Good Rugby Reads

antipodean

Great interview with Mike Gibson.
 
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/other-rugby/im-not-sure-id-have-wanted-to-be-a-professional-paul-kimmage-meets-rugby-legend-mike-gibson-34430028.html'>http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/other-rugby/im-not-sure-id-have-wanted-to-be-a-professional-paul-kimmage-meets-rugby-legend-mike-gibson-34430028.html</a>

ulsterman

Murray Kinsella's at it again:
 
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.the42.ie/ireland-wales-scrum-analysis-4-2595266-Feb2016/'>http://www.the42.ie/ireland-wales-scrum-analysis-4-2595266-Feb2016/</a>
 
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.the42.ie/analysis-ireland-wales-six-nations-2016-attack-2594078-Feb2016/'>http://www.the42.ie/analysis-ireland-wales-six-nations-2016-attack-2594078-Feb2016/</a>
 
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.the42.ie/analysis-ireland-defence-wales-six-nations-2016-2591653-Feb2016/'>http://www.the42.ie/analysis-ireland-defence-wales-six-nations-2016-2591653-Feb2016/</a>

jegga

Mick Byrne interview
 
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/former-all-blacks-skills-coach-mick-byrne-is-open-to-a-future-with-the-wallabies/news-story/b45fa8fa17705ce188ebfe888c2a92e5'>http://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/former-all-blacks-skills-coach-mick-byrne-is-open-to-a-future-with-the-wallabies/news-story/b45fa8fa17705ce188ebfe888c2a92e5</a>

Unite

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="jegga" data-cid="563706" data-time="1457591956">
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Mick Byrne interview
 
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/former-all-blacks-skills-coach-mick-byrne-is-open-to-a-future-with-the-wallabies/news-story/b45fa8fa17705ce188ebfe888c2a92e5'>http://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/former-all-blacks-skills-coach-mick-byrne-is-open-to-a-future-with-the-wallabies/news-story/b45fa8fa17705ce188ebfe888c2a92e5</a>
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Good read that one, was about to post that as well. Be interesting if he ended up working with the Wallabies, can't blame him I guess. It will be interesting who fills this role for the All Blacks going forward (or is it already filled?), and whether there is a drop off in these types of skills.

Gary

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-time="1457602462" data-cid="563747" data-author="Unite">Good read that one, was about to post that as well. Be interesting if he ended up working with the Wallabies, can't blame him I guess. It will be interesting who fills this role for the All Blacks going forward (or is it already filled?), and whether there is a drop off in these types of skills.</blockquote>I recall Hart saying it wasn't his job as All Black coach to teach skills they should know how to catch a ball at level ~ talk about changes in coaching at the All Black level.

Crucial

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Gary" data-cid="563786" data-time="1457635435">
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I recall Hart saying it wasn't his job as All Black coach to teach skills they should know how to catch a ball at level ~ talk about changes in coaching at the All Black level.
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It has been going on at lower levels for sometime now.
 
The theory seems to be that you can't coach instinct, size and freak abilities but you can take players with these attributes and (if they have the desire) improve their skills endlessly.
 
I used to go to schoolboy trial musters where I was gobsmacked at the number of guys there with very low skill levels. Many could hardly pass a ball one way let alone both ways. Yet the final selections had more of these guys than those with good ball skills.
 
I like his anecdote about teams passing to the left. It's why left wingers in club teams usually get better opportunities than right wingers. Watch a club game and see how often the ball dies in the midfield when going left to right compared to the other way.
 
I think it is simply that the pro game allows coaching teams far more time to work on skills so they can afford to teach and enhance that area.

Milk

Another good piece of analysis from the42.ie
 
Analysis: The Chiefs' brilliant 'tackle only' tactic backfired against the Blues

<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.the42.ie/analysis-chiefs-no-ruck-blues-backfired-2715116-Apr2016/'>http://www.the42.ie/analysis-chiefs-no-ruck-blues-backfired-2715116-Apr2016/</a>

Smudge

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MN5" data-cid="554989" data-time="1454035027">
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I've pretty much given up on Rugby books to the point where I won't even flick through them at Whitcoulls. Norm Hewitts was awesome and head over heels above the rest cos he wasn't afraid to have a go at people he thought had wronged him, Peter Fats, Justin Marshall and Josh Kronfelds were also pretty good although far less eye opening but you get the feeling with the rest that none of the former ( as is usually the case ) players want to bite the hand that might still feed them one day. They're just boring.
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I've probably mentioned it on the Fern before (maybe on this thread - can't be bothered looking back) but the worst autobiography I read was Ian Jones' "Unlocked". After getting through his uninteresting early years, his rugby days consisted of stories I had already read in other ABs' autobiographies. On the upside, at least he didn't release it as an audio book, the garbled fuckwit.

ploughboy

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Milk" data-cid="572315" data-time="1460656007">
<div>
Another good piece of analysis from the42.ie
 
Analysis: The Chiefs' brilliant 'tackle only' tactic backfired against the Blues
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.the42.ie/analysis-chiefs-no-ruck-blues-backfired-2715116-Apr2016/'>http://www.the42.ie/analysis-chiefs-no-ruck-blues-backfired-2715116-Apr2016/</a>
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interesting article.i remember in that brumbies game i was calling for pocock to be penalized for obstruction on leitch.

