By James Mortimer
November 6th 2008 @ 2:09am
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England consumed by winning, not playing attractive rugby
A Pacific Island bash will test a new looking England before hosting the three giants of Southern Hemisphere rugby power. However, Johnson’s first selection has made the multi-million agreement between the Rugby Football Union and the Premiership clubs look flawed.
The purpose of the contract was primarily to keep the clubs from imposing restrictions on the national set up, but it came with the devil’s proviso that the squad be named far beyond the actual playing of Test matches.
On the surface it is a brilliant piece of paper.
It means that the imperialistic clubs cannot impose draconic restrictions on what are their monetary investments. But it also allows Martin Johnson, manager and prime selector of the team, everything that a top level coach requires: a view of his best team, time to plan and prepare, and months of contact with his ‘elite squad.’
But while it will be a long wait to see if the Red Rose Army can again stride the planet in dominance, the loss of someone over a month ago as important as Jonny Wilkinson gives opportunity for new players such as the talented Danny Cipriani (or Mr Celebriani, as the Wasps would have you know him) to come to the fore, despite Johnson being very upset at Wilkinson’s injury.
But the loss of England’s premier utility back in Sale three-quarter Matthew Tait is a massive blow, more for the fact that he was being touted as the long term option for full back – a position in the English backline never quite there since the retirement of Jason Robinson.
Likewise of Luke Narraway, one of the few players to leave the New Zealand tour with his reputation advanced.
This has led to a naming of a young team with four new starting caps – although the team still has a healthy spread of experience, especially in the pack. The evolution of the England Saxon’s as the central feeder team into the national set-up has helped the promotion of local talent.
Delon Armitage, Ugo Monye, Riki Flutey and Nick Kennedy are the debutants in the England team to start against the Pacific Islanders on Saturday.
Johnson said of his first picked squad, “There are lots of new caps and new faces around but there is also some experience. We are happy with the guys we have picked. There are some new caps in there and it is exciting. These guys are bursting to get out on the field. It is an exciting back line. It is important to hit the ground running. It will be very fast and furious in the first 25 minutes. We need to control that as much as we can.”
Big Nick Kennedy partners new captain Steve Borthwick in the second row after a sound season with London Irish – ahead of Wasps locks Tom Palmer and Simon Shaw.
This forms a solid tight five, with the Bath combination of Matt Stevens and Lee Mears combining with the formidable presence of Sales Andrew Sheridan. Former captain Phil Vickery will be on the bench.
Armitage and Monye will start as new caps at fullback and wing – with the latter being in scintillating form for Harlequins. They will combine with Paul Sackey, with the Wasps flyer being England’s premier wing and leading try scorer since last year.
In the midfield, Jamie Noon represents the most capped back in the England team, and combines with Riki Flutey, who will debut at inside centre.
The former Hurricanes, New Zealand Maori and Junior All Black representative has qualified on residency grounds and the 28 year-old has been a revelation in the last twelve months. He was instrumental in Wasps’ late attack on the Guinness Premiership last season and ended up playing at fly-half in the final after Danny Cipriani suffered a gruesome ankle injury.
‘Celebriani’ is the young England prodigy who spends as much time in the spotlight off the field as on it, but offers so much attacking promise that his Wasp’s combination with Flutey could well be the genesis of a new all attacking England.
He will combine with young Harlequins scrum half Danny Care, who has risen to prominence after a solid tour of New Zealand and an outstanding recent six months in the Premiership.
It is clear the grizzled veteran Johnson is look to the future, but it is interesting to note the difference between him and his former coach Clive Woodward.
Johnson has signalled – like Woodward - the all-consuming importance of winning, based on the motivation of hoisting trophies and winning games rather than playing attractive football. So it is likely that he will focus on a forwards game; much like the style that carried Johnson’s England to World Cup success.
So far, one could say the parallels are more than coincidence, as Johnson’s five new caps in his first 22 are the same as Woodward’s five new caps in his first team that played Australia in 1997.
Even more canny was the selection of Woodward’s three new starting caps in the backline: a fullback, a centre, and a wing – just like Johnson. However, a total of 53 caps in Johnson’s new backline pales in comparisons with Woodward’s 64.
But Johnson has shown immediately that he will not select players based on experience.
While Brian Smith, England’s attack coach, may have plotted with Johnson to create a new breed of attacking backline genius, it will count for little should England’s forwards fail to lay the clichéd platform for rugby dominance.
