Hooligans & Gentlemen on a Journey to the Rugby World Cup – A Tongue-In-Cheek Talk on the Little Known History of Rugby by Bob Skinstad
“Rugby is a hooligan’s game played by gentlemen”
Winston Churchill
Was William Web Ellis really the first to run with the oval-shaped ball? What was touted as the first ever Rugby World Championship? Where does the tradition of awarding rugby caps come from and why did it take so long for the game to become professional?
What was it like to be a Lion on tour to New Zealand in 1971 or South Africa in 1974? And what does it mean to win a Rugby World Cup?
Sparked by his enthusiasm and curiosity to better understand the history of the game that he so dearly loves, ex-Springbok Captain Bob Skinstad has spent the better part of the year researching the story of rugby – not too easy for a battle hardened loose forward to do, mind you!
What he found in the half gaps was an untold rugby heritage; of hooligans and heroes, of epic rugby battles fought and friendships forged, as the game grew across the globe. Follow Bob on Twitter
Bob wants to share his journey with you. A journey that starts on the school fields of rugby and now leads to the hallowed grounds of Twickenham, home to the 2015 Rugby World Cup Final.
This is not just a talk for rugby lovers. This is a talk for anyone who is interested in the endeavours of the human spirit as we find ways to tackle our shared humanity through our desire to compete on level playing fields. And win.
This is not your average speech with some off-the-cuff predictions about who to watch out for at RWC15. That would be boring. This is a thrilling, well-crafted narrative that will audiences (corporates and sports enthusiasts) on the edge of their seats as they travel with Bob the hooligan and Bob the gentleman on a real rugby journey.
