- Paperback: 320 pages
- Publisher: Willow; New Ed edition (23 Aug 1999)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0002189119
- ISBN-13: 978-0002189118
- Product Dimensions: 19.2 x 12.8 x 2.2 cm
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 359,470 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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More About the Author
Product Description
Product Description
This is an in-depth profile of the world’s greatest rugby union team. From dressing-room banter to the views of former players, this book shows what it means to be an All Black and what really happens behind the scenes in the All Black camp.
For three years the author, Robin McConnell, lived with the All Blacks, followed them around New Zealand, travelled with them overseas, attended their training sessions, and celebrated and commiserated with them in their dressing rooms – while all the time observing them both as public stars and private individuals. The result is this fascinating fly-on-the wall account of what it’s like to be an All Black.
To gain an understanding of their make-up and a feeling for how and why the All Blacks have become the world’s greatest rugby team, McConnell went back to the early days, interviewing the oldest surviving former players from the 1920s, as well as stars of the post-war era and the current professional team.
These insightful observations are supplemented by the views of coaches, captains and opponents; a chapter on the All Blacks’ legendary rivalry with the Springboks; and the nail-biting build-ups to Test matches involving the Five Nations teams and the British Lions.
In a new chapter for this paperback edition, the author brings the story right up to date, describing the current team and assessing their prospects for victory in the 1999 Rugby World Cup.
From the Author
The book gives an inside picture of a great sports team
One aim of the book was to outline historical insights into the All Blacks, drawing on new interviews and material. The other was to give an understanding of life inside the test teams as they prepared for test matches. I was a doctoral researcher for four years with the All Blacks with full access to every team and player situation. I interviewed or surveyed some 400 All Blacks and overseas test players. The chapters on characteristics of a great team and on coaches have been used in developing quality workplace teams and coaches. There are many players, from the 1920s to date whose interviews give new slants on rugby history.
One aim of the book was to outline historical insights into the All Blacks, drawing on new interviews and material. The other was to give an understanding of life inside the test teams as they prepared for test matches. I was a doctoral researcher for four years with the All Blacks with full access to every team and player situation. I interviewed or surveyed some 400 All Blacks and overseas test players. The chapters on characteristics of a great team and on coaches have been used in developing quality workplace teams and coaches. There are many players, from the 1920s to date whose interviews give new slants on rugby history.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
An excellent read.McConnell really does get inside this great team,at a time when they really were riding the crest of rugby superiority,both on and off the field.One feels the men in black could do with the inspired leadership of Sean Fitzpatrick in the current hot and cold displays.Non partisan,informative,and well worth the money.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
So easy to read as the book is so easily written. Lots of insights that can only come from being 'inside' and obviously trusted while there. Do I dare assume this is the same author that compiled the biographies of 'Laurie Mains' and 'Iceman, The Micheal Jones Story'?
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
1 review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
A useful book.
3 Nov 2003
Format:Hardcover
Mr. Mc Connell has had the privilege of sharing with the mighty All Blacks some time in the sacred grounds of the locker room. The tale of those experiences certainly make the book worth its price.
Inside the All Blacks will give you knowledge of some internal aspects of the most fabulous rugby team which are not technical. If you are looking for rugby tactics, this books is not for you. It is based on the human side (although some technical knowledge can be extracted)
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