Good Rugby Reads
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-time="1457602462" data-cid="563747" data-author="Unite"><p>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.</p></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.
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Gary" data-cid="563786" data-time="1457635435">
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<p>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.</p>
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<p>It has been going on at lower levels for sometime now.</p>
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<p>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.</p>
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<p>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.</p>
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<p>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.</p>
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<p>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.</p> -
<p>Another good piece of analysis from the42.ie</p>
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<p><strong>Analysis: The Chiefs' brilliant 'tackle only' tactic backfired against the Blues</strong></p>
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<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></p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MN5" data-cid="554989" data-time="1454035027">
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<p>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.</p>
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<p>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.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Milk" data-cid="572315" data-time="1460656007">
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<p>Another good piece of analysis from the42.ie</p>
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<p><strong>Analysis: The Chiefs' brilliant 'tackle only' tactic backfired against the Blues</strong></p>
<p><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></p>
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<p>interesting article.i remember in that brumbies game i was calling for pocock to be penalized for obstruction on leitch.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Smudge" data-cid="572327" data-time="1460668541">
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<p>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.</p>
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<p>Have you not read Graham Henry Potter and the Final Word? Appalling.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Milk" data-cid="572315" data-time="1460656007">
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<p>Another good piece of analysis from the42.ie</p>
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<p><strong>Analysis: The Chiefs' brilliant 'tackle only' tactic backfired against the Blues</strong></p>
<p><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></p>
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<p>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...</p>
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<p>It's great insight although I'd avoid eye contact with Dave Rennie</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Smudge" data-cid="572327" data-time="1460668541">
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<p>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.</p>
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<p>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......</p> -
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. <br><br><br>
<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> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="profitius" data-cid="573319" data-time="1460981668">
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<p>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.<br><br><br><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></p>
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<p>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.</p>
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<p>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.</p>
<p>Glad to see that Lam has found his niche and hope that JK manages to do the same.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Crucial" data-cid="573338" data-time="1461009021">
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<p>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.</p>
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<p>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.</p>
<p>Glad to see that Lam has found his niche and hope that JK manages to do the same.</p>
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<p>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! </p>
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<p>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. </p>
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<p>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. </p> -
<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Not sure whether this has been posted already, but – whatever you think of the political aspects (not really something I’d like to discuss on this forum) – the possible consequences of BREXIT for players signing contracts with overseas clubs, including those in the UK, are interesting.</span></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Here are a few similar articles:</span></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><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)</span></span><br>
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<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><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)</span></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><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)</span></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">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> </span></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">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.</span></span></p> -
In the end it probably won’t be much different.<br><br><br>
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 – and they basically don’t control their own destiny anyway. Or if they do get a good deal then I’m assuming they're fairly happy with their current blend – and the RFU will structure any new rules fairly liberally.<br><br>
What is the general feeling among English fans and adminsitrators about foreign player influx at the moment? I’m assuming it is comfortable, I’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 – but are the academies working now? This musing pretty much ignores the Pro12 part of the UK, though ……<br><br><br><br>
As for the exporting countries. This will affect South Africa and the Pacific Islanders, and Namibia, Zimbabwe the most.<br><br>
From a South African fans POV though this would probable be a positive, for the players a negative.<br><br><br>
From the Pacific POV – I think its more even. Those that carry pacific nation passports currently have the world as their oyster – but from a PI fans pov the downside is they can go before playing test rugby and get ‘captured’ by their hosts.<br><br><br>
Take a Ben Tameifuna as a test case.<br><br>
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 – 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.<br><br><br>
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 country’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. -
Cricket is an interesting one. IMO because the ECB couldn’t control all the kolpaks flooding county cricket – 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 – or 23 year olds with Portuguese ancestry like Craig Cachopa serving 7 year qualification periods, knowing they’ll not be good enough – but paying lip service to the rules – The 7 years qualification means they obviously can’t play for NZ or Zimbabwe or South Africa etc – and if they go back in the off season to their home countries have to play in those competitions as overseas players.<br><br><br><br>
In summary; English cricket’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. -
<p>Do that quiz about the 86 Baby Blacks before you read this :)</p>
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<p>It's a good wee article and I remember vividly that game and the build up</p>
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<p>Only time we really (honestly) thought our team would lose a test. Oh sure we <em>hoped </em>it'd work out as a win but it was a strange build up - unique for sure</p>
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<p><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></p> -
I see the Herald has flogged this and re-printed it as their rugby scribes could never write to the quality that consistently comes from The42
Great piece about the Barretts (with credit to the source) http://www.the42.ie/kevin-barrett-beauden-new-zealand-family-ireland-3029019-Oct2016/
Includes this video
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While I'm at it here are a couple of other interesting recent reads from the site.
