Around the World in 80 Minutes: In Search of Rugby Greatness

(Paperback)

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A WATERSTONES BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR 2023 - SPORT 'A mesmerising, unforgettable journey around world rugby. ' Donald McRae Twice Winner of the William Hill Sports Book of the Year Magnificent hugely intelligent and entertaining. Stuart Barnes, Sunday Times Really enjoyed it. Will Carling An absolutely marvellous book Recommended heartily. Jonathan Drennan, Sydney Morning Herald CONTRASTING CHARACTERS, COLLIDING CULTURES, THE SAME OVAL-SHAPED BALL. A JOURNEY TO FIND THE RUGBYS MOST REMARKABLE PEOPLE, TEAMS AND PLACES. What makes rugby special Which individuals and teams have defined the modern game Around the World in 80 Minutes charts the golden era of global rugby union between 1973 and 2023 and goes in search of the sports most influential trailblazers. Robert Kitson, the Guardians long-time rugby union correspondent, assesses the games current health, tracks down the battered gladiators of yesteryear and asks some pertinent questions. Does rugby retain its old rugged charm What does its future look like And what, ultimately, constitutes rugby greatness Observant, amusing and thought-provoking, the journey takes in some of the game's more prominent names including David Campese, Brian ODriscoll, Maggie Alphonsi, Sean Fitzpatrick, Eddie Jones and Sir Clive Woodward to reflect on rugbys intangible shared joy. Millions of fans continue to find rugby maddeningly irresistible and endlessly compelling. This book is for them, and for anyone else wondering where the appeal lies.

Reviews

A mesmerising, unforgettable journey around world rugby. With a brilliant cast of great players, Rob Kitsons riveting new book spans contrasting eras and countries with the depth and range, wit and grit, substance and style of the great sport it captures and celebrates. -- Donald McRae Twice Winner of the William Hill Sports Book of the Year
Hugely enjoyable. Full of a generosity that cant help but rekindle those warm, fuzzy feelings of shared communion, but without avoiding the hard edges of injury, racism, sexism, the future. I cant see how anyone who loves rugby or who wants to love rugby could fail to enjoy this book. -- Richard Beard, award-winning author of The Day That Went Missing and Muddied Oafs
An adventure through the very heart and soul of rugby, guided beautifully by an author who has seen it all, from gleaming World Cup finals to the Forest of Dean. -- Michael Aylwin * The Observer *
A glorious, warm, perceptive, eclectic exploration of the essence of rugby and rugby folk. Finishing it, I came within a whisker of dragging those 30-year-old boots out of retirement. * Paul Ackford, former Harlequins and England forward *
Around the World in 80 Minutes takes us on a fascinating journey through the highways and byways of global rugby union, celebrating its past and exploring the issues confronting it today. Its essential reading for serious fans of the game. * Professor Tony Collins, author of The Oval World: A Global History of Rugby *
Really enjoyed it -- Will Carling
An absolutely marvellous book Recommended heartily. -- Jonathan Drennan * Sydney Morning Herald *
Magnificent a hugely intelligent and entertaining interweaving series of tales that gets into the how of rugby. * Stuart Barnes, Sunday Times and Times columnist, former Bath and England fly-half *
Enjoying this part memoir, part love letter to a sport in need of love. Bravo -- Peter OReilly * Sunday Times - Ireland *
Joyful... a thoroughly entertaining read for both the rugby mad and the newbie. * Rugby Journal *
Brilliant ... an insightful and thought-provoking look at the state of the game ... features fascinating interviews with numerous rugby luminaries. * Rugby World *
Essential reading for all rugby fans ... a deeply perceptive and hugely entertaining adventure in the world of rugby, reflecting both on the history and future of this spellbinding sport. * Waterstones *

Author Bio

Robert Kitson has been the Guardians rugby union correspondent since 1999. He has attended every Rugby World Cup since 1991 and has covered almost 400 Test matches worldwide. He has also worked at five Olympic Games and reported on numerous other sports, including cricket, football, golf and tennis. His first book, Exe Men, won the 2021 Telegraph Rugby Book of the Year award. He is married with three children and lives in Devon.@robkitson