Pick one underrated, exceptional player for your country

[calculon]

Pick one player for your country's national side that you admire and think is underrated internationally or is sligtly overshadowed by the range of excellent players in that position.
i.e. someone that wouldn't normally make a world XV but is the best in your country at what he does.
Remember: The best in your country.
Rules. Write one (not unnecessarily long) sentence about this player and add images and youtube links.

 

[Aedaphon]

Just from an objective standpoint, surely the most underrated (quality) players for each nation won't have been selected for the RWC 30?

It depends how you're defining underrated... Because anyone in an RWC 30 certainly has earned themselves a reputation, at least in the national coaching staff's eyes.

 

[Sam91]

Hard to pick but I'll have to go with Anthony Fainga'a, Plays centre makes many brilliant and try saving tackles (shut down a 5 or 6 on 1 opportunity against AB's last week), pretty awesome at the breakdown for a back and yes quite underrated.



Good image of a quality faingaa hit

 

[calculon]

Just from an objective standpoint, surely the most underrated (quality) players for each nation won't have been selected for the RWC 30?

It depends how you're defining underrated... Because anyone in an RWC 30 certainly has earned themselves a reputation, at least in the national coaching staff's eyes.

underrated internationally..and youtube links..

I'm going with my personal favorite - Rob Kearney, a great attacking option that plays the opponent rather than the line, a warm-hearted person who has been involved with charity (off the pitch)

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

I would like to bring attention to Patrick Lambie. He was only 20 years old when he stole the show during the 2010 Currie Cup final. Playing fly-half, he was responsible for 25 out of the 30 points, including 2 tries. The first one, was pure class, handing off Schalk Burger (see video).

Lambie is a player with a bright future and he is able to play full-back, fly-half and inside-center. I hope he gets to pick a position and stick with it because this little guy has it in him to be world class in a few years!!!

 

[big ginger 8]

But none of these are underrated except maybe just a bit Fainga'a. Everyone one knows what Kearney can do and have for a few years and loads of people from outside S.A. want Lambie to start at 10 so the boks actually play rugby.

Only one I can think of might be Trimble but he's not our best winger. Strong tackler and always breaks the gainline.

 

[DuncTheDoodle]

Dan Lydiate is behind only Dusitoir when it comes to flanker tackles counts in current international rugby (In both the autumn and Six Nations, plus he was top tackler in all four of Wales' summer internationals). Yet nobody seems to care. He's also ery handy when it comes to smashing rucks, something he's really specialised in, yet his buddy Sam Warburton seems to take all the headlines. Lydiate is also a decent enough carrier. Granted, he's no SOB, but he's able to make a few yards of his own.

 

[JW.]

Where did my post go?

 

[WhoDaresWin]

Vereniki Goneva .... plays professionaly in the French 2nd Div, former Fiji 7s captain.

Not lighting fast like Fijian wingers are known for, but he more than makes up for it with his defence and strong sidesteps.

 

[Irishflanker]

It's actually very hard to pick an irish one, Wallace would have been my pick but he is out, Trimble isn't the best in his position but is very underrated. I'm gonna' go with Isaac Boss (Not much between any of our scrumhalves) he offers a nice midway between the TOL type and Reddan, strong in defense, orders his pack well and is a dangerous runner.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1p-WG3yJ5M

 

[profitius]

Donnacha Ryan.

 

[lucky number 7]

I think Luke Fitz is underrated.

 

[Logorrhea]

Donnacha Ryan.

Good call there. And Denis Leamy

99.9% of people who watch rugby think these lads are ****.

 

[calculon]

Good call there. And Denis Leamy

99.9% of people who watch rugby think these lads are ****.

Yeah, Leamy's a tomato in a fruit salad as opposed to say a Mars bar in a fruit salad.

 

[Lusia]

Sona Taumalolo Tongan prop. He is an amazing ball carrying prop forward with good pace. I hope he performs on the world stage. http://youtu.be/z1KyXza22lc

 

[calculon]

Sona Taumalolo Tongan prop. He is an amazing ball carrying prop forward with good pace. I hope he performs on the world stage. http://youtu.be/z1KyXza22lc

looks good in that one, highly specific example, but 'denied' by the ref.

 

[TNT88]

Sam Wykes. He is a linebreaking lock!

If he plays this well again next season I don't know how they cannot pick him in the wallabies squad.