Does Rugby have a Superstar?
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There was a bit of talk around Siya Kolisi after the 2019 RWC become the poster boy for rugby. He had an incredible backstory, an easy way with the media and stood for impressive values. He was even signed to Jay-Z's agency. But his feats on the field weren't really highlight reel stuff.
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@No-Quarter said in Does Rugby have a Superstar?:
@Kirwan yep he even had a Big Mac named after him!
As a measure of superstardom I'm not sure what can top this, brilliant benchmark.
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No one has come close to the impact that Jonah made on the game IMO. Even in an era that had no social media etc his highlight reels went viral, to the point where teams like the Dallas Cowboys were firing contract offers through.
Dan Carter is probably the next biggest star but his form was a bit up and down in his last years before he finished with a bang.
If Anton Du Pont wins the WC this year he’s probably the next global rugby star if he isn’t already.
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On the eve of a RWC, Habana called a fellow winger (an AB that wasn't Lomu) a superstar once, that probably didn't age well.
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@sparky said in Does Rugby have a Superstar?:
Not necessary a superstar, but Sébastien Chabal built up his brand well and has clearly made a ton of money from advertising since he hung up his boots.
He should be in medical books for having the longest wingspan in the world too. Apparently he could scratch his ankles without bending over.
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@Canes4life said in Does Rugby have a Superstar?:
Dan Carter is probably the next biggest star but his form was a bit up and down in his last years before he finished with a bang.
DC has stories in autobiography of him and his wife being invited by Elton John to his Oscars after-party and being introduced to lots of Hollywood types who had no idea who he was.
Similarly. Rory McIlroy saw him in the gym at Augusta and wanted a photo together.
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I think we can still have superstar, but even as @mariner4life said at start ,Jonah would get shit these days as well, he got enough in his day without internet. If I got a beer from every know all that used to say he was to slow to turn etc, and if he/they coached/played against him they would just kick behind him etc. I used to laugh and ask well why don't you think all these test coaches in the world don't tell their players to do that very thing?
I think same about most players, we really have very little idea watching on tv how good they are, but really most are bloody good players, but as said, if someone in there head decides they want someone else , will find any little mistake and remember it for ever and a day.
But not sure we have had a genuine superstar since Jonah, who was actually bigger than the game I think. -
Imho it comes down to the highlight reel. Rugby fans could fap endlessly at McGod's feats but casuals didn't get it. Even fewer would appreciate what a front rower does (although they're mostly fat unmarketable fůckers for the most part). Another would be a guy like Itoje. Has the look but line out steals and great work in rucks and mauls don't have mass appeal. So to stand out in rugby you need to either be a massive unit utterly laying waste to people ala Lomu or someone with a crazy skill set like Carter, Cullen or Caucau carving up. I've heard a heap of comments about BB from casuals. Actually I remember showing that 2015 final try to a bunch of Spaniards and they were amazed.
I guess for NZ the best candidate right now would be Jordan. 2 years ago I would have said Clarke.
But I can't see anyone coming close to Jonah in terms of global identity. The timing, look, size, feats etc. were insanely perfect.
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@Rancid-Schnitzel said in Does Rugby have a Superstar?:
Caucau
reckon he was one player with the right management and guiding could have been huge, alas, for differing reasons, I dont think the world saw the best of either Lomu or Caucau.
I think most pundits who name thier best 15, usually have Lomu in the team (insert obligatory Saffas saying he never scored against them)...he may not have been even close to the best winger of his generation, but he was the biggest rugby player.
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@taniwharugby said in Does Rugby have a Superstar?:
@Rancid-Schnitzel said in Does Rugby have a Superstar?:
Caucau
reckon he was one player with the right management and guiding could have been huge, alas, for differing reasons, I dont think the world saw the best of either Lomu or Caucau.
I think most pundits who name thier best 15, usually have Lomu in the team (insert obligatory Saffas saying he never scored against them)...he may not have been even close to the best winger of his generation, but he was the biggest rugby player.
I will always remember being in San Francisco in 90s , wearing an a NZ rugby jersey, and a man who was begging on side of road seeing the jersey, and looked at jersey and said 'ahhh NZ, Jonah Lomu"! What I meant about probably bigger than game, bit like Maradona etc , I don't know hardly any soccer players, and don't watch, but know of him etc.
Why even Richie or Dan C don't make the superstar rating, not really known ouside of game? -
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@MN5 said in Does Rugby have a Superstar?:
I do wonder why Cullens aura isn’t quite up there with Jonahs.
Is it cos he kinda bombed out a bit in the only World Cup he ever played in ?
A casual fan would have easily look at him and marvelled at how good he was.
I don't think he ever got a chance to be exposed to a global audience. If he'd done the insane shit of 96-97 at the 99 world cup then it might have been different. Instead he played at 13........................................................................
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@mikedogz said in Does Rugby have a Superstar?:
One way to measure how big a star a player is, is their social media following. Going by Instagram only Dan Carter and SBW are 1mil. Kolisi and Beauden are the highest current players at 710k and 680k. Dwarfed by the numbers of the football superstars.
Yes but you'd have to scrape SBW's following across 2 and a half sports?
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It’s definitely “highlight” type guys who have the potential to be stars.
I mean, everyone used to rave about Bill Cavubati and Bull Allen and all the cool shit they did with the ball in hand.
But would anyone who knows rugby select them over Richard Loe and Olo Brown ?
( I probably would until I read the fern )
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I'm not convinced Richard Loe would spend much time on the pitch in the modern-reffed game.
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Guys like Tupou and Asafo Aumua are ones that were starting off on the right trajectory, but the talent that got them highlight reels in their youth ends up being lost to tight, defensive test rugby.
It's generally going to be the guys who are freaks in their position and generally consistently do what others don't.
So it's going to be a front rower that runs like a barnstorming number 8, a loosie that flattens people and runs like a centre or a winger that tears opposition to pieces.
In saying that, our biggest superstar will be one of Ardie or Mounga at the RWC, whichever turns it on the most.
