What's the best Rugby Autobiography?

pappyodaniel

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!

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.

Depp

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

[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.

Stev_o

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

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!

jayteecork

"My year in the centre"

Yes, Brian. I see what you did there.

Junior

Moss Keane's one or Axel's..

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.

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.

hefty_langer

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

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

pappyodaniel

hefty_langer wrote: »

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

Agreed. Such a likeable bloke.

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

DBraithwaite

Great book, i would recommend definetely to older readers

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.

wixfjord

DBraithwaite wrote: »

Agree, great read, best book i have ever read

My jaysus you should join a library.

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.

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.

Stev_o

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

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.

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.

jayteecork

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

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

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?

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

_blank_

jayteecork wrote: »

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

Banned

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?

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

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!!

Aidric

zAbbo wrote: »

Simon Shaws upcoming one looks interesting

Good call. He strikes me as an interesting character with a good story to tell.

Eoin

Judgement Day wrote: »

'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.

I invariably enjoyed that book invariably. Interesting to read how far back with EOS he goes (invariably).

freyners wrote: »

trevor brennans stands out for me

The (admittedly) small excerpt that was posted here when it came out gave the impression of a bitter, bitter man. Didn't he say he deserved another 20 or more caps?

bamboozle

good as tervor brennan's was i found it kept on repeating itself, we played a match....we won....we drank lots...and we had a big singsong!

Hippo

curts82 wrote: »

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!!

In fairness BOD doesn't really big himself up at all in that book. Anthony Foley, now there's someone who understands the value of a brand name...'Axel-Munster's Heineken Cup Journey' or something, and that was just the dvd!

Kalashnikov_Kid

Aidric wrote: »

Good call. He strikes me as an interesting character with a good story to tell.

I read a Simon Shaw column on one of the UK broadsheets recently and he made no qualms about criticising Clive Woodward or Andy Robinson who practically ignored him for many years, even going as far as to say that Woodwards obsessive paranoia lost them the 05 Lions!

His book should be interesting indeed

Aidric

Kalashnikov_Kid wrote: »

I read a Simon Shaw column on one of the UK broadsheets recently and he made no qualms about criticising Clive Woodward or Andy Robinson who practically ignored him for many years, even going as far as to say that Woodwards obsessive paranoia lost them the 05 Lions!

His book should be interesting indeed

Ya that's what I was getting at. He wears his heart on his sleeve and tells it as it is, not like a lot of the robots who give media these days.

curts82

Hippo wrote: »

In fairness BOD doesn't really big himself up at all in that book. Anthony Foley, now there's someone who understands the value of a brand name...'Axel-Munster's Heineken Cup Journey' or something, and that was just the dvd!

To be fair I really thought BOD was finished this time last year!!! But really he is back to himself this year!!! would be my IRB player of the year!! but the book is just crap. He talks about wat people don't do,ie Ronan missed this tackle, Shane Horgan bad pass, but He had to be back for this game and or that game. He doesn't mention none of his mistakes!!

DBraithwaite

eoin wrote: »

I invariably enjoyed that book invariably. Interesting to read how far back with EOS he goes (invariably).



The (admittedly) small excerpt that was posted here when it came out gave the impression of a bitter, bitter man. Didn't he say he deserved another 20 or more caps?

What he said was that if the coach wasnt biased against him he would have but he didnt say 20 more. He has a fair point

Eoin

DBraithwaite wrote: »

What he said was that if the coach wasnt biased against him he would have but he didnt say 20 more. He has a fair point

This is the quote I found here:

But I also believe I should have won at least 20 caps more. At the absolute minimum.

DBraithwaite

eoin wrote: »

This is the quote I found here:

Fair enough but i would agree with him even it is bein a bit stuck up.

Eoin

I think you'd have to be an amazing player and/or have absolutely nobody coming up through the ranks to assume you should get another 20 caps. And I don't think he was that good a player.

DBraithwaite

eoin wrote: »

I think you'd have to be an amazing player and/or have absolutely nobody coming up through the ranks to assume you should get another 20 caps. And I don't think he was that good a player.

He probably wasnt just good enough to be international quality

Stev_o

eoin wrote: »

I think you'd have to be an amazing player and/or have absolutely nobody coming up through the ranks to assume you should get another 20 caps. And I don't think he was that good a player.

At the time he was playing for one of the best teams in Europe and a time where Ireland's options at 4 and 5 and 6 were either old or slim.

DBraithwaite

Stev_o wrote: »

At the time he was playing for one of the best teams in Europe and a time where Ireland's options at 4 and 5 and 6 were either old or slim.

Thats the fact i was lookin for ha

handsomecake

jonah lomus is class especially the scene where he orders lunch in mcdonalds


justin marshalls is a brilliant read.a real character

christian cullens was a personal favourite.he could bench press the most on the all black team apparently according to john hart

the best was tana umagas one. he sets the record straight on how he did phone o driscoll and apologise but o driscoll told the press he didnt apologise.the famous "its not tiddly winks quote is brilliant"

but my favourite is when he is getting verbal grief off a prop and then he scores two quick tries in succession. he says to the prop " get back under those posts you fat bastard"

phog

Moss Keane's would be my No1.
Someone mentioned Hook's book and as they said while not strictly a Rugby Bio it was a great read and gave a few insights to Irish Rugby at the time.

pappyodaniel

Ya Hook's is great, inspiring and honest to a tee.
Away from rugby, has anyone read Gazza's, now THAT'S a read and a half, the man is such a suicide case. You come out of that book with no hope for the man, just sympathy.

OldJay

razorblunt wrote: »

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

I enjoyed it because its basically in journal form. Just thought it an interesting perspective rather the usual stuff churned out in a rush.
Particularly enjoyed the piece about the Martin Johnson ground named after the England captain as his playing days there.

gaffney.ie

I showed this to a sports biography mad mate of mine. He said that, "Josh Kronfeld or Norm Hewitts are by far the best".

ch2008

pappyodaniel wrote: »

Ya Hook's is great, inspiring and honest to a tee.
Away from rugby, has anyone read Gazza's, now THAT'S a read and a half, the man is such a suicide case. You come out of that book with no hope for the man, just sympathy.

I thought that was one of the worst sports books I've read, and I've read "Frankly Speaking" by Frank Stapleton...

He came accross as a bully and a thug who refused to take responsibility for any of his actions despite causing a lot of misery for those around him.

Read, "From There to Here, Irish Rugby in the Proffessional Era" recently enough. Interesting if not the best written of books.

pappyodaniel

ch2008 wrote: »

I thought that was one of the worst sports books I've read, and I've read "Frankly Speaking" by Frank Stapleton...

He came accross as a bully and a thug who refused to take responsibility for any of his actions despite causing a lot of misery for those around him.

No chance, you can't compare Gazza to any other man on the street. He suffers from an array of psychiatric problems, schizophrenia, tourettes, A.D.D and O.C.D, not to mention alcoholism, bullimia and drug problems. His family leeched off the man for years. I remember one story where he bought his dad a brand new boat. A few weeks later Gazza's dad (pikey scumbag) sold the boat back to him for more than it was worth. Quite a simple man when it came to every day conventions like handling money, he's also been living in hotels for decades.
I'm not defending the man, he did some horrible things but you wouldn't go into a psychiatric hospital and look up patients case histories and tell them to cop on, getta job and start living in the real world.
It doesn't work like that.

Frank 'inanyways' Stapleton ...:eek: