Godot 149 Posted February 3, 2007 Excellent interview with Andy Ripley in the Telegraph today. It says he has prostate cancer. He doesn't look anywhere near death's door to me although he has had a pulmonary embolism brought on, possibly, by his fanatical exercise regime on the rowing machines. I know there are threads for football, cricket and baseball but there's nothing that I know of on here to discuss a real game, rugby union, where some big names, people like Fred Allen (former NZ rugby coach, born 1920) are getting on a bit. Others a bit younger, like Willie John McBride, have been ravaged by the after-dinner circuit so are not likely to last too long. Then there are cannibal rugby players well worth tracking. Can't survive for ever. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DevonDeathTrip 2,325 Posted February 3, 2007 He's rugby league rather than union, but Jack Gibson, the Australian coach would be a good bet. He introduced lots of new coaching and training methods into the sport. According to Wiki "Gibson is now confined to a Sydney nursing home and requires around-the-clock care as he battles Alzheimer's disease and dementia" Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gunjaman5000 30 Posted February 4, 2007 Excellent interview with Andy Ripley in the Telegraph today. It says he has prostate cancer. He doesn't look anywhere near death's door to me although he has had a pulmonary embolism brought on, possibly, by his fanatical exercise regime on the rowing machines. I know there are threads for football, cricket and baseball but there's nothing that I know of on here to discuss a real game, rugby union, where some big names, people like Fred Allen (former NZ rugby coach, born 1920) are getting on a bit. Others a bit younger, like Willie John McBride, have been ravaged by the after-dinner circuit so are not likely to last too long. Then there are cannibal rugby players well worth tracking. Can't survive for ever. Excellent idea Godot. If you don't mind me putting my anaorak on for a bit, Fred Allen's big achievement in my book is captaining the team of soldiers, the 2nd NZEF 'Kiwis' on a tour of Great Britain after WWII, he then went on to become All Black captain and didn't become coach until the sixties. The international players of the fifties are now well into their seventies and should start heading for the changing sheds in the sky before long and Jonah Lomu could quite easily be worth a closer look if his new kidney gives up the ghost. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Godot 149 Posted February 4, 2007 I wouldn't give much for Jonny Wilkinson's chances either after yesterday's performance. He's going to be the target of every front row thug on the pitch for the rest of the six nations. Take out Wilkinson and you can rub at least 10 points off the England score in every match. Fantastic performance yesterday also by Ellis and Robinson. For those who follow England it was one of the great matches that you remember and can say "I was there". Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Godot 149 Posted February 4, 2007 Then again Wilkinson seems to have mastered the art of levitation (although this picture would suggest otherwise) so we might be unwise to view him as an ordinary mortal. Talking of immortals. If doesn't make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up I don't know what does. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Godot 149 Posted February 6, 2007 Pete Docherty blah blah, Jade Goody blah blah, football blah blah, any f*****g puerile shite blah blah. Dead horse for sale. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cowboy Ronnie 77 Posted February 6, 2007 Then again Wilkinson seems to have mastered the art of levitation (although this picture would suggest otherwise) so we might be unwise to view him as an ordinary mortal. Talking of immortals. If doesn't make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up I don't know what does. Nice try, but was that a forward pass at around the 1 min mark? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Anubis the Jackal 76 Posted February 6, 2007 Not to mention 2 or 3 high tackles by the All Blacks. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Godot 149 Posted February 6, 2007 Yes those were the days before fourth officials and video when referees didn't mind the odd high slap. It was still a great try. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gunjaman5000 30 Posted February 6, 2007 Yes those were the days before fourth officials and video when referees didn't mind the odd high slap. It was still a great try. You're dead right Godot, it was only a high tackle if someone was stretchered off back then. Great try, it reminds me of how France used to play before they started trying to play like everyone else. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
