Stuart Hogg looking in incredible shape ahead of rugby comeback

Friday, 03 May 2024 at 16:20

byRugby Rucker

the flashy stuff but was mediocre in other areas."

Former Scotland fullback Stuart Hogg has hinted that he could make a return to rugby next season after shocking everyone with his retirement from the sport last summer.

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The 31-year-old was quick to clarify his desires to return to playing didn't stretch to professional level again.

Speaking on ‘The Big Jim Show’ podcast as a guest, the 100-cap former Scotland full-back, Hogg, found himself in the hot seat when the host, and former Scotland second-row, Jim Hamilton, posed the question: “Are you completely retired from rugby?

Hogg responded: “Will I play professionally again? Probably not,

“Could I have taken a sabbatical? Maybe I could have. But I didn’t want to be in the position of going: ‘I’m going to take this period off and maybe come back’. I needed clarity that I am completely out of it. All in or all out. I couldn’t face sitting now thinking: ‘I’m going to have to continually train to be in a good shape to then come back, I’m going to have to always work on my skills’.

“So, do I do that? Or do I just pull the plug completely, and I thought … well … there wouldn’t be a club in a situation to give me a sabbatical and still pay me money.

“Could I have gone about it a different way? Potentially. But the decision now is that I am retired and I stand by that … physically and mentally I wasn’t there.

"I think I’ll play [but] I don’t think I’ll play professional. I might have a little run-out for Hawick next season and see how that goes.”

Hawick would be getting a prime condition Hogg if the 31-year-old's beach pictures tell you anything.

The 20 Most Overrated Rugby Players Of All Time Have Been Named And Ranked By Fans

In the world of rugby debates, the labels ‘overrated’ and ‘underrated’ are about as loaded as they come because the conversation is instantly about more than just their ability on the pitch.

Due to the simple fact that both those tags are related to how much fans sing their praises, it’s sometimes inevitable that great players are called overrated and average ones are underrated.

So, yes, we’re well aware that taking a peek at the ‘most overrated rugby players in history’ is a little like walking into a minefield of controversy, but when has that ever stopped us?

And hey, it’s the fans that we’re looking to here because the voters over at thetoptens.com have been making their opinions.

Most overrated rugby players in history:

20. Owen Farrell

Owen Farrell of England takes a penalty kick during the Autumn International Series match between England and New Zealand at Twickenham, London on 19 November 2022 (Photo: Micah Crook/PPAUK)

19. Semi Radradra

18. Bryan Habana

17. Sam Warburton

16. Billy Vunipola

15. Cheslin Kolbe

14. Paul O'Connell

13. Schalk Burger

12. Maro Itoje

Woodward wants Maro Itoje back in the second-row

11. James Haskell

10. Sonny Bill Williams

10. Chris Ashton

"Lazy player with a terrible workrate, decent positioning at times that sees him finish off the good work of other players and get all the undeserved credit. Poor tackler too."

” That man lived off his ‘solo’ try against Australia and managed to get in the England team every time. He couldn’t tackle a crossword! Lacks creativity and only works running a line of a short pass from number ten. Overrated definitely!”

Jack Goodhue of New Zealand is held in the tackle by Maro Itoje of England and Chris Ashton of England during the Quilter International Match between England and New Zealand at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on 10th November 2018. - PHOTO: Gareth Davies/PPAUK

9. James O'Connor

8. George North

"He had a few good years between 2011-2013 and then he has died down. Hasn't looked good as the commentary teams make him out to be."

"George bloody North!"

"I think it's important to separate the player he was back in 2013, with the player he became once injury and loss of form hit. Definitely overrated though, but I think that's the media's fault."

7. Manu Tuilagi

6. Alun Wyn Jones

"Maybe he got so many caps as there's been such a paucity of Welsh second rows. Maybe."

"At this point he only gets chosen because Wales Online will go nuclear and blow up Cardiff if he doesn't"

"I really really really don't understand why he is rated so highly"

"H'es been a great player. But he should have been nowhere near the starting jersey for the Lions in my opinion."

One fan argue back, saying: "Maybe he’s got 12 lions caps in a row, won numerous 6N championships, been nominated for world player of the year twice 4 years apart, and is the record cap holder in history because he is one of the greatest locks of all time...maybe.

"If there’s one player in world rugby who has caused more people to have egg on their faces after writing him off and downplaying his rugby ability, it’s AWJ."

5. Finn Russell

4. Danny Cipriani

3. Gavin Henson

2. Sergio Parisse

"Going to be controversial but Sergio Parisse. Sure he had fantastic skills but he was a show pony and not a work horse and people often overlooked this. He looked fantastic for Italy but that was because he was allowed to do all

"I think Parisse got a lot of credit just for being a leader and a quality player in a poor Italy side and was never rated by anyone as anywhere near world class"

"Consistently made world xv teams on scant evidence."

"Never has a cliche ever fit a player more than overrated show pony for Sergio Parisse"

"Honestly.... by the end of his career Parisse."

1. Sebastien Chabal

"The French forward is a player who jumps to mind."

"His appearance was half his reputation. Whenever he was given the appropriate attention he folded."

"Talented athlete who put in the odd big tackle but when push came to shove he always seemed to wilt away from the physical side of the game."