Confessions of a Rugby Mercenary

New
Paperback
2009
$8.65

John Daniell is a rubgy mercenary. A brutal word for an often brutal game. In 1996, when Rugby Union turned professional, John emigrated to France where he played for a decade in top competitions. His team ricocheted between fear and ecstasy, as they battled to save the club from relegation and their careers from the scrap heap. Now he lifts the lid on the dark world of the journeyman player, where losing a home game is considered a crime, coaches and club owners will do anything to win, and agents ruthlessly manipulate players. His compelling confessions are both shocking and funny, taking you behind the scenes, onto the field and into the very heart of the scrum.

Synopsis

John Daniell is a rubgy mercenary. A brutal word for an often brutal game. In 1996, when Rugby Union turned professional, John emigrated to France where he played for a decade in top competitions. His team ricocheted between fear and ecstasy, as they battled to save the club from relegation and their careers from the scrap heap. Now he lifts the lid on the dark world of the journeyman player, where losing a home game is considered a crime, coaches and club owners will do anything to win, and agents ruthlessly manipulate players. His compelling confessions are both shocking and funny, taking you behind the scenes, onto the field and into the very heart of the scrum.

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More Information

Format: Paperback
Pages: 272
Publisher: Ebury Press
Published: 02 Apr 2009
ISBN 10: 0091930685
ISBN 13: 9780091930684
Book Overview: We do this for money and for the love of the game - but mainly for the money.
Prizes: Winner of British Sports Book Awards: Best Rugby Book 2010. Shortlisted for William Hill Sports Book of the Year 2009.

Media Reviews

'The best rugby book of the year' * John Inverdale, Daily Telegraph *
'A gem ... high on honesty and humour' * Observer *
'Riveting' * Donald McRae, Guardian *
a darkly humourous account of a life of strife and flying fists with Montpelier * Independent on Sunday *
Rugby fans are going to absolutely love it * Sport Magazine *

Author Bio

John Daniell is originally from New Zealand. When Rugby Union turned professional in 1996 he was one of the first players to emigrate to Europe. He spent over a decade playing in the top competitions in France, for his Montpellier team. He is now a freelance sports journalist, having also studied at Oxford. He lives in Paris and visits the UK frequently.