Beaudy - Skills, Drills and the Path to the Top by Rikki Swannell

$40.00 NZD

Category: Sport

From his upbringing with seven siblings in rural New Zealand, experiences in Ireland as a child, to his rise through the rugby ranks with Taranaki and the Hurricanes, Beauden Barrett will give an insight into what has made him the player he's become, the setbacks he had along the way and the choices he had to make. One big decision as an 18-year old changed the course of his career and, instead of being lost to New Zealand rugby entirely, set Beauden on the path towards becoming an All Black. Now widely seen as one of the best players in the game, he could have been an AFL star in Australia if it weren't for one phone call. He may have gone from high school to the All Blacks in the space of three years, but the path was far from smooth. Packed with tips and skills, along with drills for different ages and abilities to help young players progress their game, Beauden will also offer advice on how to become a better player off the field, how he learned to adapt to life as a professional sportsman at such a young age and who helped him along the way. Beaudy -Skills, Drills and the Path to the Top is an aspirational read for fans young and old. ...Show more

The Cartier Polo Games by Aline Coquelle

$35.00 NZD

Category: Sport

A veritable symbol of the art of living, polo has generated its own clans, codes, and destinations. Polo was first played in Persia, and then spread across the steppes of Central Asia to India. The British colonialists were quickly seduced by this "sport of kings and king of sports." They exported the g ame to the Western world, all the way to the Argentine Pampas. Today, polo teams travel a worldwide circuit, from Windsor to St. Moritz, Dubai or Buenos Aires, to compete in contests that recall jousting matches of warriors. Cartier, jeweler to kings, princes, and maharajahs, is of course an enthusiast of this sport and sponsors some of the most spectacular tournaments in the world, combining elements of passion, audacity, and the chic and cosmopolitan art of living. ...Show more

The Big O - The Life and Times of Olsen Filipaina by Patrick Skene

$40.00 NZD

Category: Sport

The Big O by Patrick Skene is the story of Olsen Filipaina, a New Zealand Hall of Fame rugby league legend who was a pathfinder for the Maori and Pasifika players who today dominate the Australian National Rugby League. In a career that saw him play 29 Tests for New Zealand and more than 100 first grade NSWRL games, Filipaina was an object of fascination for the rugby league community.To fans he was "the Galloping Garbo", a working-class hero who thrilled crowds in between shifts as a garbageman. To opponents, who feared his Polynesian power game, he was The Big O. To coaches and critics, he was simply "Olsen the enigma".Featured in the book are some of the pivotal figures of 1980s Australia and New Zealand sport including Sir Graham Lowe, Arthur Beetson, Roy Masters, Sir Peter Leitch, David Tua, Sir Bryan Williams, Wayne Pearce, Sir Michael Jones, John Ribot, Mark Graham, David Lange and NRL Immortal Wally Lewis who for the first time opens up about being outplayed by Filipaina in the 1985 Test series.The Big O tracks Olsen's story from his rise out of working-class South Auckland, to overcoming depression, racism and cultural dislocation in Sydney, to the Cinderella story of his success for the New Zealand Kiwis.Forty years after Filipaina burst into Australian rugby league, Skene relates the tale of a humble and principled man, a dynamic and magical pioneer of the 'Pacific Revolution'.The Big O' is a timely story of resilience, redemption, bravery and love. To understand Olsen's story is to understand the cultural changes that have reshaped the game of rugby league. ...Show more

Black Jersey - Silver Fern Tom Ellison: First Maori to Captain the All Blacks by Denis Dwyer

$30.00 NZD

Category: Sport

Tom Ellison is the man behind the black jersey and silver fern of the All Blacks. He was the "Mr Rugby" of his era, a tremendous player who captained the All Blacks in 1893 (the first Maori to do so), captained, coached and selected teams, developed the role of the wing-forward which was to give New Zea land an enduring advantage and wrote one of the fifi rst instructional books on rugby. His views were respected nationally and he was widely quoted. His story is rich in individuals and incident. His great-grandfather was chief Taiaroa of Ngai Tahu, his grandfather Edward Weller the whaler of Otakou and his father Raniera the discoverer of gold at Maori Point on the Shotover River. Tom Ellison went from Te Aute College to Wellington to become one of the fifi rst Maori lawyers. He had a myriad of interests and brought energy and fresh vision to them all. This is the story of his life. ...Show more

Classic New Zealand Cycle Trails 4th edition by Kennett Brothers

$30.00 NZD

Category: Sport

Covers a nationwide network of the best biking holidays this stunning little country has to offer. Includes 23 Great Rides, 24 Heartland Rides and 30 connector rides.

