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What's the best Rugby Autobiography?

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  • 28-07-2009 6:30pm
    #1
    pappyodaniel
    Registered Users Posts: 5,726 ✭✭✭


    What's the best Rugby Autobiography?
    Any opinions? I always enjoy a good rugby book, Chtistian Cullen's was enjoyable Trevor Brennan's was excellent, O'Gara's is pretty good too although written a tad early, woulda been better if he wrote it after he retires, i'm sure he'd have no problem hanging a few of his ex-coaches and team-mates if it meant a few more book sales and more money in the bank. I'd love to get some recommendations as to what might be of interest, hopefully hard bastards, who lived hard and played hard with colourful/checkered careers.

    Recommend!


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    #2
    wixfjord
    Site Banned Posts: 5,346 ✭✭✭wixfjord


    I thought O Garas was badly written personally. Clive Woodwards is a fantastic read. Dallaglios was grand, thought O Driscoll's was ok too.


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    #3
    Depp
    Registered Users Posts: 4,850 ✭✭✭Depp


    i liked rog's personally, its certainly worth the read


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    #4
    [Jackass]
    Closed Accounts Posts: 9,193 ✭✭✭[Jackass]


    pappyodaniel wrote: »
    What's the best Rugby Autobiography?
    Any opinions? I always enjoy a good rugby book, Chtistian Cullen's was enjoyable Trevor Brennan's was excellent, O'Gara's is pretty good too although written a tad early, woulda been better if he wrote it after he retires, i'm sure he'd have no problem hanging a few of his ex-coaches and team-mates if it meant a few more book sales and more money in the bank. I'd love to get some recommendations as to what might be of interest, hopefully hard bastards, who lived hard and played hard with colourful/checkered careers.

    Recommend!

    I'd imagine Martin Johnsons would be interesting to read, don't know if he has one though! Keitth Wood?

    O'Driscoll has at least a couple of books out, doesn't he? I'd imagine RO'G will do a follow up on retirement, don't worry...

    Autobiographies are almost an annual update at this stage in the sporting world.


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    #5
    Stev_o
    Registered Users Posts: 9,249 ✭✭✭Stev_o


    Martin Johnsons is pretty good nothing mind blowing but good nonetheless.


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    #6
    pappyodaniel
    Registered Users Posts: 5,726 ✭✭✭pappyodaniel


    wixfjord wrote: »
    I thought O Garas was badly written personally. Clive Woodwards is a fantastic read. Dallaglios was grand, thought O Driscoll's was ok too.

    I thought O'Gara's was a bit hit and miss but the content of the book is remarkable, i had for gotten a lot of the **** he went through, way more than his fair share of ups and downs in his career than the average rugby player.
    I've read Dallaglios but like O'Gara's, it was written while he was still playing, so he didn't give an honest account for fear of upsetting people (coaches) and not getting picked for games.
    Clive's might be interesting. I'm not reading O'Driscoll unless he re-writes his bio with a few more chapters AFTER he retires!


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    #7
    jayteecork
    Site Banned Posts: 5,676 ✭✭✭jayteecork


    "My year in the centre"

    Yes, Brian. I see what you did there.


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    #8
    Junior
    Registered Users Posts: 3,188 ✭✭✭Junior


    Moss Keane's one or Axel's..


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    #9
    OldJay
    Closed Accounts Posts: 943 ✭✭✭OldJay


    pappyodaniel wrote: »
    I thought O'Gara's was a bit hit and miss but the content of the book is remarkable, i had for gotten a lot of the **** he went through, way more than his fair share of ups and downs in his career than the average rugby player.
    I've read Dallaglios but like O'Gara's, it was written while he was still playing, so he didn't give an honest account for fear of upsetting people (coaches) and not getting picked for games.
    Clive's might be interesting. I'm not reading O'Driscoll unless he re-writes his bio with a few more chapters AFTER he retires!
    I enjoyed ROG's book. Read it in the 4hrs it takes to fly to Lanzarote.


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    #10
    pappyodaniel
    Registered Users Posts: 5,726 ✭✭✭pappyodaniel


    I was looking for something international, preferably someone i know nothing about other than he played rugby. A player who spanned from the amateur days to the professional era. I've read Axel, Peter Clohessy's would be fantastic if he penned something.


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    #11
    hefty_langer
    Registered Users Posts: 539 ✭✭✭hefty_langer


    Trevor Brennans autobiography, is easily the best rugby bio I've read...


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    #12
    itsallaboutheL
    Closed Accounts Posts: 11,333 ✭✭✭✭itsallaboutheL


    Moss Keanes FTW

    Trevor Brennans (or at least the edition i had) read like it had been proofread by a drunk 2 year old monkey with ADD
    Which was a pity because it was a good read otherwise


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    #13
    pappyodaniel
    Registered Users Posts: 5,726 ✭✭✭pappyodaniel


    hefty_langer wrote: »
    Trevor Brennans autobiography, is easily the best rugby bio I've read...

    Agreed. Such a likeable bloke.


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    #14
    DBraithwaite
    Registered Users Posts: 165 ✭✭DBraithwaite


    hefty_langer wrote: »
    Trevor Brennans autobiography, is easily the best rugby bio I've read...
    Agree, great read, best book i have ever read


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    #15
    DBraithwaite
    Registered Users Posts: 165 ✭✭DBraithwaite


    Great book, i would recommend definetely to older readers51Gkmc3U4jL._SL500_AA240_.jpg


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    #16
    OldJay
    Closed Accounts Posts: 943 ✭✭✭OldJay


    I tend to find sports biographies boring. (am reading ex-England cricketer Marcus Trescothick's book at the mo). Like a one-sided conversation.

