For his final Observer report, our stalwart writer offers his reflections on decades covering a sport rich in drama and spectacle but that now stands at a crossroadsThe car was a cross between a Lada and a Trabant, a cut-and-shut probably. It was parked in a taxi rank outside the one hotel in Bucharest that had any swank or alcohol. It was 1994 and the following day Wales were playing Romania as punishment for making an early exit from the World Cup three years before. The International Rugby Board had held a media conference about nothing very much and it was time to retire to a modest establishment on the outskirts of the city to serve up the match preview.Behind...
There was a depressing inevitability about the events that led to the cancellation of England’s match against Barbarians. The only surprise is that it came so soon“Rugby, it’s different”. So read the caption accompanying a picture posted on social media of two opposing players sharing a beer after last week’s Champions Cup final. It was misguided at best and widely criticised for the smug attitude that continues to blight the professional game. Fast forward a week, to the colossal wreckage caused by the cancellation of England’s match against the Barbarians, and it can be said with certainty that rugby is different all right.In what other sport would professional players – a former national captain no less in Chris Robshaw –...
Gloucester’s Ollie Thorley and Harlequins’ Alex Dombrandt made their mark but scrums remain a mess – ask Jamie George Related: Pools of intrigue: how the Rugby World Cup groups stack up | Paul Rees Continue reading...
George Bridge missed a holiday with friends to play for the Barbarians against New Zealand at Twickenham. For players, the BaaBaas represent rugby union as a game, not a jobGeorge Bridge, full-back for Canterbury, the Crusaders, and now the Barbarians was listed as being 22 years old in the match programme. But in the evening after Saturday’s match he seemed much younger than that. He was wearing conspicuously new clothes, slacks, jacket and a flat cap that he had bought earlier in the week, and they seemed to fit him too well, as if he had just been dressed by his mum for his school photograph. After the match he waited patiently off to one side while the press interviewed...
With 10 New Zealanders in the Barbarians XV, the All Blacks coach watched the opposition carefully but the Bristol man is out of reach for the World CupMost players tend to have three good reasons to turn out for the Barbarians: the honour, the fun and the money. But a lot of this latest Baa-Baas side had a fourth too. They wanted to prove a point to Steve Hansen and the All Blacks management. Related: All Blacks come from behind to see off exuberant Barbarians Related: The Barbarians prepare to face the All Blacks Continue reading...