Juan Martin Hernandez...

[Stillknox]

http://www.mondialdurugby.com/IMG/jpg/JuanMartin_Hernandez_fleur.jpg

Don't know how this player is perceived all around the world, but in France, he is recognized as one of the best. Former frenchs players like Denis Charvet or Serge Blanco himself even claims that is simply the best player in the world ! Or at least, the best fullback. And commentators always emphasize on the fact that this is a real chance to have him in our "Top 14".

At the dawn of the world cup, where Argentina can make an upset in the pool of death, what do you think of him ? True genius, talented player but not so much, overated… ? Better at 10 or 15 ?

A few clips for those who don't know him…

http://www.dailymotion.com/relevance/searc...-francais_sport (http://www.dailymotion.com/relevance/search/juan+martin+hernandez/video/x2a8n0_leicester-tigersstade-francais_sport)
His famous try/save against Leicester in this year H-Cup

http://www.dailymotion.com/relevance/searc...hernandez_sport (http://www.dailymotion.com/relevance/search/juan+martin+hernandez/video/x2a9c8_portrait-de-juan-martin-hernandez_sport)
A short vignette by French Television. (in French, sorry)

[Marco Polo]

http://www.mondialdurugby.com/IMG/jpg/JuanMartin_Hernandez_fleur.jpg

Don't know how this player is perceived all around the world, but in France, he is recognized as one of the best. Former frenchs players like Denis Charvet or Serge Blanco himself even claims that is simply the best player in the world ! Or at least, the best fullback. And commentators always emphasize on the fact that this is a real chance to have him in our "Top 14".

At the dawn of the world cup, where Argentina can make an upset in the pool of death, what do you think of him ? True genius, talented player but not so much, overated… ? Better at 10 or 15 ?

A few clips for those who don't know him…

http://www.dailymotion.com/relevance/searc...-francais_sport (http://www.dailymotion.com/relevance/search/juan+martin+hernandez/video/x2a8n0_leicester-tigersstade-francais_sport)
His famous try/save against Leicester in this year H-Cup

http://www.dailymotion.com/relevance/searc...hernandez_sport (http://www.dailymotion.com/relevance/search/juan+martin+hernandez/video/x2a9c8_portrait-de-juan-martin-hernandez_sport)
A short vignette by French Television. (in French, sorry) [/b]



I must agree with those sentiments he is the best No. 15 in the world for me. Haven't seen much of him at 10 but I am sure he is very capable in that position also.

[SaintsFan_Webby]

He's definately one of my favourite players at the moment, but I don't he's yet done enough to displace Latham as the best fullback in world rugby.

Saw the guy come on against Northampton though, and he looked a cut above everyone on the pitch playing at 13. Frightening to think what he could do if he was to be used properly.

[Juggernaut]

Is this the same guy that wants to join Leicester so he can get more game time at No.10??

[Stillknox]

Yes he is.

Apparently, he will finally stay with le Stade Français... wich is a little surprising, Leicester's offer was big and moreover, there are two others internationals n°10 in Paris, Skrela and Beauxis so I don't see him play at this position so often.

[Juggernaut]

What is surprising is that most notable former players (Blanco being a fullback himself) has touted him to be one of the best in that position, BUT why does he insist on switching to 5/8??

I watched the Youtube video and did some googling, he could be the worlds best come RWC time. He's got the speed, strength, defence, kicking game & the flair to shine for the Argies. His time in the Top 14 has greatly develop his skills...

[RC]

He is an absolute joy to watch.
I mean, who can forget this hit: -

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[DonBilly]

He is an absolute joy to watch.
I mean, who can forget this hit: -

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[/b]



Lateral hits are always impressive you don&#39;t have to be too strong to make it impressive actually.

[tituslechmakus]

i would place him as n°15 for paris and n° 10 for argies. just seen him this year in h-cup and he&#39;s been huge at fullback. but for the argies he would be much more competitiv as n°10 as he has an enormous kick (prob the best power together with traille and beauxis in the top 14) and as the argies don&#39;t have a big n°10 (on contrary to paris). he&#39;s defenetly been one of top 14 best players this year.

[RC]

<div class='quotemain'> He is an absolute joy to watch.
I mean, who can forget this hit: -

<object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/0wZArJ0IaJo"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/0wZArJ0IaJo" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>
[/b]



Lateral hits are always impressive you don&#39;t have to be too strong to make it impressive actually.

[/b][/quote]

Shut up.
Is it not a joy to watch?

I rest my case.

