underrate verb [T]
to fail to understand how skilful, important, etc. someone or something is.
And...
In modern Australasia, tall poppy syndrome is frequently invoked as an explanation when a public figure is on the receiving end of negative publicity
Did you even read the links I posted? Are you trying to tell me that people fail to understand how skillful and important SBW is?
SBW is one of the most skilled players running around. If you're trying to tell me he's underrated because he recieves some bad press from some of the people on this forum who think he's inconsistent, then you're wrong.
He received universal accolades for his debut performance in which, playing at centre/three quarter he scored a try against the Parramatta Eels, outclassing prominent Kangaroo representative, Jamie Lyon. He went on to establish himself in the Bulldogs team, and played a big part in their Grand Final success that year, where he was deemed a 'revelation' by many members of the press. He made his debut for the New Zealand national side at the end of the year, aged only 18. ~ Source
People would not say he was a 'revelation' or outclassing an International in his debut if they thought he was underrated.
By your theory, any good player that is bagged means they're underrated, which is pure stupidity. Secondly, I dare you to find 5 Dogs fans who have a general low opinion of him. It's rediculous, you're making him out to be some kid who's been publicly vilified for some unknown reason. The only reaons I can see him recieving bad press is because morons who listen to the Telecrap then watch his game and expect him to walk on water. It doesn't happen like that. He's 21 and people expect so much of him that when he only delivers an 8/10 game, people seem to think he's inconsistent.
It's rubbish. The kid isn't underrated, if anything he's unjistifiably overhyped and has unreasonable expectations placed on him.