Most underrated player(current and past) in your opinion?

themont85

IMO its got to be Will Greenwood. He made three Lions tours, 1997, 2001 and 2005. He got over 50 caps for England, winning a Slam and most importantly the World Cup. He was a perennial member of Woodward's sides from 1999 onwards.

Yet I don't think it was ever appreiciated just how good he was. In many ways, for a Lion of three tours to get just 3 tests and a couple of those as a replacement is odd. He of course though was unfortunate to have another English great Guscott and Welshman Gibbs when he was a young tyro in 1997. In 2001 onwards he would have one of the greatest ever centres in O'Driscoll blocking the way.

For England he was often overlooked. In a team where Dallaghio and the back row, Johnson, Wilkonson and Robinson got a lot of the plaudits he was often overlooked. He scored a more than healthy 31 tries for England. His style was unique, he had decent pace and height with a good skill set, he was central to a lot of great English rugby at the start of the millenium

So who do you think is underrated? What do you think of my choice....

corny

Never felt Mils Mulliaina got half the credit he deserved in his early career. The guys consistently been a fantastic player.

Stephen Larkham too. Brilliant playmaker.

Keith Gleeson? Maybe just by EOS though.

thomond2006

John Hayes.

holidayhere

Remember David May for United in the mid 1990.
It was rumoured that Mickey Mouse used to wear a David May watch.

thomond2006

soccer forum

---->>>>>> that way

waraf

corny wrote: »

Keith Gleeson? Maybe just by EOS though.

Talking of players not appreciated by EOS you've gotta mention Geordan Murphy and Trevor Brennan

anonymous_joe

Trevor Brennan, Geordan Murphy, Bob Casey, Shane Jennings, Leo Cullen.

Wonder what they all have in common...

sickpuppy

2 things joe playing in england or Fra nce Brennan and all leinster players?

chupacabra

Tom Shanklin

anonymous_joe

sickpuppy wrote: »

2 things joe playing in england or Fra nce Brennan and all leinster players?

I meant the playing abroad.

They sprang to my mind because they were Leinster lads, but I'd also add Eoin Reddan and Mike Ross to the list too.

(But not Staunton. :P)

JQ25

Good call anonymous joe... Good Call!

Stev_o

themont85 wrote: »

IMO its got to be Will Greenwood. He made three Lions tours, 1997, 2001 and 2005. He got over 50 caps for England, winning a Slam and most importantly the World Cup. He was a perennial member of Woodward's sides from 1999 onwards.

Yet I don't think it was ever appreiciated just how good he was. In many ways, for a Lion of three tours to get just 3 tests and a couple of those as a replacement is odd. He of course though was unfortunate to have another English great Guscott and Welshman Gibbs when he was a young tyro in 1997. In 2001 onwards he would have one of the greatest ever centres in O'Driscoll blocking the way.

For England he was often overlooked. In a team where Dallaghio and the back row, Johnson, Wilkonson and Robinson got a lot of the plaudits he was often overlooked. He scored a more than healthy 31 tries for England. His style was unique, he had decent pace and height with a good skill set, he was central to a lot of great English rugby at the start of the millenium

So who do you think is underrated? What do you think of my choice....

Greenwood is a class act and i doubt England will produce the likes of him for another good while the guy had it all really. Didn't he and BOD play together during the 2001 Lions tour during the midweek before he got injured? Anyway for a inside centre his try record is amazing 31 tries in 55 caps is something else.

chupacabra

Stev_o wrote: »

Greenwood is a class act and i doubt England will produce the likes of him for another good while the guy had it all really. Didn't he and BOD play together during the 2001 Lions tour during the midweek before he got injured? Anyway for a inside centre his try record is amazing 31 tries in 55 caps is something else.

And of course, without him, Sky's rugby coverage would be dull, boring and totally biased. He is one of the best panelists/co-commentators around. Anyone remember England v France at the world cup? "François Mitterrand! Michel Platini! Your boys took one hell of a beating! WOOHOOO *throws his papers in the air*" brilliant.

Stev_o

chupacabra wrote: »

And of course, without him, Sky's rugby coverage would be dull, boring and totally biased. He is one of the best panelists/co-commentators around. Anyone remember England v France at the world cup? "François Mitterrand! Michel Platini! Your boys took one hell of a beating! WOOHOOO *throws his papers in the air*" brilliant.

I watched Setanta's coverage

Ill never forget the MOK shout during the Wasps game "Everyone in Ireland is cheering go on my son!" as MOK made a run towards the try line ludicrously funny.

chupacabra

Stev_o wrote: »

I watched Setanta's coverage

Ill never forget the MOK shout during the Wasps game "Everyone in Ireland is cheering go on my son!" as MOK made a run towards the try line ludicrously funny.

Actually i stand corrected as it was the ITV coverage that Greenwood worked on during the RWC. I remember hating it because the presenter looked like a penguin.

EDIT:
There we go, Jim Rosenthal.. penguin extrordinaire.

Royale with Cheese

anonymous_joe

Henson's suffered the ignomy of being both over and under-rated.

He's a superbly talented player, whose done a lot in his career, but could and should have done more.

Amazotheamazing

Anthony Foley. Complete genius on the pitch, bizarrely dropped for Ireland over and over again.

anonymous_joe

Amazotheamazing wrote: »

Anthony Foley. Complete genius on the pitch, bizarrely dropped for Ireland over and over again.

He had like 60 caps? And happened to be playing at the same time as Costelloe and Miller, who could both play number 8, and that trio made for some of the best number 8s in the world at the time.

Sort of like Scotland with Cusiter and Mike Blair. Sadly someone has to lose out.

Judgement Day

ROG - at least on Boards.ie!

Trojan

Me. I'm consistently underrated by my team year in, year out.