The 191-strong scrum at Burnham-on-Sea, a record attempt made in aid of Breakthrough Breast Cancer
Everbody’s at it – and we’re not talking Ryan Giggs, writes Rugby World deputy editor Alan Pearey. Last December BBC Sport and Red Bee Media arranged for 68 people to ‘pack down’ at Richmond for a stunt that produced a Guinness World Record for the world’s biggest scrum.
In April, Gullivers Sports Travel and Burnham-on-Sea RFC got 191 adults scrumming down and while the footage was being assessed by the Guinness arbiters, along came the party-pooping HSBC Waratahs, players and staff setting a new mark of 197 in Sydney on 8 June. Who’s next?
The records in Carlton’s World Rugby Records 2012 are more mundane but harder to achieve. Editor Chris Hawkes has divided the book into eight parts, separating countries from tournaments and throwing in sevens and women’s rugby too. It’s a bit overwritten but, at 224 colour pages, can’t fail to appeal to younger fans; the publishers describe it as a book someone might buy their grandson.
You need to forage to find the more interesting stats, such as: Costa Rica have gone the most number of games (11) without a first International win, Italy have had the most Test red cards (ten) out of the 106 issued, and Portugal’s Goncalo Malheiro has twice done a Jannie de Beer – five drop-goals in a match.
And for all those ‘one-cap wonders’ out there, you aren’t alone: 22% of the 14,737 players to have played international rugby never got a second chance.
Rugby World readers can buy this book for just £15, including free P&P in the UK. Ring 0844 576 8122 and quote the promotional code AD125. Offer ends 5 August.
We also have six copies to give away. For a chance to win one, tell us:
Which Australian is the world’s most-capped player?
Email your answer by Friday 12 August to rugbyworldcompetitions@ipcmedia.com. Please give a phone number.
RW RATING 4/5
BUY IT AT: amazon.co.uk RRP: £19.99 PUBLISHED BY: Carlton Books
Got a rugby book or DVD you’d like us to review in the Armchair Zone? Email alan_pearey@ipcmedia.com
This article appeared in the August 2011 issue of Rugby World Magazine.
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