[grubber15]

Wow, what a hit. Always heard a lot about him but have never seen him play. By the clips appears to live up to the hype. Will be interesting to see how he goes come world cup time.

[Karmabass]

as the argies don&#39;t have a big n°10
[/b]

Whatnow? Feilpe Contepomi is amazing.

[shtove]

He and Latham are great players. But Hernandez at #10 against France or Ireland? He&#39;s not proven in that position - so, either Hernandez or the nutty professor, Conti, at the helm will be ... interesting.

[paco1]

He and Latham are great players. But Hernandez at #10 against France or Ireland? He&#39;s not proven in that position - so, either Hernandez or the nutty professor, Conti, at the helm will be ... interesting.
[/b]



He won´t play at 10. Here my prediction for Pumas backs:

9 Pichot
10 Todeschini
11 Corleto
12 Contepomi
13 Tiesi
14 Nunez Piosez or Borges
15 Hernandez

And, yes. Hernandez it a t trully class player with the talent to be among the greatests.

[totocalcio]

I&#39;m agree with you Paquirri.

I Think that Fullback is the best position for Hernandez. In this case, I think he&#39;s the best back player in the world.

[bapt]

His best position is fullback. He isn&#39;t good enough on kicking to play nr. 10.
But he&#39;s a great player with a very good flair.

[g05r1436]

Hernandez is awesome.. Haven&#39;t seen him enough on the international stage (as goes for most argentinian players thanks to the idiots at SANZAR), but from what i have seen he is very talented. His tackle on Tuialigi was incredible - what a try saver.. Hope he has a fantastic world cup

[superjb64]

I think hernandez is the best fullback in the world.
He want to play fly half but for me it is not this place because he need many space and in the semi final of top14 betsen close him. At the end all journalist say hernandez don&#39;t do a great match..
It is my opinion

[fab132]

juan hernandez is a best player in rugby world. He has a big kick, his inspiration is very developed. And is a genie

[thelizardking]

Now that he has played two matches, i can say that he is one of the best players of the tournament, and all the people that said they hadnt seen him enough will agree that he is a great player, top class, even though you havent seen him as a fullback.

[shtove]

Those up and unders against France were pure class. Contepomi couldn&#39;t have done that - he would have run the ball, the stupid fool.

[thelizardking]

Contepomi also played a great match (obviusly on the second half, nobody did in the first one), and he had a couple of good runs and breakthroughs. Juan Hernandez is a great player, but some of you are overestimating him, you cant say hes the best player on the wolrd because he simply isnt, but you can say he is one of the best player in the argentinian rugby history and one of the most talented players of the tournament.

[Ivar]

if Fernandez Miranda had given clean balls, Hernandez had done much more yesterday

[thelizardking]

Now its clear that he is one of the best players of the RWC. It was amazing when all the argentinian fans sang Maradooo!! Maradoo!! . Its true, he is in our country the Maradona of rugby.

[the_great13]

fantastic player I see Argentina - Ireland and he makes many drop with left and right foot

[Prestwick]

I notice that the other SH fans have kept largely quiet over this.

Is this out of respect for a new up and coming top ten nation or is this because they&#39;ve seen so little of Hernandez that they don&#39;t know whether to use the usual tactic of dismiss the player and any of his fans out of hand as insane or whether to call him really lucky.

Maybe if Argentina have a good game against New Zealand we&#39;ll see.

[fcukernaut]

I notice that the other SH fans have kept largely quiet over this.

Is this out of respect for a new up and coming top ten nation or is this because they&#39;ve seen so little of Hernandez that they don&#39;t know whether to use the usual tactic of dismiss the player and any of his fans out of hand as insane or whether to call him really lucky.

Maybe if Argentina have a good game against New Zealand we&#39;ll see. [/b]



I don&#39;t know, there was a general consensus that Hernandez was the best fullback in the world, in other threads. I think he is a highly skilled player, and is a much more dynamic fullback than MacDonald or Latham. Personally, I&#39;d rather see him at fullback than at first-five. To me he&#39;s more effective when he has more time. Take for instance during the Ireland game today, when he dropped back he was not only in perfect position, not only did he make great takes, but he was also fantastic in the counter attack. His chip and chase and offload while he was falling to ground was one of the most fantastic individual plays of the tournament.

[Selbstopfer]

Awesome performance versus the Irish, a great player.

[mck]

Agreed, he steered the team himself with his tactical genius. His first drop goal was awesome, and I have to admit I was amazed by his performance; it was the first time I&#39;ve ever seen him play.

