Good Rugby Reads
-
@rapido said in Good Rugby Reads:
This isn't a rugby read, is a Vietnam War read.
Rugby connection is former Counties Manukau and Fiji (and Blues assistant) coach Mac MacCallion was part of this 6 man SAS patrol, just a teenager at the time with the cliched "lied about his true age ..." thing.
I met Bill Taare, fine man, glad for him to get recognition.
Peter Fatialofa had one of the better Rugby books I've read and he said he was terrified when he had to play against Mac McCallion ( although he was quoted as well and said he was scared of Fats too )
-
@crucial said in Good Rugby Reads:
Mac was a fine player in his day as well. Good Manurewa club man, hard arse flanker, NZ Maori rep (captain as well).
Here's another story related to the one above.
EDIT: changed my post re: Mac's age..
On Wiki Mac was born 1950, so he joined army in 1964 as a ;17 year old' but was actually 14. Was aged 17 when he joined SAS soldier, and aged 19 at the tie of this incident.A 2 hour fighting withdrawal while carrying their comrade.
-
-
-
Two Aussies, three games - a beer fuelled roadtrip through New Zealand provincial rugby
On the final weekend of the provincial rugby season, two footy mad boys from the heart of Brisvegas came to New Zealand. It was the best four days of the rugby year.
-
@kiwimurph saw that on Twitter this morning, cool story!
-
@mn5 said in Good Rugby Reads:
@mikedogz said in Good Rugby Reads:
Sounds like there were two Mac McCallions. The guy in the herald article looks too nice to be the former counties coach.
Yep definitely a different bloke. Amazing coincidence though.
Turns out the other guy is Wayne McCallion, his brother.
-
Excellent book, one of the (if not the) best rugby book I've read.
-
@nzzp said in Good Rugby Reads:
Sumo Stevenson is rapidly becoming my favourite sports writer and commentator. What a top bloke. Just go and read this
48 hours drinking with rugby’s greatest losers
Scotty Stevenson spent the weekend in the company of rugby players who'd just been on the receiving end of heartbreaking losses, and he loved every minute of it.
Superb. Cheers.
That is awesome , I would love to do that.
-
Interview with referee Angus Gardner
-
Not rugby but cool all the same
-
@crucial said in Good Rugby Reads:
<p>I'll put this one here as well from another thread.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/international/gordon-d-arcy-burgess-is-blunder-that-could-bury-england-1.2371821'>http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/international/gordon-d-arcy-burgess-is-blunder-that-could-bury-england-1.2371821</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Gordon D'Arcy's view on the Burgess experiment</p> -
-
@jegga this is particularly true of most sports clubs these days, not least the bar take was always a huge part in keeping the places running.
Not so much of an issue in the cities where public transport or carpooling is an option.
You can’t ignore the fact that alcohol plays a big part in proceedings. You can’t deny the fact, also, that attitudes to, and more specifically policing of, drink-driving laws has torn away at the social tissue that connected rural rugby clubs to the wider community.
During the centenary celebrations, Dean Cup stalwart David Walter wrote: “In earlier days the drinking ritual was manly and mandatory, smoking was almost compulsory and drink-driving was a highly recommended activity. Panelbeaters got quite a surge of winter activity following a Dean Cup challenge.”
-
-
-
Two good articles from Rugbypass:
'All I ever wanted to do was be an All Black. And then it all gets taken away'
Suncorp Stadium was teeming on 13 May 2012, but slumped deep in the innards of the ground, Richard Kahui had never felt more alone.
'When I was skinny as a rake, I wasn't very filled out so everyone would want a fight with you if you were in a nightclub'
It's 7 years since giant-like Dominic Bird was last capped by the All Blacks but he is now performing to the peak of his powers at Racing.
Stuff
A World in Conflict: The Global Battle for Rugby Supremacy: Geoff Parkes: 9781925635744: Amazon.com: Books
Deadspin | Blackhawks Play 36-Year-Old Local Accountant As Emergency Goalie
Dean Cup
