re: Your most embarrassing overhyping of a player
It was a simpler time. George W was just starting his second term. The global economy was going gang busters with no chance of collapse. People were getting their heads around these new "smart phones". 2005 rocked.sorCrer wrote:naki wrote:Jason Eaton is basically Colin Meads but better
-
- Posts: 8593
- Joined: Tue Jan 31, 2012 11:05 am
- Location: the Confederacy of Dunces
Re: Your most embarrassing overhyping of a player
I thought Reggie Corrigan would make a fine international prop
Re: Your most embarrassing overhyping of a player
Blair was a very good scrumhalf who played in a shite Scotland team. It's a tale as old as pro rugby, really. He missed out on a Lions Tour, causing much uproar about Anti-Jock bias from Scottish posters here, except it was pointed out to them that he was passed over for Scotland's other scrummy, Chris Cusiter.Wilderbeast wrote:Who?WoodlandsRFC wrote:Goramaru fits under these same criteria then I suppose?Wilderbeast wrote:Whose the Scottish halfback who was nominated for world player of the year? Mike Blair? I didn’t see much of him but I thought he was the bees knees. Not long later he seemed a bit shit?
Doesn’t quite fit the thread but...
I mention Mike Blair As he was the guy I tried to sound knowledgeable about by hyping him up to my mates who firmly believed nothing good came out of the northern hemisphere (especially backs). I don’t really know what happened to him, but he didn’t really make a statement like I thought he would.
Kind of hoping a knowledgeable NH poster is going to chip in with some wisdom on this one.
Re: Your most embarrassing overhyping of a player
Ben Herring, he had a huge game against McCaw in the middle of a great season for him and Wellington poached him. He was underwhelming for the his time in Wellingto/The canes, I take comfort in the fact I was not alone in my stupidity considering Wellington let Kupu Vanisi go to make for him and Vanisi was a far better flanker.
Herring was in the news today.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/300 ... r-children
Herring was in the news today.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/300 ... r-children
Re: Your most embarrassing overhyping of a player
While I maintain that he is a very serviceable test level 10, I may have been slightly guilty of impressing on attendees of this parish that Lima Sopoaga was the next DC.
He clearly is not. But Richie Mo'unga is.

He clearly is not. But Richie Mo'unga is.


Re: Your most embarrassing overhyping of a player
naki wrote:It was a simpler time. George W was just starting his second term. The global economy was going gang busters with no chance of collapse. People were getting their heads around these new "smart phones". 2005 rocked. Plus I was still a supporter of the Canes.sorCrer wrote:naki wrote:Jason Eaton is basically Colin Meads but better
Re: Your most embarrassing overhyping of a player
Yes, George Bush, widely regarded at the time as setting a historic low water mark for US Presidents.Flockwitt wrote:naki wrote:It was a simpler time. George W was just starting his second term. The global economy was going gang busters with no chance of collapse. People were getting their heads around these new "smart phones". 2005 rocked. Plus I was still a supporter of the Canes.sorCrer wrote:naki wrote:Jason Eaton is basically Colin Meads but better
The All Blacks looked vulnerable in the upcoming Lions series, especially with no settled fly half.
BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | Lions in NZ | Demystifying the All Blacks aura
By Bryn Palmer
The All Blacks are routinely referred to as "mighty", with a proud history that makes New Zealand the greatest of all rugby nations.
But despite being number one in the official world rankings, something of the old aura has slipped from the Kiwi crown.
Four World Cups since their inaugural victory in 1987 have brought bouts of national mourning, and they have lost at least two matches in each of the past five years.
With Sir Clive Woodward plotting how to achieve only the Lions' second series win in New Zealand, we examine previous evidence of where the fault-lines can emerge.
Re: Your most embarrassing overhyping of a player
Oh yes Sir Clive was going to bring an all mighty, all conquering, British and Irish Rugby Armada to the defenceless little island nation of New Zealand in what promised to be an unfair David vs Goliath match up both physically and economically. What a joke that turned out to be.With Sir Clive Woodward plotting how to achieve only the Lions' second series win in New Zealand, we examine previous evidence of where the fault-lines can emerge.
Interesting that his successor Warren Gatland, currently 0-7 as a Super Rugby coach, came much closer to achieving 'only the Lions' second series win in New Zealand'.
Re: Your most embarrassing overhyping of a player
I remember being very concerned that Woodward’s personality would introduce unnecessary animosity and taint the entire experience. Despite that I remained hopeful that the better historical relationship with the Irish, Welsh and Scots would prevail, so we could all celebrate the game we love in a positive atmosphere.booji boy wrote:Oh yes Sir Clive was going to bring an all mighty, all conquering, British and Irish Rugby Armada to the defenceless little island nation of New Zealand in what promised to be an unfair David vs Goliath match up both physically and economically. What a joke that turned out to be.With Sir Clive Woodward plotting how to achieve only the Lions' second series win in New Zealand, we examine previous evidence of where the fault-lines can emerge.
Interesting that his successor Warren Gatland, currently 0-7 as a Super Rugby coach, came much closer to achieving 'only the Lions' second series win in New Zealand'.
Re: Your most embarrassing overhyping of a player
Magnus Lund.
He was just too nice to thrive in the public school hooray Henry environment that was English rugby.
He was just too nice to thrive in the public school hooray Henry environment that was English rugby.
Re: Your most embarrassing overhyping of a player
A reverse Flee-wi!Harvey2.0 wrote:Ben Herring, he had a huge game against McCaw in the middle of a great season for him and Wellington poached him. He was underwhelming for the his time in Wellingto/The canes, I take comfort in the fact I was not alone in my stupidity considering Wellington let Kupu Vanisi go to make for him and Vanisi was a far better flanker.
Herring was in the news today.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/300 ... r-children
... I should pop on over to the pretentious names thread with his kids!

