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Dispatch From The Rugby Road
Jonnie Cox
December 03, 2008
We ploughed down the M4 Saturday morning. TD and I, pedal to the metal on a mission for ‘god’ -- that ‘god’ being one George Smith, born Manly, NSW and possibly the best rugby player in the world. Sounds a bit like a beer commercial, I know.
Observations On A Month Of Rugby ...
Jonnie Cox
November 28, 2008
In a week we will go back to the hum-drum of club rugby as the northern hemisphere slides toward Christmas. Certainly November has become the most compressed month of international rugby in the calendar but yet nothing other than pride and the odd ranking point is actually played for. Surely if this much rugby can be packed into a month could it not be reshaped into something more meaningful other than playing for bragging rights? In any event a few observations below of the weekend’s matches in line with themes touched on last week.
Hallowed Ground
Jonnie Cox
November 21, 2008
I’m upset today. I missed the rugby event of the century last Tuesday night. If you have ever been to Thomond Park you understand that it ranks up there with the greatest grounds of the world. I’m not talking about sitting in the nose bleeds watching overpaid players, with zero life experience, who’ll later that night be a threat to the chastity of your sister, daughter, or niece. No, I mean that ground where you experienced the wonder of rugby -- either as a player and/or as spectator. Where the unique camaraderie of rugby reeks from the rafters.
From The Back Row To The Oval Office
Jonnie Cox
November 06, 2008
Forgive me for this overwhelming sense of joy. Not only has the world’s beacon of modernity turned the light back on atop the hill, but this Saturday sees a bonanza of international rugby.
I wouldn’t begin to make sense of the implication of all these fixtures to be held on one day so I think the best thing to do is tell the very average rugby story of Barack Obama, who as you guessed it, was a quite an ordinary rugby player, but my word he never gave in.
Tough To Make Inroads Against All Black Machine
Jonnie Cox
October 31, 2008
Well, International rugby returns this weekend and have we missed it?
A glance at Northern Hemisphere rugby, the Heineken Cup, EDF Cup and respective competitions in France and the British Isles has meant a great number of former antipodean internationals and current European stars playing some incredibly meaningful games.
Tags: Chris Whittaker , Leicester, Air New Zealand Cup, Australia, Bakkies Botha, Bledisloe Cup, Canterbury, Currie Cup, Heineken Cup, James Horwill, New Zealand, Richie McCaw, Rocky Elsom, Wycliff Palu,
Desperateness in the play of the New Zealanders?
Jonnie Cox
September 12, 2008
“There is a note of what might be called desperation – or better still
desperateness in the play of the New Zealanders… That is how the New
Zealanders play, as if their hope of eternal welfare depends upon
success. Every nerve and sinew braced all but to snapping point.”
Lloyd Jones, The book of fame.
Not The First, Nor The Last.
Jonnie Cox
September 04, 2008
“Well they are not the first, and they won’t be the last lot to get pumped at altitude.”
No, this is not the tag line for the new Contiki-tour brochure. Instead, just another great sage from New Zealand letting us all know how important is to win at the right time. The Kiwis know that better than anyone, as did my mate, another ex-pat enjoying the sunshine in cosmopolitan London.
Tags: Ryan Cross, Nathan Hynes , Timan Tahu, Dan Vickerman, Matt Dunning, Adam Ashley-Cooper , Australia, Butch James, Conrad Jantjes, Ellis Park, George Smith, James Horwill, Peter de Villiers, Richie McCaw, Robbie Deans, Schalk Burger, South Africa,
Blood And Guts ... Not War
Jonnie Cox
August 29, 2008
All warfare is based on deception.
Sun Tzu, "The Art of War”
Why is it that at least once a season some hack has to trot out some over-used line from Sun Tzu, often taken entirely out of context, in an effort to dress rugby in some Imperial, 19th Century notion of modern warfare? Rugby is not war.
KIngs Park Set For A Tri Nations Barnburner
Jonnie Cox
August 21, 2008
Unrest in Pakistan at the resignation of President Musharraf, allegations of ethnic killing in Georgia, the worst Taliban raids against allied forces in Afghanistan, Great Britain winning more gold medals than Australia at the Olympics -- tough to remain optimistic in these times.
Tags: Australia, Bryan Habana, Percy Montgomery, Peter de Villiers, Phil Waugh, Robbie Deans, Rocky Elsom, South Africa, Tri Nations, James Horwill,
Rugby Defines Ethos Of 'Team'
Jonnie Cox
August 12, 2008
“It is amazing what people can achieve in a team environment.”
Sunday evening the American 4 x 100m swimming team smashed the world record by nigh on 4 seconds, after Australian Eamon Sullivan had broken the individual 100 meter world record by over 1.5 seconds, in the leadoff leg of the Olympic final.
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