Sergio Parisse

This guy is a legend. One of the finest no8s the game has seen.

What do you think of him? Is he one of the best? Does he only stand out because he is surrounded by mediocre players? Would his performances improve if he was surrounded by quality players (e.g. if he was playing for the All Blacks). Has playing for a tier two team improved/lessened how we view him?

I think he's got a lot to be pleased about:
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/rugby-gold/gallery-fn8tki1o-1226138145108?page=2

Yes he played well and rather than put him in some team comparison consider what he's doing to bring up the standards of Italian rugby. If Italy get up this weekend theyll be one of possibly two (assuming England and Ireland dont draw) that can win a GS.
The inspiration must be having on the rugby youth of Italy has to have some follow on impacts if he inspires those sort of results. I thought he was excellent.

Awesome on Sunday. Bar getting handed off by Picamoles for his try he played his opposite number (and everyone else) off the pitch. Amazing player.

He has been the best player in NH for a few years.

Theres alot of people getting carried away after the weekend. From the Zebo flick (which was a simple soccer move) to Parisse being the best 8 in the world etc.

I was, for once, not impressed on Sunday. His workrate was down and he seemed to spend more time hanging around on the right wing rather than getting stuck in at the breakdowns.

Perhaps this was the plan, and certainly when he had the ball he was very prominent (though less said about his attempts to tackle Picamoles the better). It does mean though that the other players have to work that much harder to alllow Parisse to shine.

Agreed Profitius - it's the usual 6Nations/Lions fever, for which there is no apparent cure. We just need a double shot of perspective and tonic and just put up with the squeals that Zebo is now the best winger ever.

Wait until Tualgi has a quiet game and watch the talk erupt about England's centre "crisis".

George Carlin wrote:A We just need a double shot of perspective and tonic and just put up with the squeals that Zebo is now the best winger ever.
.

Surely that is Visser, Robinson, Cuthbert, North, Ashton umm, well someone.

You missed Wade tiger

I was going to put him in, then decided that you had to at least be capped to qualify

Obviously a great win for Italy last weekend (hopefully not followed up at Murrayfield) but I wonder if Parisse has ever wished he pursued international rugby with Argentina instead?

He is the best 8 in the world.

LondonTiger wrote:I was going to put him in, then decided that you had to at least be capped to qualify

It should be noted that the (perceived) quality of english backs decreases with the number of caps awarded, especially the first. Varndells reputation has taken a long time to recover from his brief foray into the world of test rugby.
People used to think Jamie Noon was a classy player.

MacKnocked-on wrote:Obviously a great win for Italy last weekend (hopefully not followed up at Murrayfield) but I wonder if Parisse has ever wished he pursued international rugby with Argentina instead?

I doubt that was ever really an option for him. Whilst born in Argentina, to Italian parents, he always considered himself to be Italian and (perhaps influenced by the amateur nature of Argentinian domestic rugby back then) returned to Italy to play rugby at 17, being first capped the following year. That gave him the opportunity to showcase his talents and enable the move to Stade Francais.

MacKnocked-on wrote:Obviously a great win for Italy last weekend (hopefully not followed up at Murrayfield) but I wonder if Parisse has ever wished he pursued international rugby with Argentina instead?

Have you never seen him sing the national athem?? The guy only thinks of himself as Italian.

Same with Castrogiovani, you dont see him opening a chain of Argentinian steak houses.

[quote="LeinsterFan4life" Have you never seen him sing the national athem?? The guy only thinks of himself as Italian.[/quote]

TBF Ive seen Waldrom sing the national anthem....but then it is also (one of ) the New Zealand anthem

Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler wrote:
TBF Ive seen Waldrom sing the national anthem....but then it is also (one of ) the New Zealand anthem

And what a sight. It takes about 10 minutes for his chins to stop wobbling.

Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler wrote:[quote="LeinsterFan4life" Have you never seen him sing the national athem?? The guy only thinks of himself as Italian.

TBF Ive seen Waldrom sing the national anthem....but then it is also (one of ) the New Zealand anthem

[/quote]Parisse doesn't just stand there like a statue and sing it. He has his hand the crest and you can really see the passion in his eyes.

