Hard Men of Rugby
£8.10£9.50 (-15%)
The true stories behind 20 of the toughest players to ever play the game, from pre-WWI firebrands to modern-day YouTube sensations. They are shocking, gruesome, often very funny and sometimes tragic, but what unites these men is their total commitment to the sport. Irrespective of size, reputation or opposition, they never took a step back, and many were as lively off the pitch as they were fiery on it. In our era of citing commissioners, slow-motion replays and trial by social media, some of their actions are hard to believe. Featuring exclusive interviews with some of the players themselves, insights from former teammates and a foreword from refereeing legend Nigel Owens, if you love the characters that make rugby great, then this is the book for you.
Table of contents: Foreword by Nigel Owens Introduction Paddy Mayne Brian Lima Wayne Shelford Bobby Windsor Colin Meads Jerry Collins Norm Hadley David Bedell-Sivright Scott Gibbs Gérard Cholley Trevor Brennan Wade Dooley Bakkies Botha Tomás Lavanini Jacques Burger Armand Vaquerin Martin Johnson Brian Thomas Sébastien Chabal Weary Dunlop Author acknowledgements Bibliography Notes
It was safer and certainly more fun to read about the Hard Men of Rugby than to play against them! It’s like having a few laughs over beers with them in the bar post-match, rather than what would have taken place on the pitch! – Al Charron, Former Canada Captain & World Rugby Hall of Fame inductee
I couldn’t put the book down. It was great to learn more about some of the hardest men in rugby folklore. And I had the misfortune to play against some of these legends! – Bernard Jackman, Former Ireland & Leinster player, coach and commentator
A cracking read, with some great stories about some guys I played with and against. Plus many more I am relieved I never had to face.- Lee Byrne, Former Wales & Lions player and pundit
I laughed, winced and even found myself moved by this lively and fun rundown of rugby hardmen.- Ben Mercer, Former rugby polayer & author of best-selling ‘Fringes: Life on the edge of professional rugby’
Fresh, entertaining, well-researched and full of really fun nuggets. – Robbie Owen / Squidge, Youtuber, podcaster & writer
Read more
Additional information
| Publisher | Y Lolfa (16 Oct. 2020) |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Paperback | 192 pages |
| ISBN-10 | 1912631288 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-1912631285 |
| Dimensions | 14.61 x 2.54 x 20.96 cm |
by ryan swanich
An honest, raw look into 20 of the biggest personalities in World Rugby today. Thoroughly enjoyed every page. Great follow up to ‘Absolutely Huge’!
by J. Relance
An immensely enjoyable journey through rugby history with a squad of roughneck companions. These are twenty players who stretch the idea that the game is one for hooligans but that’s played by gentlemen almost to breaking point. Lots of recent characters I knew a bit about but for me the real gems came from the earlier, amateur days, extraordinary men on and off the pitch with the final chapter on the saintly and fantastically monikered Weary Dunlop almost bringing a tear to the eye. Highly recommended.
by Darryl Lee
Great read
by Richard Anderson
I would never consider myself a huge rugby fan (6 Nations and the World Cup are about as deep as I get!) but I dipped into this after buying it for a family member and kept going!
There are loads of great stories and anecdotes littered throughout and I thoroughly enjoyed learning about the more obscure players I’d never heard of and getting better acquainted with those I did know.
A brilliant read for anyone who likes sport.
by Pop
It’s ok read better
by Peter Davies
Excellent entertainment good value book for rugby lovers. Could think of more players to include but there had to be a limit and there are some fascinating figures from the past included .
by mrs christine morgan
Bought for my husband as a surprise, he was very pleased. Enjoys reading rugby history as well as avid rugby & Welsh & Scarlets fan.
Very quick deliver excelleng service from Amazon.
by Vapemaster
Smashed through this like Lomu vs England in 95!