Partner Since
2+ YearsPublisher | The History Press Ltd |
ISBN 13 | 9780750969994 |
Book Subtitle | The First Rugby World Cup And The First World War |
Book Description | Shortlisted for the 2016 cross sports book of the year award when britain's empire went to war in august 1914, rugby players were the first to volunteer: they led from the front and paid a disproportionate price. When the armistice came after four long years, their war game was over; even as the last echo of the guns of november faded, it was time to play rugby again. As allied troops of all nations waited to return home, sport occupied their minds and bodies. In 1919, a grateful mother country hosted a rugby tournament for the king's cup, to be presented by king george v at twickenham stadium. It was a moment of triumph, a celebration of military victory, of allied unity and of rugby values, moral and physical. Never before had teams from australia, canada, new zealand, south africa, britain and france been assembled in one place. Rugby held the first ever 'world cup' - football would not play its own version until 1930. In 2019 the modern rugby world cup moves to japan in the centenary of the king's cup. With a foreword by jason leonard, this is the story of rugby's journey through the first world war to its first world cup, and how those values endure today |
Editorial Review | I am proud and humbled to read here of rugby men of all nations, who loved the game and loved their country enough to lay down their lives. --Sea Fitzpatrick, former All Black captain |
About the Author | Stephen Cooper has played and coached rugby for more than 40 years. After Cambridge, he worked in advertising. His book The Final Whistle won Rugby Book of the Year 2013 and was shortlisted for The Times Sports Book of the Year. Jason Leonard is an English former rugby union prop forward |
Language | English |
Author | Stephen Cooper |
Publication Date | 01 Jul 2016 |
Number of Pages | 256 |
After The Final Whistle: The First Rugby World Cup And The First World War paperback english - 01 Jul 2016