Players Who Never Lived up to their Hype

Size=everything

Be it because of injury, loss of form or simply never given the chance what players over the years have never lived up to their hype?

Geordan Murphy - Excellent player make no mistake about it but he was touted as having the potential to be one of the all time greats. Flashes of world class but never lived up to the George Best of rugby hype. Obviously very unfortunate with injury, selection calls etc.

Johnny O'Connor - There was a time when O'Connor's place in the Ireland squad was soon to be assured. He was pumelling his way through opposition like they didn't exist. Then the sudden decline

Dennis Leamy - Like Murphy, an excellent player but he is a long way from the player that the NZ media touted as the best 8 in the world. Burst onto the scene with some astounding performances that soon detoriated. Still plenty of time to change this however.

Gary Browne - Was said to have an excellent career ahead of him. The fastest player in Irish rugby he was touted to being an international star. Unfortuantely cruel injuries and an irreplacable centre axis of D'arcy and O'Driscoll meant he never got to realise these ambitions.



Anyone have any more?

outwest

joc got a awful spinaL injury, never got back into wasps team because of haskell and rees,

he was awful unlucky with injuries, i was told he only played in one final with wasp because he kept getting injured, went to connacht and it ended is international carrer, was palying well before xmas,

you can add duffy to that list,

Stev_o

Size=everything wrote: »

Be it because of injury, loss of form or simply never given the chance what players over the years have never lived up to their hype?

Geordan Murphy - Excellent player make no mistake about it but he was touted as having the potential to be one of the all time greats. Flashes of world class but never lived up to the George Best of rugby hype. Obviously very unfortunate with injury, selection calls etc.

Oh come off it, 223 appearances for Leinster starting off as a teenager there and scoring over 548 points and now at the later stage of his career being appointed captain of one of the most prestigious European clubs. Won the Premiership in 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2007, 2009 and back to back HC doubles in 2001 & 2002. 60 + caps for Ireland with something like 18 tries with Ireland and has represented the B&L.

Never lived up to that reputation sure...

Size=everything

Stev_o wrote: »

Oh come off it, 223 appearances for Leinster starting off as a teenager there and scoring over 548 points and now at the later stage of his career being appointed captain of one of the most prestigious European clubs. Won the Premiership in 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2007, 2009 and back to back HC doubles in 2001 & 2002. 60 + caps for Ireland with something like 18 tries with Ireland and has represented the B&L.

Never lived up to that reputation sure...

I never said he wasn't excellent but I think we'd both agree that he won't go down as one of the greatest players to ever play rugby like he was so hyped.

myflipflops

A bit harsh on Leamy and O'Connor I think. O'Connor was hyped up by Wasps and the British media rather than over here. I think he made a good career out of his talent.

Leamy too has performed up to his ability at times for Ireland.

Geordan Murphy looked like he was going to the 2003 World Cup to be one of the stars. He was superb in the lead up to that tournament and then broke his leg in the final warm up v Scotland. That was a pivotal moment in his career in terms of being viewed as real 'great' of the game.

Other I can think of:

Brian O'Riordan from Leinster was hyped as the next Irish scrum half but never took the step up to top level. Roger Wilson was being touted as a great number 8 in his early Ulster days but also has failed to make it to even regular internationl squads.

Is Geordan Murphy not the most "decorated" player in Irish Rugby history?

Stev_o

Deleted User wrote: »

Is Geordan Murphy not the most "decorated" player in Irish Rugby history?

His trophy cabinet is bigger then anyone else in Ireland AFAIK.

thomond2006

Jeremy Staunton

Gavin Henson

Geordan Murphy? He is an excellent player imo.

sm.org

Size=everything wrote: »

I never said he wasn't excellent but I think we'd both agree that he won't go down as one of the greatest players to ever play rugby like he was so hyped.

Sorry what exactly is you definition of hype?

No one in Ireland was blowing him up to the extent of Sky/Barnes were and they think anyone who looks good in the GP is the best in the NH.