With Robbie Deans’ Wallabies, the World Champion Springboks and the number one ranked All Blacks then coming to Twickenhams door, we shall know a lot more about England before the year’s end.
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To answer your question, Paul Okon is their coach. He is relatively young...
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Rowdy said | November 6th 2008 @ 2:30am | Report comment
“Johnson has signalled – like Woodward - the all-consuming importance of winning, based on the motivation of hoisting trophies and winning games rather than playing attractive football. So it is likely that he will focus on a forwards game; much like the style that carried Johnson’s England to World Cup success.”
I disagree - I think he will concentrate on winningm, and winning ugly if necessary, much to Spiro’s horror; but I think he will try to make the best use of the players who are in form. In Woowaas reign, we had a terrific pack and so we played to that strength. Now we seem to have a number of young playmakers in the backs, no grizzled 2nd rowers and a backrow that looks fast and aggressive, so perhaps the style England will play will be to aim to dominate the lineouts, hit the rucks, not get bullied in the scrum and get the ball out fast to the runners (this may involve heavy use of the miss-pass to avoid number 13).
Benjamin said | November 6th 2008 @ 7:25am | Report comment
A lot of fans forget the games when England dazzled the world, like the game in Melbourne. England had some of the most creative backs going in that period: Catt; Greenwood and Robinson, but they also had the toughest and most accurate pack, thus as the 2003 WC approached they reverted to conservatism - something that is a natural adjunct of pressure. However this current squad does not have a set of forwards to match, so I agree Rowdy, the backs may have a greater role to play.
James, the RFU EPS agreement is a step in the right direction but one cannot ignore that it makes form redundant which must be somewhat demoralising to the players not selected. However it offers England a chance to compete somewhere near level footing.
True Tah said | November 6th 2008 @ 7:31am | Report comment
I agree with you Ben.
People only focus on the 2003 WC finals - from 2000-03, people seem to forget some of the hidings the Poms dished out, as an Australian, the loss in Melbourne in 2003 was pretty stark, but the English showed that they knew how to run the ball. That and winning the game in NZ and the win over the Maori really showed to me that these guys could play to their opposition and win.
Looking forward to seeing the game - Ben is this the first time the whole of the England starting back 3 have been black guys?
Benjamin said | November 6th 2008 @ 7:40am | Report comment
Tah, Australia also outscored England over their stellar period, so it wasn’t one way traffic but in general that England team was years ahead of the other European teams and SA too. It’s all too easy to fall into ‘pom bashing’. Hopefully we can see some more running rugby from this new team. It seems a bit of a SH myth that European rugby fans only appreciate rolling mauls and right handers, either that or some fans just do not want to respect NH rugby?
Anyhow… geez.. I’m not sure. I believe so. England first had a black player in 1906 (the fly half) but have often had black wingers, however I don’t recall any black full backs, so I would guestimate that you’re right Tah.
Ian Noble said | November 6th 2008 @ 8:47am | Report comment
True Tah
Yes it is, known as the “three blacks” by Ugo Moyne. I am particularly pleased for Ugo, as a Quins STH he has been on fire this season. Because of injury and other reasons it has taken him longer to breakthrough than others, he is now 25. Incidently he ran 10.6 for the 100 metres at 16 and choose rugby in preference to athletics when he couldn’t keep with Olympic runner Mark Lewis-Francis, who won gold in the 4×100 relay at the Athens 2004.
Delon Armitage plays with Peter Hewat at London Irish and sometimes alternates with Hewat at full back, when Hewat moves to 10 or 13. When he lived in France, his English father was in IT, he played for France U16. He is seriously quick and has played on the wing for LI. He is one of five brothers all rugby mad of which his 16 year old brother is 16st and 6′ 4″ playing centre for England U16. His youngest brother plays prop and is the highest scoring prop in his age group. His other brother Bevon and Steffan are professional rugby players playing for Doncaster in ND1 and London Irish. Steffan is a No 7 and is close to English selection, presently playing for the Saxons.
The back line of the PI will be a real challenge and it will seriously question this relatively inexperienced English back line, but that is how it should be.
Ian Noble said | November 6th 2008 @ 8:50am | Report comment
Tur Tah
Apologies the quote should have been “black three”.
van der Merwe said | November 6th 2008 @ 8:55am | Report comment
Robinson, Benjamin?
