I think his own biography might offer a few clues.



And unfortunately he's let himself down in other ways on too many occasions.

How much more might he have achieved, how much better might he have been, if he'd taken his diet a little more seriously?

He never cut it at international level, that is the true mark of a great imo.

It is still 'Made for Rugby' just a newer edition, published in October 2005. It includes the 2005 Challenge Cup Final when he was dropped.


For those knocking Long, it clearly states in his book he did have a week off the beer and then had one of his worst games ever. So maybe we should be asking how mediocre would he have been had he took a more sensible approach?

Best rugby books i've read are Tommy Sale, Stanley Gene and Barrie McDermott's. All books you could easily read again and again and not get tired of them

His personal behaviour aside, he was an outstanding creative player (still a very good addition to a team at 32 yrs old), and like I said he has won every award in this country and played representative rugby, this is not what could be considered a wasted talent..
He may not meet peoples ideals of how a player should act, however he certainly met the ideals of the supporters when he was on the pitch displaying his skills.

whoooosshhhh.......



ffs I was having a laugh. A common word to describe someone in a state of inebriation is 'wasted'. Now, seeing as Long talks incessantly about his days of boozing in his book (and bearing in mind the events surrounding his early return from the 2006 Tri-Nations and other incidents), it seems an apt word to apply to him.

But never mind. Carry on.

The Russian football team story cracks me up everytime!

I think we crossed paths Big Ask claimed he was a wasted talent, I now understand your interpretation of wasted

A book I look forward to reading is John Holmes- Reluctant Hero when it comes out www.amazon.co.uk/Reluctant-Hero- ... 0956252648

A book I look forward to reading is John Holmes- Reluctant Hero when it comes out www.amazon.co.uk/Reluctant-Hero- ... 0956252648

he actually says that 2002 was the drunkest year of his life, he barely remembers any of it due to amount of alcohol he consumed - yet it was arguably one of the best years of his career.

A really good read is Chris Joynts book "The Quiet Man"

Iread Scully's as well, which was ok.

Cec Thompson - Born On The Wrong Side is the finest RL related book I've read.

I wasn't that impressed with Peacock's book to be honest.

Best i've read so far would be Stanley Gene's, Day dream believer.

Mike Gregory's was a good read, really enjoyed that.

Radlinski's was ok, but not long enough i finished it on first day of holiday.

Barry Mac's is a very good read.

Paul Sculthorpe, Chris Joynt and Kevin Wards were all good books that i enjoyed (As well as Longys).