maryportfuncity 10,437 Posted February 10, 2007 We mentioned the ancient, and not always well, Cliff Morgan on another thread about commentators possibly near death. Anyone know how spritely a shimmy he's currently cutting on the golf course? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BrunoBrimley 85 Posted February 10, 2007 There used to be a Ripley in my apartment.....believe it or not. She died in 1978 and I got the apartment. Just thought I'd mention it, since this is a Ripley thread. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DevonDeathTrip 2,325 Posted March 16, 2007 Former Scottish Rugby Union president Adam Robson has died at the age of 78. Robson, who also won 22 caps as a wing forward between 1954 and 1960, played club rugby for Dalkeith and Hawick and also appeared for the Barbarians. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Octopus of Odstock 2,081 Posted April 24, 2007 Roger Milward is a tough old guy. 4 broken jaws, a rare heart condition & now it appears he has beaten off cancer. More here. One to still think about though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Anubis the Jackal 76 Posted April 26, 2007 Ex-Welsh rugby international Ray Gravell is on his last leg(s) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Octopus of Odstock 2,081 Posted May 27, 2007 Scotland's oldest rugby international reaches 100 years of age Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gunjaman5000 30 Posted May 28, 2007 Bloody hell!!! First New Zealand lose one game in the last twenty and now this. Things not looking good for Zinzan Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Geronimo 3 Posted May 28, 2007 Bloody hell!!! First New Zealand lose one game in the last twenty and now this. Things not looking good for Zinzan I see he fell over getting out of a taxi. Hard bastards, these taxis. A tired and emotional situation perhaps? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DevonDeathTrip 2,325 Posted May 31, 2007 Former England, Leicester and Bristol prop forward David Hazell has died at the age of 76. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DevonDeathTrip 2,325 Posted June 23, 2007 Wayne "Buck" Shelford, who captained the New Zealand All Blacks in the 1980s, been diagnosed with lymphoma. By all accounts, he is quite a tough cookie: During only his second test with the All Blacks he had his scrotum torn open -leaving one testicle hanging free and four teeth knocked out in a ruck - but played on. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lard Bazaar 3,768 Posted June 24, 2007 Wayne "Buck" Shelford, who captained the New Zealand All Blacks in the 1980s, been diagnosed with lymphoma. By all accounts, he is quite a tough cookie: During only his second test with the All Blacks he had his scrotum torn open -leaving one testicle hanging free and four teeth knocked out in a ruck - but played on. Blimey, that's made me wince, and I'm a girl. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DevonDeathTrip 2,325 Posted June 27, 2007 Joey Sadler, one of only two remaining members of the 1935 All Blacks team, has died at the age of 92. Deadpoolers might like to keep an eye on Eric Tindall, a double All Black aged 96, who is New Zealand's oldest living rugby and cricket international. Shockingly, he does not have a Wiki page, perhaps someone who knows how would like to provide him with one. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Octopus of Odstock 2,081 Posted June 27, 2007 Joey Sadler, one of only two remaining members of the 1935 All Blacks team, has died at the age of 92. Deadpoolers might like to keep an eye on Eric Tindall, a double All Black aged 96, who is New Zealand's oldest living rugby and cricket international. Shockingly, he does not have a Wiki page, perhaps someone who knows how would like to provide him with one. He has had a Wiki page for some years, DDT, partly because his name is Eric TINDILL. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
harrymcnallysblueandwhitearmy 1,657 Posted July 23, 2007 Former London Irish outside-half Jarrod Cunningham has succumbed to motor neurone aged just 38. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Guest Posted July 23, 2007 Joey Sadler, one of only two remaining members of the 1935 All Blacks team, has died at the age of 92. Deadpoolers might like to keep an eye on Eric Tindall, a double All Black aged 96, who is New Zealand's oldest living rugby and cricket international. Shockingly, he does not have a Wiki page, perhaps someone who knows how would like to provide him with one. He has had a Wiki page for some years, DDT, partly because his name is Eric TINDILL. and what was the other reason he had a Wiki page for? Apart from having the name Eric Tindill? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites