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Nick Bishop has worked as a rugby analyst and advisor to Graham Henry (1999-2003), Mike Ruddock (2004-2005) and most recently Stuart Lancaster (2011-2015). He also worked on the 2001 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia and produced his first rugby book with Graham Henry at the end of the tour. Three more rugby books have followed, all of which of have either been nominated for or won national sports book awards. Nick’s latest is a biography of Phil Larder, the first top Rugby League coach to successfully transfer over to Union, entitled “The Iron Curtain”. He is currently writing articles for The Roar and The Rugby Site, and working as a strategy consultant to Stuart Lancaster and the Leinster coaching staff for their European and Pro 14 playoff matches. Leinster achieved the double of European Champions Cup and Pro 14 league winners in 2018. They repeated their Pro 14 win in 2019 and finished runners-up to Saracens in Europe.
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They say that it is the young who should sit at the foot of the elderly, and learn from the wisdom accumulated over the span of a lifetime. In Australian rugby right now, it may just be the other way around.
It is no secret that Sir Graham Henry’s favourite tipple is a bottle of Argentine Malbec.
When is a strength not a strength? How does one become a weakness? In the preparation for rugby games, the answer to those questions is an essential part of the plan.
‘La Bombonera no tiembla. Late’. The Bombonera doesn’t tremble. It beats. That is the legend for one of the most famous football stadiums in the world, and its meaning is quite literal.
Erik Howard winced as he felt the familiar spasms in his lower back on the physio’s table. The worse they were, the better he had played. It was a ready-made barometer of performance, although he knew the pain would not leave him in his life after football.
Has there been a seismic shift in Australian rugby? With only one round of the regular Super Rugby season remaining, it is no longer the traditional power bases that sit atop that conference.
There is nothing quite like walking down the empty corridor of a care home for the elderly. The echo of your own footsteps seems just a little louder, the silence surrounding it a little deeper.
There is no getting under, over or around the fact. Whoever wins the battle of the big men – the really big men – on a rugby pitch tends to win the game.
Back in the early years of a new millennium, then-London club Wasps was regarded as a rehabilitation centre for rugby players who had lost their way in the game.
Take the curious case of James Johnston. Back in 2013, Johnston was one of the hottest properties in the English Rugby Premiership.
David Marques had just been kicked in the head by Maori prop Albie Pryor.
The look on Chris Robshaw’s after the match review said it all. ‘Robbo’ had just had his first taste of The Michael Hooper Experience back in November 2013, and he had not enjoyed it.
Dave Alred must be watching the developments in Australian rugby with hawkish interest from the perch in his new Ballymore roost. Alred is currently part of the Queensland Reds coaching group, entrusted with the improvement of the club’s kicking game.
Four years ago, venerable Victor Matfield was the comeback king.
Who can imagine Eric Morecambe without Ernie Wise? Who can think of HG Nelson without summoning ‘Rampaging’ Roy Slaven in the same mental breath?
It is a new era. The Wallaby selection panel of one is now three, and dictatorship has been replaced by something a lot more democratic.
“When we arrived, it was like the whole airport just stopped and turned.
A square peg won’t go into a round hole – it is one of the axioms of life. In rugby terms, that means trying to get the right fit for every position on the field, which has been a besetting issue for the Wallabies under Michael Cheika.
It has been a tumultuous ten days in the world of rugby, both north and south.
I believe he has to be contracted to one of the SR franchises after the WC in order to become eligible FB (he’s won less than 60 caps)…
With the Rugby Championship about to start, here's what Michael Cheika can learn from the Junior Wallabies
Yes it’s not too hard to see why the Tahs are struggling to sign a top coach in Europe. Their recruitment policy doesn’t make a lot of sense. Skelton has shown he has WB quality and gotten into condition to play footy… Half of Folau’s salary would be enough to get him back :0
With the Rugby Championship about to start, here's what Michael Cheika can learn from the Junior Wallabies
Thanks M!
With the Rugby Championship about to start, here's what Michael Cheika can learn from the Junior Wallabies
Time and a bit of patience on the coaching front will solve that one N.
With the Rugby Championship about to start, here's what Michael Cheika can learn from the Junior Wallabies
Aye.