Size=everything

sm.org wrote: »

Sorry what exactly is you definition of hype?

No one in Ireland was blowing him up to the extent of Sky/Barnes were and they think anyone who looks good in the GP is the best in the NH.

Hype is hype be it from Ireland, UK, New Zealand etc.

myflipflops

thomond2006 wrote: »

Jeremy Staunton
.

Spot on - billed as the man to bring the flair to the Munster backline for years. Having O'Gara as outhalf competition probably didn't help him.

Size=everything

thomond2006 wrote: »

Geordan Murphy? He is an excellent player imo.

I don't know how many times I have to repeat this.

I stated Murphy is an excellent player *however* did he live up to the hype that he was going to be one of the greatest to ever play the game? No in my opinion.
He probably could of been though was it not for that leg break.

myflipflops

Size=everything wrote: »

Hype is hype be it from Ireland, UK, New Zealand etc.

Then we can just make a list of every player who ever had a half decent game when under the age of 25 in the Guinness Premiership.

Sky have a real tendency to mark these guys for greatnest at the earliest opportunity.

We've been very lucky in Ireland over the last number of years that the guys that were hyped at a young age have come through so well - Luke Fitzgerald, Keith Earls, Cian Healy being three prime examples.

Stev_o

Cillian Willis- Had a brace of games for Leinster before he got injured and it fell apart from there on in.

Gavin Henson anyone?

RHunce

If it wasn't for Ross O'Carroll-Kelly's good looks and killer charm he'd be playing at ten for ireland this six nations.

But in all seriousness I think Andrew Trimble has been a let down, but saying that has been terribly unlucky with injuries

Andy Goode - put on too much weight and kind of fell off the radar.

Wtf ever happened Henry Paul???

Size=everything

myflipflops wrote: »

Brian O'Riordan from Leinster was hyped as the next Irish scrum half but never took the step up to top level.

I think I read on these forums awhile back that he suffered a succession of nasty injuries that forced him to retire from playing at the top level.

From wiki on him
He is seen by many as a prodigious talent, yet to discover his true form and described by Australian rugby legend Gary Ella as 'the future of Irish scrum-halves'

myflipflops

RHunce wrote: »

Wtf ever happened Henry Paul???

He was sh**e at union.

2040

Brian Carney. (at union that is)

sm.org

Size=everything wrote: »

I don't know how many times I have to repeat this.

I stated Murphy is an excellent player *however* did he live up to the hype that he was going to be one of the greatest to ever play the game? No in my opinion.
He probably could of been though was it not for that leg break.

I dont think anyone with half a brain was hailing him as potentially one of the greatest players of all time.

Eric Miller for me was never the player he could have been. I know he had his share of injuries but he looked like any early version of Heaslip when he bust onto the scene in 96/97

myflipflops

Size=everything wrote: »

I think I read on these forums awhile back that he suffered a succession of nasty injuries that forced him to retire from playing at the top level.
[/I]

Nope, retired voluntarily from full time rugby.

His wiki page also has the followin gon it and is part of the the reason that site is not to be taken as gospel!!

O'Riordan for some time played in Irish guitar band, While You Were Dreaming, releasing several singles under the name of Brian McD.[citation needed] It has been rumoured that Brian will be soon performing with Conor Deasy from The Thrills in April 2007.

Size=everything

myflipflops wrote: »

Nope, retired voluntarily from full time rugby.

I must be thinking of someone else then.

RHunce

myflipflops wrote: »

He was sh**e at union.

didnt know he played league

cheers!

Size=everything

sm.org wrote: »

I dont think anyone with half a brain was hailing him as potentially one of the greatest players of all time.

The English media, Thornley, Serge Blanco to name just a few.

razorblunt

Ben Blair, was being touted as the new Chrsitian Cullen. Not saying he was a disaster, he's become a very solid goal kicker and FB with Cardiff but nowhere near the same class as Cullen.

Michalak is another that comes to mind.

thomond2006

myflipflops wrote: »

He was sh**e at union.

