1. Dan Crowley (Queensland and Australia)
A remarkable character who combined an elite rugby career with his role as an undercover policeman in Queensland specialising in dangerous drug operations. All this was only possible with the collusion of the Australian media who complied with requests from Queensland and Australia that they never use a photograph of him or interview the rawboned prop. His occupation, if listed at all, was normally put down as security or risk mitigation.
Nothing could stop his match day appearance on the TV but happily he was usually buried deep in a scrum or maul, wore an overlarge headband and – it would appear – very few drug barons and their heavies in Queensland were Rugby Union fans.
Crowley enjoyed a significant career and was a member of two World Cup-winning squads (1991 and 1999) and played in the 1989 Lions series and his extraordinary double life is chronicled in his autobiography. In Undercover Prop he details some of the drugs raids and shoot outs and indeed at one time he continued coordinating on an undercover assignment back in Australia while preparing for a Test in New Zealand.
“Bob Dwyer once asked me why I seemed so cool and calm before games and didn’t suffer from nerves,” explains Crowley. “I replied that for a day job I often barged through a door not knowing if there was somebody on the other side armed with a shotgun. Rugby was a relaxation by comparison.”
2. John Gallagher (Old Askeans, London Irish, Wellington, New Zealand)
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der June 21, 2020-Ausgabe von The Rugby Paper.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der June 21, 2020-Ausgabe von The Rugby Paper.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
England can find a little bit of cheer
SO HERE we are on the final day of England’s autumn international series with all of us hoping and expecting Steve Borthwick’s team to win today after three weeks of bitter disappointment.
Stop messing with Marcus - Campese
DAVID Campese believes England are going backwards under Steve Borthwick, who is ‘messing around’ with talisman Marcus Smith.
Being a Lion was the highlight of my career
I PLAYED 19 games and scored 219 points for the Lions, on the tours to South Africa in 1968 and New Zealand in 1971, but I never played in a Test and that was fair enough.
Cook's crew not fazed as they eye tilt at top half
THERE appear to be few signs of second season syndrome at Westcombe Park as captain Nick Cook reveals the group aren’t even contemplating the threat of relegation and are instead targeting a top-half finish.
Forwards pack a punch for the Reds
OLD Redcliffians produced a proud defensive effort to take a bonus-point win.
Tom 'Ailes' the achievements of inspirational skipper Riley
SEDGLEY Park No. 8 Tom Ailes says his team relish the competitive nature of National One and is confident the Tigers can rectify their rocky start to the season in weeks to come.
Strachan confident Ampthill will be firing again soon
FRASER Strachan is determined to put Ampthill’s leaky defensive showings behind them and gain some much needed confidence in the run up to Christmas.
It's a whole new ball game for Rigg
WILL Rigg’s ambition was to become a professional cricketer but it is the oval ball rather than The Oval that is his driver now.
Scarratt leads the way for Lightning
LOUGHBOROUGH won a wet and windy East Midlands Derby after having the bonus point in the bag by half-time.
Becconsall: We need to release pressure
WILL Becconsall says Exeter are not spooked by the threat of relegation as they look to turn around their Premiership campaign after starting with six straight defeats.