Friends from that part of the world gave me the definition of an Argentinian as an Italian who speaks Spanish and wants to be an Englishman

Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler wrote:Same with Castrogiovani, you dont see him opening a chain of Argentinian steak houses.

Castro os differen from an interview I seen of him he does sound like he would have liked to have played for Argentina but Italy snapped him up very quick at a young age. He has no regrets though.

LeinsterFan4life wrote:

Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler wrote:Same with Castrogiovani, you dont see him opening a chain of Argentinian steak houses.

Castro os differen from an interview I seen of him he does sound like he would have liked to have played for Argentina but Italy snapped him up very quick at a young age. He has no regrets though.

Course he doesn't. He's just signed for Toulon for one miiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiillion dollars.

I know its a bit harsh but the only difference between the two has been the Argies doing better in the world cup. Up until last year the agries only had AIs to showcase talent.

dallym wrote:This guy is a legend. One of the finest no8s the game has seen.

What do you think of him? Is he one of the best? Does he only stand out because he is surrounded by mediocre players? Would his performances improve if he was surrounded by quality players (e.g. if he was playing for the All Blacks). Has playing for a tier two team improved/lessened how we view him?

Hi guy

This is instulting to Italy rugby. All player 1 - 22 played very very good. I agree Parisse is inspirational leader but it was a big team game Vs France.

I predict Italia finish top half of table

Vicenzo

Benvenuto a 606v2, Vicenzo.

grazie

That accent is familiar. Tell me, have we met before?

Submachine wrote:That accent is familiar. Tell me, have we met before?

It certainly rings a bell.

He was outstanding on Sunday

His workrate is immense, he carries very well and has a rugby brain to match the new zealanders.

He puts 100% into every game for Italy and shows great passion to wear the jersey - he should be an inspiration for all.

Best in the world? He is certainly top 2 with Read - and after the weekends current form - I would rather Parisse in my team.

I wouldnt...but he was very good.

Welcome Vicenzo and well said.

These boards need more of the Italian perspective so I hope youre up for it.

vicenzolaquilarugby wrote:

dallym wrote:This guy is a legend. One of the finest no8s the game has seen.

What do you think of him? Is he one of the best? Does he only stand out because he is surrounded by mediocre players? Would his performances improve if he was surrounded by quality players (e.g. if he was playing for the All Blacks). Has playing for a tier two team improved/lessened how we view him?

Hi guy

This is instulting to Italy rugby. All player 1 - 22 played very very good. I agree Parisse is inspirational leader but it was a big team game Vs France.

I predict Italia finish top half of table

Vicenzo

Welcome to the boards. You're in for a rough ride if you find that insulting!

Every team has those players that make others up their game. Their X-Factor players; players that each nation has that are still part of the team, but seem to be distinguished in someway for being either sublime in their position or always go over & above.

Having Parisse & Castro as icons of Italian Rugby isn't a bad thing!

MacKnocked-on wrote:Obviously a great win for Italy last weekend (hopefully not followed up at Murrayfield) but I wonder if Parisse has ever wished he pursued international rugby with Argentina instead?

How could he possibly play for Argentina when they already have the best 8 in the world playing for them in Lobbe? At least according to 606 last month...

yappysnap wrote:

MacKnocked-on wrote:Obviously a great win for Italy last weekend (hopefully not followed up at Murrayfield) but I wonder if Parisse has ever wished he pursued international rugby with Argentina instead?

How could he possibly play for Argentina when they already have the best 8 in the world playing for them in Lobbe? At least according to 606 last month...

Lobbe plays a lot of his games at 6, Leonardo Senatore is the Argentinian 8

yappysnap wrote:

MacKnocked-on wrote:Obviously a great win for Italy last weekend (hopefully not followed up at Murrayfield) but I wonder if Parisse has ever wished he pursued international rugby with Argentina instead?

How could he possibly play for Argentina when they already have the best 8 in the world playing for them in Lobbe? At least according to 606 last month...

Lobbe was unreal in the 4n!!!!!

He was at 6 for the autumn, and 8 during the 4Ns

Senatore is usually captain at 8 when Lobbe isn't playing.