[Stillknox]

Well now we know that he can be an excellent fly half too.

Anyone got news about his possible transfer to Leicester ? This man is a joy to watch, I hope he&#39;ll stay at Paris... where I can see him every week :)

[thelizardking]

I think he is staying at SF. The problem here is that he wont play as a flyhalf as he likes, and in Leicester he would. Also he would be trained by Loffreda, so i think he would have preferred to play in Leicester but SF didnt want to sell him.

[ezefachi]

He is definitively a gifted player, just remember that drop goal with the left foot... im still stunned about how natural he plays

[imka]

fantastic player I see Argentina - Ireland and he makes many drop with left and right foot[/b]

I agree, and I think he&#39;s gonna raise up

[Ruggerboy]

he&#39;s definetely going to be one of the stars in this World Cup. My best wishes to the Pumas and Hernandez.
Go Pichot

[seanie]

His best position is fullback. He isn&#39;t good enough on kicking to play nr. 10.
But he&#39;s a great player with a very good flair.

[/b]
I think hernandez is the best fullback in the world.
He want to play fly half but for me it is not this place because he need many space and in the semi final of top14 betsen close him. At the end all journalist say hernandez don&#39;t do a great match..
It is my opinion [/b]



I agree, in my opinion he&#39;s the second best fullback in the word if not the best. He is a very good fly half but I still think his best position is at fullback

[asado]

Juan Martin Hernandez is a very talented player, he&#39;s doing pretty well in this world cup playing at fly half (he has played so much more at fullback) and I think he can only improve in the coming matches.

[gareth]

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[alvin136]

well it just shows that argentina has the ability to produce world class players first pichot now him, im wondering whos coming after hernandez

[asado]

well it just shows that argentina has the ability to produce world class players first pichot now him, im wondering whos coming after hernandez
[/b]

Maybe you should keep an eye on Marcelo Bosch who&#39;s 23 years old and already playing in Biarritz, a magnificent fly-half (he uses to play at center also).

[vinhqwerty]

He&#39;s definitely a great player but he was pretty poor against SA at 10. He should stick to 15 IMO

[gilesismoody]

had a pretty lush game today at 10. linked well in a few tries - a couple of long passes and a great step for their last, salt-rubbing try

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Hernandez gave his best performance of the World Cup today. He attacked the line superbly and his array of tactical kicking was excellent. Injuries seemed to take their toll against Scotland and South Africa. Perhaps he wasn&#39;t fully fit when he played them but against Ireland and France, he fully justified Loffreda&#39;s faith in giving him the 10 shirt. Hopefully the Pumas can unearth a new scrumhalf to match his talents once Gus Pichot calls it a day.

[dr_ahorro]

Juan Martin Hernandez was the best fly half all over the world cup tournament. Best wishes for him with The Pumas!!!!

[korenta]

A great match to end a great World Cup for Hernandez. Hopefully he will continue as number 10 in Stade Français instead of going back to number 15.

[kegz]

how sick is that trysaver on tuilagi
almost as good as lewsey on de villiers

[skiptomylou93]

he can play everywher in the back , hernandez a true genius

[paulcedron]

he can play everywhere in the back , hernandez a true genius
[/b]
yes, hes very versatile, but i prefer him as nº 10 or nº 15, those positions where he can develop his creativity.

[Cymrurugbyfan]

I think he&#39;s the best player in the world after his World Cup, pure brilliance!

[Incredible Schalk]

Juan Martin Hernandez was the best fly half all over the world cup tournament. Best wishes for him with The Pumas!!!!
[/b]


Probably but he doesnt in my opinion control and inspire the team as much as Nicky Little does for Fiji. He isnt perhaps the most physical of players but he is involved with everything they do well, without him they lose direction and can lose to the poorest of sides. I accept you will be a bit biased due to the flag in the left corner ;)

[Martin1813]

He received yesterday the Oscar du Midi Olympique, as best player of 2006-2007 Top 14 season.

It is the first time player is distinguished by this prize.

[fernando]

juan martin is fantastic he gave an interview for an argentine radio last week
and he said that he wanna play like 10 , but his coach tell him that he couldnt play there.... i wrote "couldnt" because maybe his coach watched the world cup and the fantastic matches that he have like 10.

Maybe now the coach have another opinion

[Martin1813]

There is a big concurrence in Stade Français for flyhalf, as for all of the other positions in this club.

David Skrela is one of the top scorers of the last Top14 seasons and one of the most regular goal kicker. He is one the master key of the success of SF by his vision of the game and he is a strong defenser as well.

