Good Rugby Reads
-
I loved this article by Dylan Cleaver.
About the 1992 NZ Schoolboys team that included 10 guys who played test rugby for NZ including Carlos Spencer et all & 2 of the best ever in Lomu & Jeff Wilson. Plus 2 guys who played test rugby for Samoa.
The article is about the guys 'who didn't make it", fascinating. The amateur and semi-pro paths some of them took, the bad luck, the options etc
Interesting how many of them rated Todd Miller so highly. I'd first seen/heard of Todd Miller when he played for NZ schoolboys as a 15 year old 2 years earlier and scored a great solo try in a rare televised game. Then he disappeared for a few years doing mormon stuff, before re-appearing at NPC level for Waikato.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/indepth/sport/the-greatest-rugby-team-you-never-saw-the-nearly-men/
-
@taniwharugby That was choice, cheers!
-
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.
https://i.stuff.co.nz/national/99283095/forgotten-sas-vietnam-war-hero-denied-medal
-
The walrus column today - I think it's worth a read as he raises many a point about the state if the game
-
@majorrage said in Good Rugby Reads:
The walrus column today - I think it's worth a read as he raises many a point about the state if the game
While you’re at it please post your username and password for the times site. We’d be much obliged. Cheers
-
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.
-
@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.
https://i.stuff.co.nz/national/99283095/forgotten-sas-vietnam-war-hero-denied-medal
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.
-
-
-
-
@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.
-
https://www.amazon.com/World-Conflict-Global-Battle-Supremacy/dp/1925635740
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
http://thespinoff.co.nz/featured/02-11-2016/48-hours-drinking-with-rugbys-greatest-losers/
Superb. Cheers.
That is awesome , I would love to do that.
