Items related to Number Nine Dream: An Autobiography of Rob Howley
Rob Howley was a late developer in terms of playing international rugby. But the Cardiff, Wales and Brit-ish Lions scrum half has more than made up for lost time. In this title, Howley looks back at his career, including his injury heartache, his late development, the pain of seeing a friend temporarily paralysed and the various scrapes with officialdom he has been involved in throughout his career. He talks in detail about the teething problems of professionalism and how he, one of Welsh rugby's all-time great players, has on more than one occasion been issued with an ultimatum by the Welsh Rugby Union. From the moment he first represented West Wales Under-11s, Rob Howley was desperate to realise his boyhood ambition - to play senior rugby for his country. Injuries and subsequent operations set back his progress and when he finally returned to action, courtesy of a local valley faith healer, he found himself involved in one of the most controversial transfers in Welsh rugby history. Now a seasoned international and a British Lion, Howley tells a story of pride, passion and extreme personal pain.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
Review:
About the Author:
But then came the bombshell. You could have heard a pin drop in the dressing room when he told us that while he respected us as individuals, he did not yet respect us as a team. His address was short and to the point and then he left. It was a masterstroke.Wales' victory over the French at Stade de France in the last ever Five Nation's Championship was the key to a renaissance at international level that saw them win 10 on the bounce in 1999--including victories over South Africa and England--all under the captaincy of scrum half Rob Howley. Number Nine Dream is his story of leading the most passionate rugby nation out of the wilderness, and how it felt when that promise and optimism was smothered in the 1999 World Cup.
Howley analyses the games and the players, looking beyond the guts and glory of the field of play to the realities of life as a top sportsman. He reflects on his part in the controversial exile of Cardiff from the W.R.U. and the Union game's arthritic progress towards professionalism. He shares his views on working under Wales' coach Graham Henry and the personal and professional impact that the New Zealander has had on the culture and fortunes of the national team.
The Welsh captain displays little of the fondness for PR gloss that tends to swamp a decent tale--this is passionate and controversial stuff at times, continuing Mainstream Publishing's fine tradition of producing intelligent, readable sports literature. --Alex Hankin
Graham Clutton is a sports writer who covers Welsh rugby for the Daily Telegraph. He also contributes on a freelance basis to other national titles and various overseas radio and television companies.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
- PublisherMainstream Publishing
- Publication date2001
- ISBN 10 1840185481
- ISBN 13 9781840185485
- BindingPaperback
- Edition number2
- Number of pages208
(No Available Copies)
Search Books: Create a WantIf you know the book but cannot find it on AbeBooks, we can automatically search for it on your behalf as new inventory is added. If it is added to AbeBooks by one of our member booksellers, we will notify you!
Create a Want