NEW RUGBY WORLD CUP HISTORY TIES IN WITH START OF TOURNAMENT
The History of the Rugby World Cup tells the complete story of the greatest rugby show on earth.
The tournament was first held in 1987 when the co-hosts, the All Blacks beat France in the final. Four countries have since won the trophy: New Zealand three times, Australia and South Africa twice each; and England once.
Sixteen teams were invited to participate in the inaugural tournament while since 1999 twenty teams have taken part including in the latest contest which is held in Japan for the first time.
Peter Murray and Lorri Lynn’s fully-illustrated chronicle also includes profiles of the star performers over the years including Jonah Lomu, David Campese, Michael Lynagh, Thierry Lacroix, Gavin Hastings, Bryan Habana and Jonny Wilkinson, who holds the record for the most number of points in the competition.
The book concludes with a selection of the most memorable moments such as Western Samoa’s shock victory over Wales in 1991; Nelson Mandela’s handing over of the trophy to Springboks’ captain Francois Pienaar in 1995; and Jonny Wilkinson’s last minute winning drop goal in the 2003 final.
Priced at £19.95, the coffee-table book is released next month in time for the start of the tournament on September 20. G2 is also distributing The Rugby Paper’s Essential World Cup Guide 2019, RRP £4.95, which is available now.
England’s dramatic last ball victory over New Zealand in the final of this year’s tournament this month and given a massive boost to our History of the Cricket World Cup book. Written by Indian-born Peter Murray the full-colour illustrated coffee-table book gives a complete history of the tournament since 1975 and is now to be updated for the Autumn to include England’s first win. Exclusively discounted copies can be pre-ordered via the www.cricshop.com web-site.
Travelling football fans will welcome the latest edition of Football Grounds – A Fans Guide 2019/20 which gives details of all the Premier League and Football League grounds across the country including best pubs, directions and travel options. Compiled by Duncan Adams, who has visited all 92 clubs, and with a picture of the new Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on the cover, discounted copies can be ordered through this site.
Relive one of the most extraordinary seasons in the history of Liverpool Football Club with the Official Season Diary 2018/19. The Reds amassed a club record 97 points in an amazing Premier League title race, losing just once, but were still pipped to the title by a single point by Manchester City. Yet Jurgen Klopp’s side then crowned a thrilling campaign by beating Tottenham Hotspur in the UEFA Champions League final, adding a sixth European Cup to the Anfield trophy cabinet. Former sports journalist of the year Harry Harris and writer and editor Alan Beck have followed the team from pre-season in the States to the final in Madrid and bring you the official story, month-by-month. The book includes reports from every game, facts and figures, player and media reaction and exclusive interviews with Red legends including Ray Clemence, Alan Kennedy, Michael Owen, Steve McManaman and many more. After a rollercoaster ride from August to June, it’s a must-read for every Liverpool fan. Their inspirational centre-half Virgil van Dijk was voted Player of the Season by his fellow PFA professionals. Wing-backs Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson joined the above in the team of the season and were instrumental in the style of play that had the whole of Anfield on their feet.