True Tah said | November 6th 2008 @ 9:02am | Report comment
Benjamin,
Jason Robinson was of partial Jamaican ancestry and he played fullback.
Its going back a few years, but I think Paul Hull was a fullback as well.
There have been plenty of Englishmen of African ancestry to play for England - Chris Oti, Steve Ojomoh, Victor Ubogu, Jeremy Guscott, Adebayo Adedayo, Sackey, Topsy Ojo, I read somewhere Cipriani is of Trinidad descent as well??
It can only be a good thing for English rugby that these guys are prepared to give the game a go - Ugo Monye, a few years ago, he probably would have stuck with a career in athletics, now the game can be seen as a career - in general I think the RFU is targetting a lot more working class guys these days, I only wish the ARU was as progressive…
sheek said | November 6th 2008 @ 9:04am | Report comment
Look, all countries go through stages of attractiveness & dullness. Mostly, it’s to do with the cattle available at the time.
Some readers mention Melbourne 2003. Yes, the Poms were brilliant then. And their team of 1991, despite being much maligned by Campese, were capable of attractive rugby.
The Boks are renowned for rugged rugby, but not always attractive rugby. their team of 1971, which visited Australia, played attractive rugby (probably because they knew they would get away with it against weak Aussie sides). Their team of the 80s, which unfortunately weren’t seen too often, were capable of outstanding rugby.
In the late 1970s, before the Ellas hit the scene, the Wallabies were playing a conservative forwards based game. We simply didn’t have the backs to play it another way, the 3rd test against the ABs in 1978 a rare exception.
I admire the NZ way. They always try to be positive in their rugby, although interestingly, they have been through their dull periods also. Maybe this positive attitude at all times has cost them several World Cups. Maybe.
In any case, all countries go through stages. Australia haven’t had an attractive style for some time. We’re trying under Deans, but we’re still struggling up front. Any country playing positive attacking rugby will get my vote. It’s why I watch & love the game.
Mart said | November 6th 2008 @ 9:38am | Report comment
Sheek - I’m with you, cycles are always there for any team. That’s why I was pleased to see the Eng selection for the PI game. It is inexperienced but the aim is clearly to play a different game than the Poms have done in recent past in the backs, whether prompted by the ELVs or not. Gets my vote over some of the dross served up by them recently. I’d think Jonno is right to want winning ruby - why be brilliant / flash and always lose ? The interesting thing for me is that the Pom pack still need to perform like, well, a Pom pack to let the new set of backs have a run. And you’d have to think that such an inexperienced team would lack defensively compared to a more experienced one ? I’m sticking by my prediction that Eng will lose 3, maybe 4, of the AIs due to the number of “new” factors in their mix, but if they actually try and embrace entertaining rugby and show signs of progressing then I doubt many folk would be unduly worried. Every new era has to start somewhere ! Who knows - they may play more PI style than the PIs !
Mart said | November 6th 2008 @ 9:59am | Report comment
Sorry - forgot ! Sheek, agree with you about 100% admiring the NZ way. Apropos of nothing I had a (albeit alcohol induced) day in a corporate tent on Cup Day with a client who used to be part of the Auckland coaching setup. Great bloke. His comments on the successive RWC crashes was that the NZ “ethos” somewhat leads to this - it’s not enough to just win, we must win well, get all of our lineouts, nick 2 or 3 of the oppositions etc. Also that NZ have worked out you must have 3 ‘game changers’ to win - his view was in the RWC quarter they had 2, McAlister and Carter, and when both went off (nin, injury) it exposed NZ. Interesting. Also that Henry has great rapport with the islanders and that partially explians the current great AB mix. But what struck me most was that for 2 old duffers who grew up on opposite sides of the rugby world our views on most things good / bad about teams, the game etc were remarkably similar ! So why can’t the IRB bang some heads and get everyone else onside with one version of the bloody game ?!
Colin N said | November 6th 2008 @ 11:05am | Report comment
Good article James, one of the few fair articles on English rugby. It is a talented but inexperienced back-line. However, hopefully with this new agreement between club and country, it will give them enough time to gell together.
Benjamin said | November 6th 2008 @ 11:52am | Report comment
van der Merwe, Tah you’re right about Robinson. Tah, you’re right about Paul Hull as well, I just couldn’t get my mind past Adedayo. Hull completely slipped my mind. Cipriani is indeed biracial. His father is from Trinidad and his mum is English. I’m not sure if this is politically correct but you can tell if you see him up close.