    There is a hidden gem I found in the bookstores following the Lions tour to NZ. Written by an unknown (to me) author from Cork I think, in journal form.
    Really interesting, funny and would be a good read especially for anyone who was there for the tour.
    Its called 'The Last Great Tour?' and is written by Paul Daly.


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    #17
    wixfjord
    Site Banned Posts: 5,346 ✭✭✭wixfjord


    DBraithwaite wrote: »
    Agree, great read, best book i have ever read

    My jaysus you should join a library.


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    #18
    razorblunt
    Registered Users Posts: 17,300 ✭✭✭✭razorblunt


    Justind wrote: »
    I tend to find sports biographies boring. (am reading ex-England cricketer Marcus Trescothick's book at the mo). Like a one-sided conversation.

    There is a hidden gem I found in the bookstores following the Lions tour to NZ. Written by an unknown (to me) author from Cork I think, in journal form.
    Really interesting, funny and would be a good read especially for anyone who was there for the tour.
    Its called 'The Last Great Tour?' and is written by Paul Daly.


    Tried to read it, but put it down after 100 pages or so, thought it was terrible.

    Martin Johnson's was good not spectacular by any means but interesting. Axel's was very good and I read Gaiilimh's a few years back but cant remember much from it really.

    Gonna give Trevor Brennans a go seeing as the reviews here are positive, I don't read the ones by players still in their playing days.


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    #19
    EdgarAllenPoo
    Registered Users Posts: 2,686 ✭✭✭EdgarAllenPoo


    My first choice would definitely be Austin Healy's book with Trevor Brennan a close second. Stay clear of Kyran Bracken's and Richard Hill's - bland muck.


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    #20
    Stev_o
    Registered Users Posts: 9,249 ✭✭✭Stev_o


    Must get my hands on Healys im sure it would hysterical.


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    #21
    Judgement Day
    Closed Accounts Posts: 13,549 ✭✭✭✭Judgement Day


    'Time Added On' by George Hook, while not strictly a rugby autobiography, is a good read and gives a good warts and all insight into the man and his former buddy Eddie O'Sullivan.


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    #22
    Downtime
    Registered Users Posts: 1,537 ✭✭✭Downtime


    I enjoyed Neil Backs Autobiography - Size Doesn't Matter. Another good read is Paddy O'Briens Autobiography - Whistle While You Work - if you like to hear the referees side.


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    #23
    jayteecork
    Site Banned Posts: 5,676 ✭✭✭jayteecork


    Bit off topic but I hear Tony Cascarino's autobiography is unreal.


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    #24
    Kalashnikov_Kid
    Closed Accounts Posts: 642 ✭✭✭Kalashnikov_Kid


    Clive Woodward's autobiography is a good read if you can stomach the self-gratification.

    Was always interested in reading Neil Back's 'Size Doesn't Matter' as a fellow ex shortarse flanker.

    Jason Robinson's book looks interesting too


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    #25
    jayteecork
    Site Banned Posts: 5,676 ✭✭✭jayteecork


    Kalashnikov_Kid wrote: »

    Was always interested in reading Neil Back's 'Size Doesn't Matter' as a fellow ex shortarse flanker.

    Does the twat talk abotu cheating in the HC final 2002?


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    #26
    zAbbo
    Registered Users Posts: 11,987 ✭✭✭✭zAbbo


    I've read a few, but the one I liked the most was Austin Healys(Me and My Mouth: The Austin Healey Story) and John Daneil (onfessions of a Rugby Mercenary)

    Trevor Brennans was a major letdown.

    Simon Shaws upcoming one looks interesting


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    #27
    _blank_
    Closed Accounts Posts: 41,926 ✭✭✭✭_blank_


    jayteecork wrote: »
    Does the twat talk abotu cheating in the HC final 2002?

    Banned


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    #28
    Tim Robbins
    Registered Users Posts: 8,971 ✭✭✭Tim Robbins


    jayteecork wrote: »
    Does the twat talk abotu cheating in the HC final 2002?
    Cheating / Gamesmanship is actually part and parcel of Rugby. You trying to tell me every turnover is legal? Ever prop's bind within the law book? Every time a player doesn't release the ball, he wasn't hoping he'd get away with it?


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    #29
    freyners
    Registered Users Posts: 4,300 ✭✭✭freyners


    trevor brennans stands out for me and is a very good read
    axels is gand but i expected something better

    clive woodwards is very good and gives you a great understanding of his
    approach to coaching but i hate the title of it


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    #30
    curts82
    Closed Accounts Posts: 82 ✭✭curts82


    In Bod we trust stay well clear!!! He hypes himself way to much!!
    Reading Jason Robinsons book at mo very good read!!
    Johah Lumo's is pretty good also!!Feel sorry for the man.
    O gara's was ok. Axels was good. Cullens book isn't great!!


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    #31
    Aidric
    Registered Users Posts: 13,589 ✭✭✭✭Aidric


    zAbbo wrote: »
    Simon Shaws upcoming one looks interesting
    Good call. He strikes me as an interesting character with a good story to tell.


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