The raising star Lionel Beauxis who led France&#39;s -21 to the victory in world championship, has a real strong kick. He is able to score at 60 m. He doesn&#39;t care of the pressure.

The fact is Hernandez is a real great player, such a great one he can play everywhere in the backline. Fabien Galthié did not wait the RWC to think about making Hernandez at 10. JMH spent the last half of the season as the starting fly half of Stade Français, while Skrela was in 12 and Beauxis on the bench.


SF has a lot of very skillful players so Galthié has the possibility to turn them over without putting is side in a difficult.



So I think, in SF side, Hernandez&#39;s natural place is fullback, because of the lesser concurrence here, even if Jeanjean is recovering his top level. But it doesn&#39;t forbid him to play elsewhere

[Caledfwlch]

I guess that&#39;s one of the downsides to having three top players vying for that same position. 1 will get to star while the other two will have to contend for other roles. But on te other hand you have good backup and you can be sure the healthy competition will make the players be at each others throats to play well, in a good way.

[totem]

He is in 3 best of Fly half in the World

[arangoismat]

i think Hernandez is a great player and the best fly half with dan carter and wilkinson

[seanidou]

his world cup was not good at all

[semental]

tell it to the ea rugby08 game, he is really bad in the statistics. I need a new roster!!! grr

[manuelele]

in rwc he was the best fly-half. I think hernandez and the others PUMAS play much better when they play withr their selection. Argentina Character, he can kill for thier selection.

[Jaime]

He generally does the best option,and is versatile and knows his limitations.

[Rhinos Flanker]

My Favorite Player after BOD
I like him better at 10...I remember him from Deportiva Francesa
he was the best in the league no doubt
and at 15 he is probably the best
but I would put him as my 10 no doubt

[gmichel28]

Hernandez is a genius someday, but someday he&#39;s unlucky too

[grievzy]

That man is basically my god

[unskilz]

I just watched some of his 2007/2008 games, and all I can say is that he is truly unique. The way he kicks is simply unbelievable. His ability to get an extra 10 to 25 yards on his kicks adds so much value to SF. Watching him play against Dax, I wonder if SF would have kept their record intact had it not been solely for Hernandez and his kicking. The way he kicks the ball and gets it going sideways so as to bounce once and then go in touch is simply class.

[zaki94]

Hernandez it&#39;s a very good player

[rodri_arg91]

excellent player, my favourite fullback and a great fly-half...
thanks god he is argentinian, all of the country is proud of him, i hope he arrives at leicester soon to keep on growing as a player.

[dobduff11]

The only problem with Hernandez is that because he hasn&#39;t played alot at outside half he can&#39;t control the games and he doesn&#39;t make the write decisons

[carlitos103]

Juani is a great player. But I don&#39;t understand why he doesn&#39;t want to play fullback and olny at 10. ????

[AndyPery]

A very good player I think the best fly-half of the french league

[dpdoncan]

Juani is the most elegant player of rwc08

[langostino]

actually it was rwc2007 xD haha... and yes he is a great player and he is good on any position actually

[Eche_17]

In my opinion, Juan Hernandez is, after Carter and Wilkinson, probably the best fly-half in the world.

Just look at this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eydv2Snrnhg

Ha!!! Awesome!

[fakucarp]

Yes he is

It is a pity that his recent injury prevented him playing for two months

GO PUMAS!!!!

[facuccba]

he is a very good player, i think he is going to be like Porta someday

[Camberabero]

Hernandez is a genius someday, but someday he&#39;s unlucky too
[/b]

Yes he&#39;s a great player but unlucky...
Saturday in Cordoba he broke his wrist because one of his teammates treaded upon him.
Even though Italy won that test (pretty sure we won because he was substituted), has been such a pity not to see him playing as he is used to play with his talent & genius :( :(

Hope he will recover as soon as possible.
I want to see him here in Turin next November for the test against Italy again.

Good Luck Genio !!! :cheers:

[kabezon]

Hernandez is a genius someday, but someday he&#39;s unlucky too
[/b]

I find the reason, nevertheless he is a great player, since few ones exist

[munross]

Hernandez reminds me of Michalak.Both of them are full of tricks and stuff,but sometimes those tricks go wrong and they play and look like amateurs.

[finki]

Hernandez reminds me of Michalak.Both of them are full of tricks and stuff,but sometimes those tricks go wrong and they play and look like amateurs.
[/b]
Bad comparison, Hernandez is more clever than Michalak in the pitch.