MajorRage

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Smudge" data-cid="572327" data-time="1460668541">
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I've probably mentioned it on the Fern before (maybe on this thread - can't be bothered looking back) but the worst autobiography I read was Ian Jones' "Unlocked". After getting through his uninteresting early years, his rugby days consisted of stories I had already read in other ABs' autobiographies. On the upside, at least he didn't release it as an audio book, the garbled fuckwit.
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Have you not read Graham Henry Potter and the Final Word? Appalling.

Siam

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Milk" data-cid="572315" data-time="1460656007">
<div>
Another good piece of analysis from the42.ie
 
Analysis: The Chiefs' brilliant 'tackle only' tactic backfired against the Blues
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.the42.ie/analysis-chiefs-no-ruck-blues-backfired-2715116-Apr2016/'>http://www.the42.ie/analysis-chiefs-no-ruck-blues-backfired-2715116-Apr2016/</a>
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If I worked for Sky TV and their rugby analysis shows, I'd just copy this guy's newspaper articles, turn it into a show and watch my salary escalate...
 
It's great insight although I'd avoid eye contact with Dave Rennie

Siam

It ain't a read but it's good

MN5

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Smudge" data-cid="572327" data-time="1460668541">
<div>
I've probably mentioned it on the Fern before (maybe on this thread - can't be bothered looking back) but the worst autobiography I read was Ian Jones' "Unlocked". After getting through his uninteresting early years, his rugby days consisted of stories I had already read in other ABs' autobiographies. On the upside, at least he didn't release it as an audio book, the garbled fuckwit.
</div>
</blockquote>
 
Ha, I thought it was ok.....well, at least compared to Todd Blackadders book. "Gee, Toddys a good bloke, would do anything for the team". Yawn."Unlocked" is a terrible title.....but "Loyal" is next level, it just makes you hate Dave Dobbyn even more for that wretched fucken god awful turd of a song......

profitius

Article praising Pat Lam. He has transformed Connacht. They were always a bottom pro12 side but Lam has them joint top with 2 games to go and playing some great rugby. 
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.punditarena.com/rugby/jotoole/connacht-embody-everything-we-wish-ireland-could-be/'>http://www.punditarena.com/rugby/jotoole/connacht-embody-everything-we-wish-ireland-could-be/</a>

Crucial

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="profitius" data-cid="573319" data-time="1460981668">
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Article praising Pat Lam. He has transformed Connacht. They were always a bottom pro12 side but Lam has them joint top with 2 games to go and playing some great rugby. <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.punditarena.com/rugby/jotoole/connacht-embody-everything-we-wish-ireland-could-be/'>http://www.punditarena.com/rugby/jotoole/connacht-embody-everything-we-wish-ireland-could-be/</a>
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Sadly Lam was one of the list of coaches killed of in NZ by the Blues virus. Here's hoping it doesn't happen to Umaga.
 
Way too much expectation lumped onto the Blues as a team when it has been the off-field organisation that let the foundations crumble. Now it is a very hard road back especially when it is tough to recruit in the critical 10 jersey.
Glad to see that Lam has found his niche and hope that JK manages to do the same.

profitius

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Crucial" data-cid="573338" data-time="1461009021">
<div>
Sadly Lam was one of the list of coaches killed of in NZ by the Blues virus. Here's hoping it doesn't happen to Umaga.
 
Way too much expectation lumped onto the Blues as a team when it has been the off-field organisation that let the foundations crumble. Now it is a very hard road back especially when it is tough to recruit in the critical 10 jersey.
Glad to see that Lam has found his niche and hope that JK manages to do the same.
</div>
</blockquote>
 
 
Lam has found his niche alright. He took over a team that had no expectations and were always losing about 75% of their games. I suppose you could compare them to the Force or Kings in super rugby. Lam had the freedom to mold the team the way he wanted to and the players bought into it from day 1. A little different from the Blues I'd say! 
 
 
In his first season they finished 10th, in his second season they finish 7th now they're currently 2nd and heading for the playoffs. They've never previously finished in the top 6. They gave Munster a beating at the weekend to complete the double over them this season and doing it by playing a lovely, attacking style of rugby. 
 
 
There are other NZers in the coaching team. Dave Ellis and Andre Bell. Lam himself is staying in Connacht for another 2 seasons but won't be short of job offers when his contract is up and theres talk already of him being Joe Schmidt's successor.

