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Book of the Week
Independent on Sunday, The, Sep 2, 2007
Thirty Bullies by Alison Kervin
Publishing a history of the Rugby World Cup four days before the start of the next tournament seems a curious decision - it leaves precious little time to read up on the past before the action starts, and renders this book out of date in a matter of weeks. That cavil apart, this is a deeply satisfying account of an event that in 20 years has grown from a low-key start, only grudgingly agreed to initially by the International Rugby Board in order to stave off the threat of a professional breakaway, into a truly global spectacle. Alison Kervin is an insider, having worked both for the RFU and as a rugby journalist, and one of the book's many strengths is the number of players and coaches she can call on to give their own view from the inside. Her analysis of the reasons behind each victor's success is authoritative, and throughout she manages to leaven the mix with a margin of humour. She may have left out something of significance, but for the life of me I can't think what it could be.
Published by Simon & Schuster in hardback, 17.99
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