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The East Terrace's latest news article is now online on www.scrum.com.
We reveal the controversial new quota system being introduced for the selection of South Africa national sides. The shockwaves are going to change the game forever.
For a direct link to the story visit: http://www.scrum.com/lionstour/rugby/story/98504.html
Nowadays the player pen photos which appear in matchday programmes or official websites are usually the most bland and vapid of things.
All the players have their mug shot taken in exactly the same outfit (usually the current sponsor infested playing kit) with exactly the same background or scenery behind them.
We here on The East Terrace pine for the days when these pen photos had a bit of character about them and weren’t so polished by the team PR office. When we could see a bit of the man behind the rugby player instead of some cloned gym freak.
Take, for example, the exquisite portrait featured here of J.G.M.W. Murphy of the 1958 Irish team. Look in awe at his spiffing cravat. Feel wonder at that stylishly Bryl creamed hair. You would never see a player looking that elegant anymore.
It is clear that J.G.M.W Murphy was both a man and a player who liked to present himself well. Indeed it is no surprise to learn from his biography (taken here from the 1958 Ireland v Wales programme) that he is a man of military bearing.
Compare that with a well known player from the modern Irish squad.
Look at that stubble. What kind of a way is that for a threequarter to present himself when representing his national side? ‘Tis truly a disgrace.
Dear Diary,
Tumeke bro! I’m now officially a Lion, got the jersey and everything!
Well, I was a Lion when I was in the reserves for the Wellington Lions, but now I’m a British Lion. Check that out! I asked my Uncle Turoa and he reckoned he’s pretty sure I’m the first guy from my whanau, maybe even my whole iwi to be a British Lion. He’s gonna check anyway, just in case.
But bro, we are shit as, eh? Well, we were pretty shit till I came on, then we scored a try straight away and then I nearly scored one using the old Wainuiomata sidestep, but we got through in the end thanks to a try from one of the forwards called Alan Win Jones. I said to the boys after, we should just pick that Alan Win guy every week, cause then we’ll win, cause it’s in his name. Win? Geddit? Oh, I cracked up anyway. Some of these guys have no sense of humour, eh?
This week I’m sharing a room with a guy called Brian, who’s from a place called Dublin. I didn’t recognise him when I got to my room and he was already in there unpacking his stuff. I thought he was a forward for a start cause he’s a bit fat and looks like an egg, but then when I saw him taking off his T-shirt, and it was half over his head and half on his shoulder and for a second it looked like a sling, and THEN I recognised him!!! I said “Oh, bro you’re Brian O’Driscoll!!!” and he got all freaked out when he heard my accent.