Sheek, that’s a pretty fair comment but I think also the motivation of the coach is key. A coach has to desire that end product and doesn’t necessarily need the talent to do so. Woodward turned Cohen into a very good winger and he was hardly an all-round footballer.
Mart, what dross have England served up recently?
Benjamin said | November 6th 2008 @ 11:58am | Report comment
Tah, just briefly… rugby in England is actually played, in majority, by the working class. That is my experience of amateur club rugby anyhow. I think the professional game is somewhat different. Cipriani was ‘poached’ by a private school and given a sports scholarship. Of the current squad Haskell, Geraghty, Varndell, Monye etc were all private school boys too. A lot of young men are given scholarships and thus certain private schools act as finishing schools prior to their acceptances at academies. So there is a slight disparity between the amateur and pro game.
True Tah said | November 6th 2008 @ 12:03pm | Report comment
Benjamin
I sort of suspected that might have been the case, I guess a lot of English futbol and league supporters have always referred to rugby as a game played only by toffs…in Australia its sort of the same, well certainly at senior amateur level.
I think Cipriani was from a single parent family, and he was from a council housing estate, his abilities on the rugby field enabled him to get himself ahead in life I suppose.
Mart said | November 6th 2008 @ 12:08pm | Report comment
Ben - what dross have Englnd served up recently ? Er, performances on last tours to NZ and Aus, style and paucity of play in the last 6N (Ireland game excepted when they finally picked Cipriani), style and paucity of play in the last RWC (yep, it got them to the final but can you honestly say it was enjoyable rugby to watch, possible exceptions being the Aus and Fra games for their drama given they were close)……
ohtani's jacket said | November 6th 2008 @ 2:08pm | Report comment
England really weren’t that bad on their tour to New Zealand. I’ve seen worse.
Arky said | November 6th 2008 @ 3:54pm | Report comment
Benjamin - your participation in these forums is quite a feat - do you have a job? Do you ever sleep?
Chris Ash, syd Aust said | November 6th 2008 @ 4:32pm | Report comment
Is this game being broadcasted on FOX SPORTS ?
where can we watch it down under (bar going to a pub that has setanta at 2am in the morning or whatever)
Starting early sunday morning there is:
01:00 am - 03:00 am LIVE Rugby Union : International Italy v Australia FOX Sports 1
01:24 am - 03:30 am LIVE Rugby Union : Test Match Wales v South Africa FOX Sports 3
04:09 am - 06:30 am LIVE Rugby Union : Test Match Scotland v New Zealand FOX Sports 3
06:54 am - 09:00 am LIVE Rugby Union : Test Match France v Argentina FOX Sports 3
09:00 am - 10:30 am Rugby Union : Test Match Ireland v Canada FOX Sports 3
12:00 pm - 01:30 pm Rugby Union : Test Match Italy v Australia FOX Sports 3
01:30 pm - 03:00 pm Rugby Union : Test Match Wales v South Africa FOX Sports 3
03:00 pm - 04:30 pm Rugby Union : Test Match Scotland v New Zealand
Westy said | November 6th 2008 @ 9:31pm | Report comment
Benjamin…..I think in Australia the majority of players in the amateur subbies are working class / lower middle. Class exists in Australia but in Australia we have a powerful egalitarian code…even if only in our national pysche ….it is much more unacceptable in Australia to favour the channelling of selection resources and technical skills to private school rugby. Nevertheless this is the uncomfortable reality. No other code Aussie Rules, League or football rejoice in having 15% of all Wallabies from one shool. Many in rugby do and this explains why in Australia rugby much to my regret runs in at number four not only in juniors but support in crowds and amongst the Australian population.
.My hope is that boys who play at state schools or in district competitions in Australia can continue in such state schools and especially in district junior competitions that the private school boys do not play in or do not give preference to. and over their junior years get access to the necessary technical skills. It is rugby that must invest here as every other code does. I am still an avid Australian rugby supporter . There is a barb int he tail. English rugby plays australia’s fourth ranked code . God help you if it ever became the second or even third code.
Benjamin said | November 6th 2008 @ 10:17pm | Report comment
Arky, I have been rather prominent over the past two days haven’t I! Must be that uptight English attitude. I stayed up for the election previously which finished at around 6am English time, and last night it was my bday and I went to a late night viewing of ‘Burn After Reading’ with my gf… so I’ve been up pretty late two nights in a row now. I’m a trainee FA, so work is pretty lax anyhow.
