Serious topic here. Whilst it's not necessarily the case for all players I swear when the media starts talking players up it's when things start happening for them. The media 9 times out of 10 always either overrates or underrates players and I swear some players have just got Super Rugby Status and even an ABs call up purely because the media talks them up and then everyone jumps the bandwagon and says how good so and so is. There are some immense players at even ITM Cup level who just never get any attention - therefore no body apart from the hardcores know of their abilities and thus nothing really happens for them.
Agree that the media talks players up, which results in them getting more attention (both from the media and from the public). I don't think this has much bearing at all on their actual on field success though. Sure their successes might get more publicity than others but I'd never agree that a player you consider to be shit got a crack in the ABs because of media hype, for example. We've got professional selectors who pick based on their own opinions/experience, not because of media hype.
1) Sam Cane? Chiefs play Latimer ahead of him. 2) Guptil for test cricket the media was demanding it after his ODI century. Franklin for tests after a 90 odd in an ODI. 3) In the 1980s there was a loose forward for auckland who played at 7 after michael jones retired. He was very average but was bigged up - Heef or Fiery help a brother out here. I want to say Henderson but I can't remember a first name. 4) aaron smith selected on hype and potential. Strangely came good. 5) Ryan Crotty. 6) Victor Vito 7) Mitchel Johnson. He was supposed to be the next michael holding. 8) Jamie McIntosh 9) Jarrod H can't spell his last name 10) Tom Donnelly 11) Brendon Leonard bigged up by the media and getting Piri's spot on the basis of some shit intercept try. 12) McCahill 13) Craig Innis and his crash ball 14) Luke Romano being a tough guy
It defo happens, sometimes gives players confidence or a lack thereof that changes their performances too. Doesn't last forever though.
The following are underrated by the media and deserve more attention 1) Rene Ranger in any position he wants 2) Flash 3) TKB 4) Nonu 5) Dagg - I think he is even better than the media realises. 6) Conrad Smith 7) The ND Keeper who is retired now having a memory blank. Oh Peter McGlashan. Never got a look in and should have been a limited overs stalwart.
Tom Taylor the prime recent example for my money. I presume Hurricane was referring to Jarrod Hoeata?
Yes that's him Heef. I remember after a particularly dramatic probables vs possibles game Peter Williams of the media enthusiastically said "Congratulations Craig you have tackled your way into a black jersey son". And then he was picked so that was an example of the media putting pressure on the selectors. Should bring back probables vs possibles. For those who may not know it as I havn't seen it in some years. Most of the "expected" players go into the probables with a sprinkling in the possibles. And all the prospective bolters go into the possibles. Peeps like grant fox were rested.
Yeah it was awesome. I was too young to truly appreciate the games but loved the concept. Seem to remember Umaga having to sit out due to a cold - I was gutted.