Lobbe, Read and Parisse have been the best 8s over the last 12 months

Heaslip, Picamoles, Faletau, Alberts have a fair bit of catching up to do.

Look at his stats against France, 1 kick, 6 passes, 10 runs, 104 m run, 3 clean breaks, 11 tackles non missed 3 lineouts including one steal
http://www.espnscrum.com/six-nations-2013/rugby/match/133784.html

lostinwales wrote:Friends from that part of the world gave me the definition of an Argentinian as an Italian who speaks Spanish and wants to be an Englishman

That's because everyone wants to be English..............

doctor_grey wrote:

lostinwales wrote:Friends from that part of the world gave me the definition of an Argentinian as an Italian who speaks Spanish and wants to be an Englishman

That's because everyone wants to be English..............

...I don't. I want to like England but I find it hard sometimes.

C'mon, mate. Just having a laugh. Seemed like a funny thing to say.

doctor_grey wrote:C'mon, mate. Just having a laugh. Seemed like a funny thing to say.

Don't worry Doc I'm only messing too, kinda, I am Irish after all.

Scarbi is out of the Scotland clash and Canale is a doubt

Perhaps Parisse can play in the centres.

GunsGerms wrote:

doctor_grey wrote:C'mon, mate. Just having a laugh. Seemed like a funny thing to say.

Don't worry Doc I'm only messing too, kinda, I am Irish after all.

no worries.
But I can't understand why anyone wouldn't want to be English - after all, we invented Mr. Blobby. Something to be proud of, eh mate?

True doc, and all our DNA orginates from Mr Webb Ellis so we all are already kind of 'English'...we tend to forget that now and then.

Ooops...look out for the ankle biters...

Taylor, just saw your comment, and I agree at least 1000%.

Those of you in the diaspora are still cousins and distant kin. Mother England never forgets you, even if many of our remote kin do so from time to time. Just remember, Mother England will always love and embrace you. She still cares, and will always welcome you home at any time. In her heart of hearts she holds you close to her ample bosom, whether you are aware or not. Deep within the core of your being, she lives! And it radiates some of the goodness which you show people each day. She clearly sees the competition between our selves as nothing more than a fraternal scrap within the family, which have heppened throughout history. Families have kerfuffles ans scuffles. But still family we are. And in all, Mother England knows. And cares.

Our current steward and servant for Mother England, Her Beloved Majesty, Elizabeth II Regina, knows you and would love you to come home even for a short time to top up your emotional and psychological spirit. A pilgrimage to the veritable fountain of life. Elizabeth II Regina, has sacrificed much to ensure the children of Mother Engand recognise our 'oneness' and maintain and embellish these bonds. For eternity.

Fear not the ankle biters, they are the unloved or those who ruefully reject thier kinship. They go through their lives in their pit of despair. Without repentance, they will never transcend to Avalon upon the death of their earthy body. And mentioning Avalon, clearly Eden was the first attempt - not too bad from what i read, but it took Englishmen, true of heart, and in service to Mother England to create Camelot and then Avalon - the blessed resting place for all with Mother England in their hearts. I hear through the grapevine, Rugby is played there.................

vicenzolaquilarugby wrote:

dallym wrote:This guy is a legend. One of the finest no8s the game has seen.

What do you think of him? Is he one of the best? Does he only stand out because he is surrounded by mediocre players? Would his performances improve if he was surrounded by quality players (e.g. if he was playing for the All Blacks). Has playing for a tier two team improved/lessened how we view him?

Hi guy

This is instulting to Italy rugby. All player 1 - 22 played very very good. I agree Parisse is inspirational leader but it was a big team game Vs France.

I predict Italia finish top half of table

Vicenzo

Ciao Vincenzo! É un piacere conoscerti! Come vanno le cose?

Good God Dr Gray - get a grip - you are displaying EMOTION.

Is it possible to meet somebody CJ online? I don't want to get all existential, but sometimes it does my head in that I 'know' many on these boards but wouldn't be able to pick a single one out from a crowd.

Well maybe Grey Ghost. The grey bed sheet over him and the anti-English wailings would be a give-away.

I'd say that making someone's acquaintance or getting introduced to someone new is meeting them kia