OJ, geez… I’m not sure about that.
Mart, I would completely accept that England were possibly at their worst ever under Andy Robinson. Very, very sad times. However there were moments of glimmer under Ashton, specifically in a number of the 6N games. It can’t be said that he reverted to conservatism. In England he was widely criticised for his loose playing ethos and how many young players he capped. I think England’s gameplan in the WC was a reaction to this as the majority of players did not feel comfortable playing under such guidelines, or a lack thereof.
Westy, this mainly happens because many state schools do not play rugby. However there is still a strong link with the fans so there isn’t an elitist attitude amongst the players, which is nice.
I completely agree about Australia’s over achievements however conversely, imagine if rugby were to move higher up the food chain in England and France.
Benjamin said | November 6th 2008 @ 10:39pm | Report comment
Westy, (to cont.) to develop that football point - Cipriani, Barkley, Crane and Care were all members of football acadamies but dropped out at 15/6. That is a widespread phenomena throughout the GP.
ohtani's jacket said | November 6th 2008 @ 11:38pm | Report comment
Benjamin, I thought France were far, far worse the year before.
Benjamin said | November 6th 2008 @ 11:56pm | Report comment
Perhaps OJ. I’d forgotten about Les Bleus. Having said that England did have an allegedly ’superior’ team than that French touring side. I think the Rob Andrew press-bytes and sex scandal might be clouding my objectivity, however! The defence of that England team was embarassing - Hodgson, Barkley, Noon.. yuck. Mike Tindall said that the backs only practised moves for half an hour during the whole tour. Insania.
ohtani's jacket said | November 7th 2008 @ 12:04am | Report comment
They put some points on us which is a positive thing. They did the same at Twickenham in 2006.
Benjamin said | November 7th 2008 @ 2:43am | Report comment
I suppose it was positive in a sense but less positive in that it was illogical, an abberation. The points England scored were not a natural adjunct of consistent, good play. Hopefully there will be signs of consistency from this new England - an evident game plan, something they are working towards.
Colin N said | November 7th 2008 @ 3:59am | Report comment
I thought England played quite well against New Zealand in 2006 and a lot of that was orchestrated by Hodgson as he got some decent ball from the forwards. It’s a shame he’s never made it on the international scene because he’s such a talented footballer.
Benjamin said | November 7th 2008 @ 4:35am | Report comment
He did get a run though Colin. I specifically recall the 32-16 (ish) game v SA when he played well. He just lacks that top tier consistency. It’s perplexing to think that he hasn’t improved his tackling but then I suppose it’s a mindset. A lot of tackles must be split-second at that level and some people’s natural reaction is to shy away or not to commit fully. I don’t think playing at Sale has advanced his game that much IMO.
Nick (KIA) said | November 7th 2008 @ 7:57am | Report comment
Benjamin - I might be ill informed - what’s an “FA” that you’re in the process of training to be?
Benjamin said | November 7th 2008 @ 8:03am | Report comment
Financial Advisor, Nick.
Nick (KIA) said | November 7th 2008 @ 8:05am | Report comment
Ah, excellent. Trying times for your profession, seeking solace in the oval ball is a good idea.
Benjamin said | November 7th 2008 @ 8:06am | Report comment
Don’t really enjoy it to be honest. Not sure I want to do it. It’s make my mind up time.
Nick (KIA) said | November 7th 2008 @ 8:08am | Report comment
Hmmm…. problematic. Similarly, not enthralled by my current occupation, but change is coming for me - I can recommend it.
There is probably an inverse relationship between job satisfaction and number of posts to the Roar, I’d guess.
Benjamin said | November 7th 2008 @ 8:09am | Report comment
Oh indeed, absolutely (to both points). Anyhow, roll on Saturday.. rugby league, rugby union, soccer and Calzaghe.
Colin N said | November 7th 2008 @ 11:02am | Report comment
Benjamin, you’re right about Hodgson’s mindset. Against Gloucester he put in a brilliant tackle against Vanicolo but I think sometimes he gets a bit too intimidated for some reason, even though he has proven for Sale that he can tackle in the ten region. I also think he’s had to live up to the legacy of Wilkinson, when he was injured. He was always in the spotlight. I don’t get it because most of the time for Sale he has defended in the ten region, except for this season, where it has had a negative effect on the attacking side of the team and also Matthew Tait’s position. I know it’s partly down to the NZ tour but he’s too good a player for Sale to be dropped for a consistant length of time just for his defensive weaknesses. He showed against Munster what a difference he makes to the side when he came on.