He's still playing union with Leeds Carnegie.

sock puppet

If you're going to use success in competitions as a barometer with Murphy then I don't see how anyone can say how Henson (2 grand slams) or Michalak (2 RWC semi-finals, grand slam and a heineken cup) were overhyped. Both have achieved far more than Murphy.

razorblunt

sock puppet wrote: »

If you're going to use success in competitions as a barometer with Murphy then I don't see how anyone can say how Henson (2 grand slams) or Michalak (2 RWC semi-finals, grand slam and a heineken cup) were overhyped. Both have achieved far more than Murphy.

I never said success can be used as a barometer hence why I picked Michalak.

Roanmore

One of my favourite Irish Rugby players of all time is Mick Fitzgibbon, one of the hardest tackling forwards of his era. Somehow he just disappeared after a couple of seasons but came back again but was never the player he should have been. That was in the day before the internet etc. Great player and while he did live up to the hype for a while he could have been one of Ireland's best ever forwards. Does anybody else remeber him?

thebaz

myflipflops wrote: »

Nope, retired voluntarily from full time rugby.

His wiki page also has the followin gon it and is part of the the reason that site is not to be taken as gospel!!

O'Riordan for some time played in Irish guitar band, While You Were Dreaming, releasing several singles under the name of Brian McD.[citation needed] It has been rumoured that Brian will be soon performing with Conor Deasy from The Thrills in April 2007.

i always felt he had a weak pass - maybe he will follow in Niall Breslins footsteps and make a comeback with the Thrills :rolleyes:

Kaizer Sosa

I think Eric Miller was one of the biggest disappointments for Irish rugby. Had the potential to be amazing but never quite pushed on from that Lions tour he was involved in. I also think Freddie Michalak and even Carlos Spencer. Such imaginative flair players that spectators love to watch but never quite achieved as much as they should have done at the top level, the international game.

Jonah Lomu I suppose never fulfilled his potential although he had little to do with that in fairness. I'll probably be slated for the next guy but in my opinion Joe Rockocko has never fulfilled his hype which may sound ridiculous considering his try scoring achievements with the ABs. I just think for a guy with his natural talent he could have been so much better.

In more recent times, I thought Barry Murphy of Munster was going to be outstanding until he broke his leg. Had serious acceleration and line breaking ability which seems somewhat diminished post leg break.

skregs

Danny Cipriani

wixfjord

skregs wrote: »

Danny Cipriani

Yet. Has all the skills physique and confidence. Could be a great if he gets it together, but shows little sign of doing so. In fairness hes 22 so not exactly past it!

mink_man

justin bishop

thomond2006

Before my time but wasn't Eddie Halvey seriously hyped?

He never made it big.

David Skrela?

Christian Cullen when he came to Munster is a big one albeit through injury.

Aidric

thomond2006 wrote: »

Christian Cullen when he came to Munster is a big one albeit through injury.

Pointless post, Cullen had nothing to prove to anybody.

Het-Field

1.Bob Casey. Out of sight, out of mind. We often hear of his prowess, but that never counted for much.

2.Trevor Brennan. A good player, who's reputation and regular brush with the powers that be ruined him.

3. Matt Moysten. Broke into the Irish team with a Hat-Trick against the Argies in 1999. Completely bombed after that. Never wore the Green of ireland after Lens

4.Keith Gleeson. Injuries really prevented him from peaking around 2005-2007

5.Johnny O Conner. The same applies. However, unlike Gleeson, we never really saw what the big deal was about.

I speak in the context of performances in the Irish jersey

thomond2006

Aidric wrote: »

Pointless post, Cullen had nothing to prove to anybody.

He never lived up to the hype when he arrived in Ireland. I didn't say he had to prove himself..

Digifriendly

thomond2006 wrote: »

He never lived up to the hype when he arrived in Ireland. I didn't say he had to prove himself..

