The Raging Bull retires
Discussion
Phil Vickery has called it quits. Another op on his neck and surgeons have said its time to hang up the boots for good this time. Given that hes accepted this lot of advice and the injuries he has come back from it must be assumed that his massive neck and back have finally called enough and further damage/impact would have a serious risk to his health.
A monumental prop. Destroyed the southern hemisphere boys on their own patch and part of that now legendary 6 man Pack performance down on a p1ss foul night in Wellington that stood the equal of the 8 man All Blacks.
Although retired as a Wasp, Im fairly surely the Shed still count him as one of their own and definately a full genetic link with the Gloucester Pack production line.
A monumental prop. Destroyed the southern hemisphere boys on their own patch and part of that now legendary 6 man Pack performance down on a p1ss foul night in Wellington that stood the equal of the 8 man All Blacks.
Although retired as a Wasp, Im fairly surely the Shed still count him as one of their own and definately a full genetic link with the Gloucester Pack production line.
The career obits up here Andy are all talking about the Lions 1st and 3rd Tests. The Beast giving Vickery a kicking in the first test, being allowed to scrummage illegally and Vickery looking humiliated, dropped for the 2nd test. Then come the 3rd test and the absolute schellacking Vickery gives back to the Beast and screaming "Where's the Beast now?!" to the skies as he is eventually subbed late in the 2nd half.
Its funny actually, but I think there is definately something about South Africa in English (British?) rugby mentality. For all our rivalry with the Aussies, the constant internicine battles between the Home Countries and the usual gold standard of the All Blacks, it is against the Saffers that our rugby invariably looks to compare against for a career. Often with the Lions but also with England, when a player retires, if they are regarded as a "Great" then they are frequently placed in the context of South African rugby somehow. I think we have an almost sub-conscious grudging respect for Bok rugby that we refuse to give to the Aussies or All Blacks, regardless of their ability.
Or we compare against the French and how hard a kicking we gave them
Its funny actually, but I think there is definately something about South Africa in English (British?) rugby mentality. For all our rivalry with the Aussies, the constant internicine battles between the Home Countries and the usual gold standard of the All Blacks, it is against the Saffers that our rugby invariably looks to compare against for a career. Often with the Lions but also with England, when a player retires, if they are regarded as a "Great" then they are frequently placed in the context of South African rugby somehow. I think we have an almost sub-conscious grudging respect for Bok rugby that we refuse to give to the Aussies or All Blacks, regardless of their ability.
Or we compare against the French and how hard a kicking we gave them
DJC, I agree with you I think it could be that both South Africa and England in particular pride themselves on their tight 5 more than any other positions in the game. For me I would put Vickery in the same class as the great Os du Rant.
I believe that with the Super 14 (15 now) and Tri Nations we play NZ & Aussie teams far too much and that this ia harming our traditional game. Makes the Grand Slam tour this November all the more exciting. Pity that we have so many injured players after a very tough Currie Cup. But with a tight 5 of Beast, Bismark, Jannie, Bakkies & Victor it could still turn out alright, as long as Bismark & Bakkies do not give away too many penalties........
Our back line is very inexperianced with all the injured players but will be very potent with Aplon, Mvovo and Basson all have some real pace. Basson broke the record for the most tries in the Currie Cup this year with 21 in only 14 games, his team finished in the bottom half of the log as well.
I believe that with the Super 14 (15 now) and Tri Nations we play NZ & Aussie teams far too much and that this ia harming our traditional game. Makes the Grand Slam tour this November all the more exciting. Pity that we have so many injured players after a very tough Currie Cup. But with a tight 5 of Beast, Bismark, Jannie, Bakkies & Victor it could still turn out alright, as long as Bismark & Bakkies do not give away too many penalties........
Our back line is very inexperianced with all the injured players but will be very potent with Aplon, Mvovo and Basson all have some real pace. Basson broke the record for the most tries in the Currie Cup this year with 21 in only 14 games, his team finished in the bottom half of the log as well.
Not sure I agree about the comparison between England and South Africa, I actually think the rivalry is stronger with the Aussies and All Blacks...maybe because of the history. I don't think any of them are easy places to tour but I certainly think that victories against the All Blacks on home soil would be regarded as the greatest achievement for any England and Lions team.....witness the esteem with which that 6 man England pack performance against the All Black's is held. England and South Africa definitely pride themselves and make their pack a cornerstone of their game but when you think about the role call of world class tight five forwards that the All Blacks have produced over the the generations I think they take great pride in it too...it's just that they are so bloody good in every department it's less of an emphasis I think.
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