Benjamin said | November 7th 2008 @ 11:00pm | Report comment
Colin, I wouldn’t criticise Hodgson for it because I’m sure it’s a psychological reflex. Some rugby players are inherantly kamikaze, others aren’t. I see the same thing with Barkley. The question is whether it’s curable through sports psychiatry or anything else, or whether it isn’t and Hodgson must be shifted in the defensive line - as Sale have done - to full back. Throught his career I think it has been obvious that Hodgson is rather frail mentally, if he’s on fire he is on fire and if he’s down… then he is plumbing the depths. Personally I think he should change clubs, change his scenery. I am not a fan of Saint-Andre and it was interesting to see Hodgson’s response to SA’s rant following the London Irish debacle at home last season.
Colin N said | November 8th 2008 @ 12:56am | Report comment
As a Sale fan myself, you’re not the only one who’s not a fan of Saint-Andre. I think he’s a poor coach who’s lucky to have so much money and a good squad behind him. He makes bizarre decisions. The result against Clermont was brilliant but he said ‘you’re not going to beat Clermont if you play negatively,’ or something along those lines, which suggests he is telling his team to play for territory and it’s not working.
I don’t know how changing clubs would change Hodgson though, can you explain what you mean by that, I get where you’re coming from but I don’t think he’ll ever get into the England squad again. If the selection was on form for the fly-half berth for the AI’s then it wouId be Hodgson starting with Flood on the bench, that’s how well he’s played this season and every other injury free season he’s had for Sale for the last eight years. I and every other Sale fan would be gutted if he left.
Benjamin said | November 8th 2008 @ 3:28am | Report comment
Hodgson is used to being the ‘Daddy’ at Sale. McAlister’s presence will have eased his load somewhat but I think a change of scenery would benefit his game. I feel the same about Wilkinson at Newcastle. It’s easy for him to play well at Sale up in Manchester: small crowds, anonymity and not a great deal of pressure. Could you imagine him training under Shaun Edwards every day or having to lead a team like? I think Hodgson could either play it safe and plod along at Sale, hoping to win the occasional bit of silverware or accept a new challenge. To that extent I think Saint-Andre is holding him back a bit. That he is starting Wigglesworth implies he doesn’t trust Hodgson a great deal. Even when he came on against Clermont and played well it was only because Peel was injured.
Colin N said | November 8th 2008 @ 9:33am | Report comment
That he is starting Wigglesworth implies he doesn’t trust Hodgson a great deal,
I disagree with that-he played Wigglesworth against Clermont because he played well against Cardiff and then when Hodgson came on it improved the team greatly. Also Sale, I think, get bigger crowds than Wasps or they’re at least pretty similar.
Hodgson will definitely start against Worcester next Friday, because PSA knew he made a mistake by not starting him against Munster. If he doesn’t, you have to question saint-andre’s decision making.
Benjamin said | November 8th 2008 @ 10:13am | Report comment
If Hodgson is on the form that you said he is Colin then why was he dropped in the first place? I understand the French like scrumhalves to play 10 in the attacking phases but why would you drop your best player?
I wasn’t necessarily referring to the crowd figures more the city atmosphere. Manchester is a football town whilst London, with four GP rugby clubs, is the sort of place where you will get recognised. I’ve seen Cipriani out and about (we used to go to twin schools) and even in a small place like Croydon everyone knows who is is. Likewise I have seen Haskell getting a lot of attention in London. I am not suggesting that has improved them as players but I think it creates a different mentality because you’re status as a rugby players is constantly in the front of your mind. I’m struggling to articulate what I mean so feel free to rubbish it.
tarpo said | November 14th 2008 @ 9:25pm | Report comment
Benjamin, having read quite a lot of your contributions here at the roar, if you are looking at alternatives to a career as an FA, may I suggest journalism? I for one would rather read your musings on rugby related matters than much of the drivel that passes for professional rugby writers NH or SH.
I do love Spiro tho!!
Benjamin said | November 15th 2008 @ 2:32am | Report comment
Geez, thanks Tarpo, you’re making me blush. Everybody has to have a hobby and I offer the same sort of opinions as everybody else, nothing special. It would be a dream job for any Roarer, Spiro and Stephen Jones must have the life of Riley. Good luck to them I say.