The family is now in Wanaka, where the children – daughters Huxley (11) and Eckhart (6) and sons Rocket (8) and Boom (2) – are either in school or kindy a few days a week.
Re: Your most embarrassing overhyping of a player
Are they pretentious or awful ? Ffs who names their kid Boom ?Nieghorn wrote:A reverse Flee-wi!Harvey2.0 wrote:Ben Herring, he had a huge game against McCaw in the middle of a great season for him and Wellington poached him. He was underwhelming for the his time in Wellingto/The canes, I take comfort in the fact I was not alone in my stupidity considering Wellington let Kupu Vanisi go to make for him and Vanisi was a far better flanker.
Herring was in the news today.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/300 ... r-children
... I should pop on over to the pretentious names thread with his kids!![]()
The family is now in Wanaka, where the children – daughters Huxley (11) and Eckhart (6) and sons Rocket (8) and Boom (2) – are either in school or kindy a few days a week.
Re: Your most embarrassing overhyping of a player
Rodzilla
Jessie Mogg
Jessie Mogg
Re: Your most embarrassing overhyping of a player
For Canada - Chauncey O’Toole. Game came easy to him in Canada that he never learned a work ethnic and struggled to make the bench at Glasgow, London Scottish and Newport(?)
For All Blacks
Probably Anthony Boric, kept getting injured.
For All Blacks
Probably Anthony Boric, kept getting injured.
Re: Your most embarrassing overhyping of a player
Stefan Terreblanche been mentioned?
Re: Your most embarrassing overhyping of a player
He always looked like he was caught skipping Sunday school by his overbearing mother.Nieghorn wrote:Back in the day... Keith Lowen, Isaia Toeava
Recent years... Gary Graham
Re: Your most embarrassing overhyping of a player
Probably because he had tits for handsTrue Blue wrote:He always looked like he was caught skipping Sunday school by his overbearing mother.Nieghorn wrote:Back in the day... Keith Lowen, Isaia Toeava
Recent years... Gary Graham
Re: Your most embarrassing overhyping of a player
Yet another pet project of the coaches that the rest of us couldn't see the fuss about.Tussock wrote:Probably because he had tits for handsTrue Blue wrote:He always looked like he was caught skipping Sunday school by his overbearing mother.Nieghorn wrote:Back in the day... Keith Lowen, Isaia Toeava
Recent years... Gary Graham
Re: Your most embarrassing overhyping of a player
Never understood why he never got a chance for the Boks.Clogs wrote:Stefan Terreblanche been mentioned?
Re: Your most embarrassing overhyping of a player
Alex Cuthebert was good, then turned to utter utter shit.
Re: Your most embarrassing overhyping of a player
Ahh yeah we were all guilty of that. Big guy and a great nameThomas wrote:I shot ropes over Lloyd Johannson in 2004/05. Thought the dude would be Australia's Tana Umaga.
lol no.

Other examples I can think of:
Rodzilla
David Fitter
Mark Chisholm
Peter Kimlin
Timani brothers
Richard Kingi
Luke Burgess
Josh Holmes
Jonah Placid
Brett Stapleton
Jack Debreczini
Probably loads more
Edit - Luke Jones also had a lot of hype but he never lived up to it.
Re: Your most embarrassing overhyping of a player
Well that's not embarrassing. Cuthbert actually was good for a bit, nobody could have seen how shit he'd turn.Clive wrote:Alex Cuthebert was good, then turned to utter utter shit.