: Peter Burns, Tom English
: The Men in the Arena England, Australia and the Battle for the 2003 Rugby World Cup
: Polaris
: 9781915359162
: 1
: CHF 13.80
:
: Ballsport
: English
: 416
: Wasserzeichen
: PC/MAC/eReader/Tablet
: ePUB
The ultimate World Cup showdown, in the words of those who were there. Shortlisted for the Sports Book Awards Rugby Book of the Year. From 1997 to 2003 England and Australia battled for domination of the rugby world in one of the greatest rivalries the sport has ever known. In The Men in the Arena, William Hill shortlisted authors Peter Burns and Tom English explore every aspect of the teams' journey to the 2003 Rugby World Cup final, telling the story primarily in the words of the protagonists at the centre of the battle. Featuring exclusive new interviews with players and coaches from both teams plus an array of superstars who faced them from New Zealand, Ireland, France, Wales and beyond, this is the inside story like it has never been told before.'A splendid re-telling of English rugby's most celebrated story. Cracking stuff from start to finish' - Robert Kiston, The Guardian

Peter Burns is an editor and publisher, and is author of several books including Behind the Thistle: Playing Rugby for Scotland, Behind the Ryder Cup: The Players' Stories, White Gold: England's Journey to World Cup Glory. He is also the co-author of Behind the Lions: Playing Rugby for the British& Irish Lions, the bestselling When Lions Roared, This is Your Everest and Men in the Arena.

CAST OF CHARACTERS

featuring

FROM AUSTRALIA

Eddie Jones: Head coach. ‘I didn’t have any athletic gifts, so I became a competitor. I fought. You’ve got to find some other ways of being in the game.’

Mat Rogers: Fullback. Son of a rugby league legend. ‘He was my hero – he wasevery kid’s hero back then. He’d just get swarmed by people. I’d stand there in awe at how adored he was.’

Wendell Sailor: Wing. Fast, powerful, the life and soul of the party. The gregariousness hides deep scar tissue. ‘You can call me Wendell, Big Del, the People’s Champion, whatever you like, mate.’

Stirling Mortlock: Centre. Terminator. Scary in attack and defence. ‘I was on the boat when the crocodile nearly ate half our team.’

Elton Flatley: Centre. Deadly with the boot. ‘You know you’re a kicker when you start enjoying those pressure moments.’

Lote Tuqiri: Wing. Born in Korolevu, Fiji. Iconic rugby league star who switched to union. ‘There was a fair bit of racism. I copped it. It got my back up, I’ve gotta say. It