First a look at CBHS and their rugby programme
Inside Christchurch Boys' High, the school that has produced 46 All Blacks
Dan Carter, the Franks brothers, Brodie Retallick and Anton Lienert-Brown have all come through the school.
including this video
Second a story about some Irish players currently over here playing in the NPC and Heartland
'He's got a big future and, who knows, he could wear a black jersey'
Irishman Oliver Jager is part of Canterbury’s push for a Mitre 10 Cup title.
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This was in last weekends Rugby Paper but takes a while to be free to see on the website. Nick cain can write some silly side column rubbish to appease the masses but on this evidence he should stick to writing well thought out pieces. Thought he has some very good things to say here:
Nick Cain: Dan Carter & Co need to be protected from medics
News, features and match reports from The Rugby Paper, the UK-based newspaper which specialises in rugby union at all levels ready for your viewing every Sunday of the year.
Dan Carter & Co need to be protected from medics**
At the outset it should be said that there is no suggestion that any of the three Racing 92 overseas stars are drug cheats who were abusing cortico-steroids, which is the medical name for the traces found in the blood samples taken from them after the final. Furthermore, soon after the story of the traces broke the three players were cleared of any wrongdoing by a French rugby Federation enquiry.
However, that does not exonerate our sport for its often passive and smug “it doesn’t happen in rugby” attitude towards potentially damaging drugs like cortisone. The point brought home sharply by the case involving former New Zealand fly-half Carter and his two teammates is twofold.
First, that there is the potential for abuse because Rugby Union’s procedures around the administering of a drug as powerful as cortisone are extraordinarily lax.
Unlike in cycling where a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) has to be applied for with corticosteroids eight days in advance of competition, in this instance the French regulations were too elastic. All that was required was for the Racing doctor to file a declaration of usage to the FFR anti-doping department after he had administered the injections.
The leeway this leaves for the potential abuse of performance enhancing drugs like corticosteroids is significant. The pressure on medical staff to prescribe such drugs for mild or bogus injuries is not difficult to imagine, especially in an increasingly lucrative and competitive professional contact sport like Rugby Union.
It is a big loophole, and it needs to be closed as a matter of urgency, because we have ample evidence of the damage that weak regulatory systems and tolerance for drug usage have done in other sports, with cycling, swimming and track and field athletics the most obvious.
The second issue it raises is the duty of care to players. Carter, who had an injection for a knee injury, said in an interview with the Le Monde newspaper after he was cleared last week that “he didn’t know enough about corticosteroids” to comment on whether the eight day rest in cycling should apply to Rugby Union.
When he was told that those stipulations apply in cycling because it is considered dangerous, and that it could enhance performance inside that time frame, Carter said, “Okay, it’s the first time I’ve heard that”.
However, Carter – who revealed he had also had another cortisone injection before the 2015 World Cup semi-final – did reveal that he had some knowledge of the potential risks. He said: “I know you can’t take them on a weekly basis – there’s a limit may be to two a season… so you know the risk associated with it as a player…not the exact detail associated with the medicine, the long-term damage and things like that, therefore you put your trust in the doctor that he’s making the right decision.”
The question this raises is when does the duty of care that this sport – and its countries and clubs – owes to players become blurred by the desire of those players to play through injury to achieve their dreams – even if it involves taking steroid painkillers which could have a later impact on their physical well-being.
This instance is a case in point, with Carter, Rokococo and Imhoff prepared to take the risk. They were rewarded with French championship medals when Racing beat Toulon 29-21 in front of 90,000 at the Nou Camp in Barcelona. For the record, Carter kicked five penalties to clinch victory, with his fellow ex-All Black Rokococo scoring Racing’s decisive try. It was a day they will never forget.
However, their success should not be allowed to mask the fact that any drugs given to them to recover from their injuries in order to play the match must be subjected to much greater scrutiny. This should start from the default position that they should be given only in exceptional circumstances, with the health risks made clear to the player in question. There should also be agreed annual and career limits for players which should not be exceeded.
Tommy Smith, the Liverpool hard man of the Seventies known as the ‘Anfield Iron’, can tell us a thing or two about the risks of having too many cortisone injections. So can many of the other professional footballers who played in the same era.
Eight years ago Smith did an interview in which it was revealed that, at 63, he often used a wheelchair because of osteo and rheumatoid arthritis. He also had two plastic knees, and a replacement hip and elbow, and had suffered the indignity of having his disability benefits stopped because he hobbled out at the 1996 FA Cup final to take a penalty as part of the charity fundraiser.
Smith recalled: “My knees were knackered even before they started giving me cortisone. The truth was in those days footballers were not treated that well… there were times when I shouldn’t have played, and the club knew this. There were matches when they needed me, or sometimes I needed the money.”
The lesson we can learn from footballers like Smith is that the pressures to play will always be there, and sometimes players have to be protected from themselves. And from cortisone.
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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.