Was reason that he (Christian Cullen) didn't live up to the hype not his injury problems?

razorblunt

Kaizer Sosa wrote: »

In more recent times, I thought Barry Murphy of Munster was going to be outstanding until he broke his leg. Had serious acceleration and line breaking ability which seems somewhat diminished post leg break.

In fairness with Barry Murphy there was no hype around him he didn't come with a reputation he created it himself from very solid performances so I'm not too sure you can say there was hype around him.

Quint

I don't think many Leicester fans would agree with Geordan Murphy.

wixfjord

Quint wrote: »

I don't think many Leicester fans would agree with Geordan Murphy.

Murphy has been class for the tigers in the last few years

Diabhal Beag

Personally for me it was JOC unlucky injuries that really effected his career.

On a world-wide stage it has to be Gavin Henson. He was toutued to be the best player in the world and after that penalty against England he became the main figure for the Welsh plaudits. Fame has ruined his career but I hope he comes back.

jrd

Het-Field wrote: »

1.Bob Casey. Out of sight, out of mind. We often hear of his prowess, but that never counted for much.

Bob Casey has never had a fair chance in the Irish jersey. In terms of the LI performances, and I note you are from Templogue, you will have seen how BC was outstanding in the H Cup for LI and has been superb in the Premiership for them.

thomond2006

Digifriendly wrote: »

Was reason that he (Christian Cullen) didn't live up to the hype not his injury problems?

That's what I said.

My point was they a lot was expected of him, given the legend he was at the time. Unfortunately, injuries ruined his time at Munster.

PhatPiggins

thomond2006 wrote: »

That's what I said.

My point was they a lot was expected of him, given the legend he was at the time. Unfortunately, injuries ruined his time at Munster.

I think the hole is big enough not m8, put the shovel away.

I think the theme of the thread is did nt live up to their hype over the course of their career. Cullen was the greatest 15 to ever play the game.

thomond2006

PhatPiggins wrote: »

I think the hole is big enough not m8, put the shovel away.

I think the theme of the thread is did nt live up to their hype over the course of their career. Cullen was the greatest 15 to ever play the game.

Fair point.

mink_man

andrew trimble.....he was unreal for a while, remember against SA a few years ago....could come great again though.

anonymous_joe

PhatPiggins wrote: »

I think the hole is big enough not m8, put the shovel away.

I think the theme of the thread is did nt live up to their hype over the course of their career. Cullen was the greatest 15 to ever play the game.

In all fairness, there were two halves to Cullen's career. And one half was a total disappointment. I wouldn't be so quick to blame Thomond, because he was a disappointment, though not through his own fault.

I'd throw Henson in there. But like so many, it's because of injuries.

myflipflops

I completely disagree about Henson. The hype was built purely from Welsh sources. Stephen Jones described him in the Sunday Times as 'the best rugby player in Europe' when he wasn't in the Welsh squad. This was just ridiculous local hype. One kick from his own half and one big hit on an 18 year old Matthew Tait weighing 13 stone soaking wet does not make a great player.

He was never that highly rated by the majority of world rugby. I think it's fair to say that he was never considered the best player in the Welsh side in either Grand Slam he was involved in.

If the guy was considered to have real world class potential, there would be no shortage of clubs offering him a few quid to make a comeback in the hope of getting a diamond on the cheap. Instead we have a scenario where Worcester are denying making him an offer.

pappyodaniel

Tom Tierney, ex Munster and Ireland SH didn't reach his potential.

Charlie Hodgson at Sale can do amazing things with a rugby ball, but oh so flakey.

Agreed on Staunton.

Agreed on Geordan Murphy, although i'm a fan i have to say he never dazzled on the international stage.

Pierre Spies IMO is the most over-rated 8 in the world.

Eddie Halvey let himself down badly.

Brian O'Driscoll is a waste of space..... only messin'

RuggieBear

wouldn't really call it not living up to his hype, more not living up to his potential: i'd probably have to go for halvey...imo he could have been the best backrower in the world. saw him dominate matches with his skill, pace and power...freakishly gifted athelete. shame really.