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Power, Money and the Team that Reshaped Rugby How did one of the smallest nations in the world produce the jewel in world rugby's crown? In the professional age, the All Blacks have evolved to become rugby's most marketable asset and a blueprint for building high-performing teams. But as the All Blacks became commercialised, the tug-of-war between performance and making money has intensified. From the battle between Nike and Adidas for ownership of the black jersey to the newly minted deal with Silicon Valley private equity group Silver Lake, Black Gold reveals how the lure of monetising the brand has impacted the performance of the players and coaches. What sacrifices are being made to increase profit? And is the golden goose at risk of being overcooked? Black Gold is a gripping, revealing book about the inner workings of the All Blacks, the balance of power and what lies ahead for the world's best-known rugby team.

How the captains of the last 50 years have gone about leading the world's most successful rugby team. The job of All Blacks captain comes with a scrutiny that puts it alongside the prime minister in terms of profile and public expectation. It takes a strong, confident and assured personality to captain a team where failure is never tolerated. The Captain's Run is a behind the scenes journey into the world of All Blacks captaincy. It reveals how the great captains dealt with the pressure of the toughest job in world rugby, how they coped with failure, and what they would have done differently, if given their time again.

Anyone who wishes to study the reign of Henry VI will need to start from the basis which Professor Griffiths provides' A.J. Pollard, Parliamentary History Henry VI is the youngest monarch ever to have ascended the English throne and the only English king to have been acknowledges by the French as rightfully King of France. His reign was the thir...

To coincide with the commencement of the 2009 Bledisloe Cup Series and with the Rugby World Cup just around the corner, Exisle Publishing proudly releases Gregor Paul's controversial new book Black Obsession. This explosive book examines why it is that the world's greatest Rugby nation continues to fail in their quest for World Cup glory. Since ...

Robinson exposes both the gravity and levity of relationships and the subtle ways we attempt to escape their persistent pull.

The making of a New Zealand coaching great Between the years 2012 and 2019, Sir Steve Hansen oversaw an era of such remarkable success that it would be almost impossible to repeat. His 15-year career in the All Blacks coaching team is the heaviest footprint in rugby history. Of the 210 tests he was involved with, his team lost just 25 times. Of the 107 tests he served as head coach, Sir Steve accumulated a record 4 World Rugby Coach of the Year awards and orchestrated 93 victories - a winning percentage of 87 per cent, the highest of any All Blacks coach. Steve Hansen: The Legacy delves into the highs and the lows that earned the New Zealand rugby knight a place in the pantheon of world rugby coaching greats. Revealing and perceptive, the book uncovers how Hansen dealt with the immeasurable pressure of leading the world's most famous rugby team; the tension created by being re-appointed specifically to win the Rugby World Cup; how he dealt with high-profile athletes and an exodus of New Zealand's all-time greats; the endless tug-of-war between commercialism and high performance; the increasing influence of referees on the game; the power battle between the northern and southern hemispheres; the Achilles heel that contributed to the All Blacks' 2019 Rugby World Cup loss; and how, during his career, he learnt to understand his weaknesses and use them to his advantage. Much more than a biography, in Steve Hansen: The Legacy, award-winning writer Gregor Paul tells the compelling story of the former policeman from Mosgiel, his quest for world rugby dominance and his journey to coaching greatness.

What does the cross, both as a historical event and a symbol of religious discourse, tell us about human beings? In this provocative book, Brian Gregor draws together a hermeneutics of the self—through Heidegger, Gadamer, Ricoeur, and Taylor—and a theology of the cross—through Luther, Kierkegaard, Bonhoeffer, and Jüngel—to envision a phenomenology of the cruciform self. The result is a bold and original view of what philosophical anthropology could look like if it took the scandal of the cross seriously instead of reducing it into general philosophical concepts.

'Top 10 of Everything Rugby' is a journey through the history of international rugby, ranking the best and worst of the game in lists that cover everything from best captains, great rivalries and acts of heroism to wasted talents, scary psychos and darkest scandals. There have been iconic players, gentleman thugs, giant chokes, huge upsets, memorable comebacks and acts of violence that make even the toughest enforcers shiver. Gregor Paul offers his choices on all of these - but of course he doesn't expect you to agree!The book also includes Gregor's Top Ten picks on:* The best of the Rugby World Cup* The best of the eight top-ranked rugby-playing nations* The best players in every field positionThis is a book both the committed and casual rugby follower will find impossible to put down. With every possible relevant and irrelevant facet of the game covered, 'Top 10 of Everything Rugby' is the ultimate judge on the acts, people and performances that have defined the sport.

"How did one of the smallest nations in the world produce the jewel in world rugby's crown? In the professional age, the All Blacks have evolved to become rugby's most marketable asset and a blueprint for building high-performing teams. But as the All Blacks became commercialised, the tug-of-war between performance and making money has intensified. From the battle between Nike and Adidas for ownership of the black jersey to the newly minted deal with Silicon Valley private equity group Silver Lake, Black Gold reveals how the lure of monetising the brand has impacted the performance of the players and coaches. What sacrifices are being made to increase profit? And is the golden goose at risk of being overcooked? Black Gold is a gripping, revealing book about the inner workings of the All Blacks, the balance of power and what lies ahead for the world's best-known rugby team."--Back cover.

Get ready to awaken your senses with "The Secret of Coffee: A Coffee-Fueled Memoir"! This tantalizing book is a delicious journey through the author's life, told through the lens of their love affair with coffee. With each sip, you'll discover the rich history, culture, and artistry behind the world's most beloved beverage. From the first time they tasted it to their quest to find the perfect cup, the author shares their intimate and inspiring story. This book is a must-read for anyone who's ever been captivated by the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and the comfort it brings. So sit back, sip your favorite blend, and savor the secrets that lie within.