With the Rugby Championship about to start, here's what Michael Cheika can learn from the Junior Wallabies
Agree that the front-rowers prob need a bit more physical development – Lonergan prob the closest at hooker…
Nick Frost certainly seems to have got his head screwed on in respect of what environments will improve him quickest, doesn’t he? 🙂
With the Rugby Championship about to start, here's what Michael Cheika can learn from the Junior Wallabies
I doubt they’ll get a look in before this WC, but it might not do any harm to attach one or two to the senior squad to give them a taste of how things are run…
With the Rugby Championship about to start, here's what Michael Cheika can learn from the Junior Wallabies
Cheers Geoff.
With the Rugby Championship about to start, here's what Michael Cheika can learn from the Junior Wallabies
It’s just a crying shame that their potential appears to have been reached after they are lost to the game in Australia RW 🙁
With the Rugby Championship about to start, here's what Michael Cheika can learn from the Junior Wallabies
Cheers Jez.
With the Rugby Championship about to start, here's what Michael Cheika can learn from the Junior Wallabies
Let’s hope it’s no too token though Chook…
With the Rugby Championship about to start, here's what Michael Cheika can learn from the Junior Wallabies
I’ll wait to see what teams are selected before I answer that one Jonty!
With the Rugby Championship about to start, here's what Michael Cheika can learn from the Junior Wallabies
Not really, and I don’t know whether he can run a defence from there either. Sale have used him more at 12, to the best of my knowledge Mitch.
With the Rugby Championship about to start, here's what Michael Cheika can learn from the Junior Wallabies
Yes good points about the Blues, and agree re: Steven Luatua. I guess Mike Cron got to Angus just in time!
With the Rugby Championship about to start, here's what Michael Cheika can learn from the Junior Wallabies
Always liked his music Geoff, esp the Doobies stuff and his covers of old Soul classics. Also vg live on stage…
One of my mates came back buzzing from this live concert in the Redwood trees of California, when I was staying there!
With the Rugby Championship about to start, here's what Michael Cheika can learn from the Junior Wallabies
I look forward to the exclusive interview Geoffrey 😀
With the Rugby Championship about to start, here's what Michael Cheika can learn from the Junior Wallabies
It’s hard to see where either the Tahs or the Reds are going to improve significantly Bobby, because they’re losing the players around which the teams ought to be built 🙂
With the Rugby Championship about to start, here's what Michael Cheika can learn from the Junior Wallabies
But he also made a rod for his own back by doing so Jacko. He hasn’t been able to replace that leadership core and there is no real prospect of him being able to.
Moreover, he’s also recruited JOC, who allegedly has had just as many drug issues as those he expelled!
With the Rugby Championship about to start, here's what Michael Cheika can learn from the Junior Wallabies
Yes Campo was primarily a finisher who also happened to have the high-level skills to create for others (and even kick when the fancy took him!). Could have played 10 at Test level if he’d wanted too….
With the Rugby Championship about to start, here's what Michael Cheika can learn from the Junior Wallabies
Yes, a shoot-out between Samu and JOC for 12 I’d say. But you could be comfortable with JOC on the bench covering both 10 and the centres. The way the WB coaches think, that prob means Beale starting at 15.
With the Rugby Championship about to start, here's what Michael Cheika can learn from the Junior Wallabies
Ah.
With the Rugby Championship about to start, here's what Michael Cheika can learn from the Junior Wallabies
Can’t remember. Hodge would go to the wing in attack; though would play more traditional full back. Or DHP would have this traditional FB role in defense.
Sounds like the essence of the WB attack confusion Connor 😀
With the Rugby Championship about to start, here's what Michael Cheika can learn from the Junior Wallabies
They all say that ofc, but it would be madness to try and convert him back to 15 again now.
It is almost as if the WB coaching staff have a conspiracy against playing players in their natural positions, and just leaving them there to do their jobs!
With the Rugby Championship about to start, here's what Michael Cheika can learn from the Junior Wallabies
My sources tell me that the Tahs have been in contact with a number of top NH coaches Jez. They certainly need a proven head man, given the dwindling of their playing resources in the past coupla years….
With the Rugby Championship about to start, here's what Michael Cheika can learn from the Junior Wallabies
CLL far less so than the others you mention…. I don’t think there has been an outstanding 10 in SR this year, which may leave Foley still standing 🙂
With the Rugby Championship about to start, here's what Michael Cheika can learn from the Junior Wallabies