The RUGBYCAN

I met another South African rugby hound lurking and looking in the area for rugby jobs for his friends. This guy is okay I suppose when it comes to coaching.( I do have my misgivings based on the Springboks recent results) It was a bit amazing that he knew of Claude Du Vall, the notorious highwayman who used to frequent this establishment in the good old days. What was more amazing is this guy could [...]

I passed through Great Bridge which offers at The Morritt Arms some of the best food to be found even in Yorkshire. I had just sat down when a guy introduced himself and asked if he could be seated at my table as the Morritt Arms was quite full at that time of day. We both oddly enough ordered whisky and began to chat amiably. Before the opportunity arose for me to express my interest [...]

over a Chester ale and some wonderful English northwest of England cheese, I ran into a very downtrodden American, the very same guy I ran into the week before. You must recall my telling you about the American chap who knew everything about USA rugby and how the Olympic training sight in lovely California was changing for the better the thus far average USA seven-a-side team. This guy got it all wrong mate. The USA [...]

and he was a famous Kiwi coach. I had never heard of this guy and back then the All Blacks were not a subculture; they were just a good rugby team. Now the AB are some sort of icons or demigods and I am not certain that I feel that way toward them. I do feel that the AB are a very good side and a country with many great players. At that time the [...]

from the USA who claimed to be a seven-a-side expert. Being the sort of guy that I am I believed him, for a short period. I mean the dialogue went from the sublime to the ridiculous but listened I did whilst consuming a few absinthes ala Alfred Jarry the French absurdist and literary figure. I followed with admiration the fact the the USA Olympic committee had opened up training facilities for twenty elite players as [...]

with its stone walls three feet thick and standing for four centuries I did indeed dine on a superb venison with a guy who was to tell me about the new rugby coach in South Africa. This establishment could not have been any more appropriate with the moors a little more than two miles away and and the ruins of Rievaulx as close. Political correctness is a waord by way of America I should think [...]

I prefer to think of rugby and the betting or punting that accompanies it as a business. One can be deceived all to well by ‘thinking’ that ‘your’ side is better. To further my brief dissertation I , unlike some other famous pundit, do not think the Crusaders will win the SR crown. It is not in my best interest to tout the South African side when the like of the Chiefs, Highlanders, Hurricanes, and [...]

on collared eel and ale when(you got it) I met this guy who wanted me to participate in a practical joke. I am to be the producer/director of a rugby film in need of this guy in the cast. The joke is to be played on this guy, who, is famous in the rugby world for his practical jokes. Between bites of cold eel this is what this guy told me he wanted to do [...]

It is so ridiculously easy. When the ruck is formed and the offensive side is protecting with that one fellow just standing there alone…follow me…now listen carefully …there needs to be three or more defensive players there and in sync…..the first two engage the ruck lightly and grab the offensively set player….now all in unison…pull him across…make certain that you have garbbed him propetly from wither side so he cannot resist… he may.. if he [...]

in the The Feathers at Ludlow, Shropshire. He was a fabulous rugby player who earned 0 caps for his country and close to eighty or so for his adopted country. I never really liked how this guy managed to play for his adopted country and still don’t. I do know that he could never have played for his country. I was studying the menu , as I often do at well known eateries and pubs, [...]