most overrated player and team in the 6 nations

[madflyhalf]

First underrated Six Nations player that comes to mind for me is Alessandro Zanni. He's an awesome defender, particuarly around the edges of the breakdown. The guy pretty much throws himself at every loose ball too, regardless of the danger he puts himself in by doing this. Pity he won't ever get much in the way of recognition though. Parisse will always be lauded by fans because he's a, "flash" loose forward, (Don't get me wrong, Parisse is obviously excellent) while Zanni his partner is more of a gritty, hard working flanker. The fact that he plays for Italy and Treviso doesn't help his case for acknowledgement either unfortunately. He's also come at a time when Europe is filled with quality 6's, Ferris, Lydiate, Dusatoir etc.

Totally agree!

And I think it's Zanni's work at breakdown and rucks that allows Parisse to play loose as he uses to. And sometimes he does it too much, as against France, but against England he played tighter and the result has been MOM performance.
But I always think this must be shared with Zanni's too.

Here in Italy many looks at Irish backrower and raising star Sean O'Brien, and the well known Jamie Heaslip, but for me the most important and underrated player in Irish loose trio is Stephen Ferris.
He's the George Foreman of rugby: he takes every single ball carrier of the opposite team and dismantles him phisically!

 

[Feicarsinn]

Totally agree!

And I think it's Zanni's work at breakdown and rucks that allows Parisse to play loose as he uses to. And sometimes he does it too much, as against France, but against England he played tighter and the result has been MOM performance.
But I always think this must be shared with Zanni's too.

Here in Italy many looks at Irish backrower and raising star Sean O'Brien, and the well known Jamie Heaslip, but for me the most underrated player in Irish team is Stephen Ferris.
He's the George Foreman of rugby: he takes every single ball carrier of the opposite team and dismantles him phisically!

Stephen Ferris ain't underrated over here anyways, we see him as just shy of Kaino in terms of world class 6's. He's a right wrecking ball.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Stephen Ferris ain't underrated over here anyways, we see him as just shy of Kaino in terms of world class 6's. He's a right wrecking ball.

Just shy? puh.

 

[psychic duck]

SOB got far more recognition than Ferris has ever done, yet Ferris in my opinion is better and more deserving of more recognition, which he's only lately started getting

 

[Seaton]

England

Via IP Address? Might he/ she have originated from Aus and been kicked out for being too good natured?

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Via IP Address? Might he/ she have originated from Aus and been kicked out for being too good natured?

Ah, I thought you meant North :lol:

 

[Peat]

First underrated Six Nations player that comes to mind for me is Alessandro Zanni. He's an awesome defender, particuarly around the edges of the breakdown. The guy pretty much throws himself at every loose ball too, regardless of the danger he puts himself in by doing this. Pity he won't ever get much in the way of recognition though. Parisse will always be lauded by fans because he's a, "flash" loose forward, (Don't get me wrong, Parisse is obviously excellent) while Zanni his partner is more of a gritty, hard working flanker. The fact that he plays for Italy and Treviso doesn't help his case for acknowledgement either unfortunately. He's also come at a time when Europe is filled with quality 6's, Ferris, Lydiate, Dusatoir etc.

That's a good shout. I remember when he played 8 with Parisse out too, was very good then making hard yards.

 

[Luimneach18]

Stephen Ferris ain't underrated over here anyways, we see him as just shy of Kaino in terms of world class 6's. He's a right wrecking ball.

Yeah you damn right Stephen Ferris is a animal when hes on his game!

 

[madflyhalf]

SOB got far more recognition than Ferris has ever done, yet Ferris in my opinion is better and more deserving of more recognition, which he's only lately started getting

Yes, this is what I meant before!
Not necessarly underrated (especially in UK and Ireland), but sometimes he looks like an unsung hero in that team, even in his own country!

 

[mstar]

Yes Ferris has been great this season. I like to put Dan parks as overrated, at best he was never world class level.

 

[psychic duck]

I like to put Dan parks as overrated, at best he was never world class level.

are you kidding? Parks is one of the most non rated players there are, basically 95% of Cardiff Blues fans would love to see the back of him

and nobody has ever called him world class, to be overrated you need to be rated in the first place

 

[bushytop]

Funny how the world has forgot about Gavin Henson... his name wouldv'e been plastered all over this thread a few years back (& he's still in the squad).

Always felt the criticism was a bit harsh myself.

 

[mstar]

Does danny cipriani also come into that bracket? he was rated once

 

[HowieLO6]

Does danny cipriani also come into that bracket? he was rated once

As having First Class potential, Third Class attitude and bottom of class for tackling.

And, correct me if i'm wrong, but hasn't he slipped through the net, as far as England's 6Nations squad goes?


As far as current players go, I would mention Hartley as overrated, but i'm fast becoming indifferent to him. Doesn't have much in the way of top-tier competition for the number 2 jersey and all too often crosses the fine line between being combative/tenacious and just being a bit of a dick.

 

[Seaton]

are you kidding? Parks is one of the most non rated players there are, basically 95% of Cardiff Blues fans would love to see the back of him

and nobody has ever called him world class, to be overrated you need to be rated in the first place

To be fair, when on form his tactical and goal kicking is up there with the best of them.

Was beautiful watching him put a kick from well inside his own half about a foot out from the touchline deep in the enemy 22.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

And, correct me if i'm wrong, but hasn't he slipped through the net, as far as England's 6Nations squad goes?

Not really: Bit of a commute from Melbourne to Surrey for training...

 

[bushytop]

Surprised Johnno didn't take Cipriani to the world cup... with his off field history he wouldv'e fitted right in.

 

[Seaton]

Surprised Johnno didn't take Cipriani to the world cup... with his off field history he wouldv'e fitted right in.

Ding ding ding ding ding!

We have a winner!

 

[Feicarsinn]

SOB got far more recognition than Ferris has ever done, yet Ferris in my opinion is better and more deserving of more recognition, which he's only lately started getting

The fact that up until recently Ferris has been unable to put a decent string of games together has a lot to do with that. There was a lot of hype (and deservedly so) about him around the Lions tour, only for him to go and get crocked again. Playing for a team that hadn't enjoyed much success at all up until last season didn't help either.

 

[big ginger 8]

IMO Ferris is the best blindside in the world but it is tight between him and Kaino.