Try as we might in this nonconformist corner of the paper, it’s difficult to mount an argument against either assertion. No one in the union code has a deeper-seated superiority complex than the reigning world champions; Tests between South Africa and New Zealand are the high peaks of the sport.
There are very good reasons to rejoice in the idea of the Boks and the All Blacks resuming “proper” tours and series, staged over a period of weeks rather than mere days and adding fresh chapters to a narrative stretching back to 1921, when the celebrated No.8 “Boy” Morkel and significant numbers of his extended family crossed the high seas for a 19-match trek around the Land of the Long White Cloud, from Auckland in the north to Invercargill in the south.
Younger readers may be interested to know that for the most part, meetings between the two countries in the amateur era were, as night followed day, bigger, better, more captivating and more intense than anything else on offer in the 15-man game, including those involving the Lions. The great moments loom large in the elderly mind’s eye, even for those of us who weren’t around to witness them at first hand – weren’t even alive when they occurred, in some instances. How? Because the great rugby chroniclers wrote about them so vividly, they might have happened in our back yards.
Esta historia es de la edición September 08, 2024 de The Rugby Paper.
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Esta historia es de la edición September 08, 2024 de The Rugby Paper.
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Sleightholme shows he has pace to burn
OLLIE Sleightholme recently clocked his fastest sprint time and is racing to cement his spot as an England starter.
McGoverne says playing for Chiefs is her priority
EXETER fly-half Olivia McGoverne has opted for club over country which will rule her out of contention for New Zealand’s World Cup bid in 2025.
Trinity aim to get the culture right
HIGH-FLYING Trinity have made a remarkable turnaround this season after narrowly avoiding relegation last term, heading into this weekend unbeaten and are now eyeing up promotion from Level 7.
YOUNG GUNS
Louie Gulley experienced the environment of England U20s’ World Championship triumph up close this summerand now has a burning desire to become an age-grade star. The 19-year-old Exeter Chiefs hooker was part of Mark Mapletoft’s squad but didn’t manage to make an appearance during the tournament.
The Cherry & Whites lay down marker over Lucs
CAMBORNE maintained their lead at the top of the table with a bonus-point win against their nearest challengers in a pulsating game.
A brace from Botterill is key to victory for Esher
A highly entertaining and enthralling contest between two sides fighting at the foot of the table was eventually won by Esher after the lead had changed no less than seven times throughout an absorbing afternoon.
Chiefs in hunt for new investment
TONY Rowe has confirmed the search for new investors into Exeter Chiefs has begun as he looks to safeguard the longterm future of the Premiership club.
McParland keen to shine for England A
NORTHAMPTON scrum-half Archie McParland feels he has returned a better player following a nasty injury that denied him a World Cup winners medal and is now ready to fly into a new opportunity with England A.
Undercard get chance to show their A-game
ENGLAND’S A team today get their first major work-out after being resurrected earlier this year when Australia’s undercard provide the opposition at The Stoop.
England look like a clueless rabble
I WATCHED with a growing sense of bewilderment as England yet again took to the field against Australia looking to all intents and purpose as if they had just been introduced to each other on the coach into Twickenham.