Stargazer

Not sure whether this has been posted already, but â€“ whatever you think of the political aspects (not really something Iâ€™d like to discuss on this forum) â€“ the possible consequences of BREXIT for players signing contracts with overseas clubs, including those in the UK, are interesting.
 
Here are a few similar articles:
 
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.rugbyworld.com/news/brexit-mean-rugby-56194'>Brexit: what would it mean for rugby?</a> (10/05/2016) 

<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.skysports.com/more-sports/news/12123/10315725/brexit-could-stifle-rugby-and-cricket-imports-to-britain'>Brexit could affect rugby and cricket imports to Britain</a> (24/06/2016)
 
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='https://theblitzdefence.wordpress.com/2016/05/12/what-a-brexit-would-mean-for-rugby/'>What a Brexit would mean for rugby</a> (12/05/2016)
 
or video: <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/sport/rugby/brexit-could-affect-pacific-rugby-players-in-uk.html?autoPlay=5018664834001'>Brexit could affect Pacific rugby players in UK</a> 
 
I wonder whether players from our part of the world will now (or in 2 years from now) be more likely to sign contracts with clubs in France and Ireland (& other EU countries like Italy and Romania) than England.

Immenso Rapido

In the end it probably wonâ€™t be much different. 
Assuming the UK does actually trigger article 50, then the deal they negotiate may well end up being a crappy one like the one Norway has â€“ and they basically donâ€™t control their own destiny anyway. Or if they do get a good deal then Iâ€™m assuming they're fairly happy with their current blend â€“ and the RFU will structure any new rules fairly liberally. 
What is the general feeling among English fans and adminsitrators about foreign player influx at the moment? Iâ€™m assuming it is comfortable, Iâ€™m not hearing much grumbling anymore. A few years ago there was a situation a few years ago where something like 9 or 10 of the 12 starting premiership flyhalves were foreign etc â€“ but are the academies working now? This musing pretty much ignores the Pro12 part of the UK, though â€¦â€¦ 
As for the exporting countries. This will affect South Africa and the Pacific Islanders, and Namibia, Zimbabwe the most. 
From a South African fans POV though this would probable be a positive, for the players a negative. 
From the Pacific POV â€“ I think its more even. Those that carry pacific nation passports currently have the world as their oyster â€“ but from a PI fans pov the downside is they can go before playing test rugby and get â€˜capturedâ€™ by their hosts. 
Take a Ben Tameifuna as a test case. 
At the point where Ben realises making the All Blacks is going to take more sacrifices than he is prepared to give, currently as a Tongan passport holder (I assume) through his parentage â€“ the whole of the EU is open to him through the Cotonou Agreement. He can get a work permit as a provincial level rugby player with a passport from a Cotonou country. 
But if the UK brexits and introduces something similar to their pre-kolpak work permit rules (to qualify as a skilled worker an international player needs to have played 75% of his countryâ€™s internationals in the previous 2 years etc). OK, so someone like Ben is maybe not the best example as a fat foreign prop he was always going to go to France. But to keep his options open and include 12 premiership clubs plus 6 or 7 Pro 12 clubs as potential employers someone like Ben would be best advised to declare for Tonga and spend 2 years playing test rugby for them while still domiciled in NZ playing Super Rugby/NPC.

Immenso Rapido

Cricket is an interesting one. IMO because the ECB couldnâ€™t control all the kolpaks flooding county cricket â€“ they have introduced their own layer of ruling that only 1 player (2 in the T20s) can be non-English qualified. This has resulted in the perverse unintended consequence (or maybe intended, Giles Clarke is that evil) of almost 40 year old ex-saffas like Ashwell Prince declaring as English and making themselves unavailable for international cricket â€“ or 23 year olds with Portuguese ancestry like Craig Cachopa serving 7 year qualification periods, knowing theyâ€™ll not be good enough â€“ but paying lip service to the rules â€“ The 7 years qualification means they obviously canâ€™t play for NZ or Zimbabwe or South Africa etc â€“ and if they go back in the off season to their home countries have to play in those competitions as overseas players. 
In summary; English cricketâ€™s response to the out of control kolpak situation has had a dire effect on international cricket for SA and Zim, and had a mildly negative effect on NZ.

Siam

Do that quiz about the 86 Baby Blacks before you read this :)
 
It's a good wee article and I remember vividly that game and the build up
 
Only time we really (honestly) thought our team would lose a test. Oh sure we hoped it'd work out as a win but it was a strange build up - unique for sure
 
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.nzherald.co.nz/herald-sport-features-and-long-reads/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503684&objectid=11662654'>http://www.nzherald.co.nz/herald-sport-features-and-long-reads/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503684&objectid=11662654</a>

The Silver Fern

Good Rugby Reads