Classic New Zealand Road Rides: 100 Recreational Road Rides in New Zealand by Jonathan Kennett

$30.00 NZD

Category: Sport

The first edition of Classic New Zealand Road Rides is an invaluable guide to the sport and recreation of road riding. It includes information how to get started, such as buying a bike, setting it up, and going on your first ride. For more ambitious riders, there are sections on training and racing, inc luding nutrition and safety. New Zealand has seen a strong growth in road cycling since 2004 when Sarah Ulmer won Olympic Gold. Clubs and road races are booming and cycling is now referred to as 'the new golf'. The Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge has over 11,000 riders and is the largest road ride event in the Southern Hemisphere. ...Show more

Kieran Read: Straight 8 The Autobiography by SCOTTY STEVENSON

$50.00 NZD

Category: Sport

Kieran Read first played for the All Blacks as a 23-year old in 2008 and since then has amassed more than a century of test appearances in the famous jersey. Now, after a stellar provincial, club, and international career including back to back World Cup victories the New Zealand captain writes openly a nd honestly about his time in the game. Read takes to these pages with his trademark determination, lifting the lid on the unique pressures of succeeding as captain the most celebrated All Black of all time. He outlines the decisions that shaped his career and uncovers the skills of the coaches who shaped him, while offering readers an inside account of how the worlds greatest team functions and thrives. A rugby player cannot reach the pinnacle of the sport without negotiating the many avenues of adversity on the roadmap to triumph. Read unpacks the emotional toll of injury and the ignominy of defeat, neatly illustrating the intense experience of representing a rugby-obsessed nation while delivering a masterclass in how manage the many demands on the mind and on the body. Forthright and frank, Reads well-respected views on the game and its future are a must-read for rugby fans, and his take on the myriad personalities and the peccadilloes of his teammates, coaches and opponents will be sure to surprise and delight. From the playing fields of Papakura to the world champion podium, Read has faced every challenge head on. His life story is no exception. ...Show more

The Captain's Run: What It Takes to Lead the All Blacks by Gregor Paul

$40.00 NZD

Category: Sport | Reading Level: near fine

How the captains of the last 50 years have gone about leading the world's most successful rugby team. The job of All Blacks captain comes with a scrutiny that puts it alongside the prime minister in terms of profile and public expectation. It takes a strong, confident and assured personality to capta in a team where failure is never tolerated. The Captain's Run is a behind the scenes journey into the world of All Blacks captaincy. It reveals how the great captains dealt with the pressure of the toughest job in world rugby, how they coped with failure, and what they would have done differently, if given their time again. ...Show more

Introduction to Becoming and Remaining Rugbyfit by James Haskell

$20.00 NZD

Category: Sport

As a professional rugby player and renowned athlete, James is widely known for his elite athleticism and commanding physique. As such, it would be fair to say James Haskell knows a thing or two about getting and keeping fit, as well as preparing to play rugby. -------- Since the beginning and the public ation of his very first blog, James's mission has been to provide clear, concise information to help both aspiring male and female rugby players, as well as general fitness enthusiasts, to achieve their health and fitness goals. There is an awful lot of information in this book, which equally applies to a number of other sports, aside from rugby, as well as general training advice. -------- At the very heart of James Haskell Health & Fitness exists a burning passion for rugby. Like no other sport, rugby tests all elements of true fitness: speed, strength, power, agility, balance, endurance and co-ordination. These sit alongside all of rugby's other core ethics and values; such as teamwork, unity, working for each other, respecting the referee, the opposition and leaving everything on the field of play. -------- James has been inundated with requests from people all over the rugby world to provide specific rugby focused training, fitness and nutritional advice - well, now he has answered the clarion call. ...Show more

The Little Book of Fly Fishing Tips by Michael Devenish

$9.00 NZD

Category: Sport

The Little Book of Fly Fishing Tips is full of indispensable advice on the subject, from the basics of choosing rods and line to tips on knots, casting, fishing and landing fish. From kit to techniques and expert know-how on the seasons, the weather and different waters, this is the perfect little prime r for all fly fishing enthusiasts. The Little Books of Tips series is a collection of books, each 50 tips in size, delivering wisdom and advice on a whole range of popular subjects covering food, gardening, craft, sports and hobbies. ...Show more

Classic New Zealand Mountain Bike Rides, 9th ed. - South Island by Kennett Brothers

$30.00 NZD

Category: Sport

The ninth edition of New Zealand's best-selling mountain biking guide has been fully revised to include all the essential information needed to guide you to the most exhilarating rides around the country. For over 25 years, the Kennett Brothers have carved a name for themselves in the sport of mountain biking. They continue to promote their passion by designing and building tracks, organising events and writing and publishing books. If it's worth biking, it's in this book. Now it's your turn to discover New Zealand's best trails! ...Show more

Beginners Guide to Road and Track Cycling by Jonathan Kennett

$20.00 NZD

Category: Sport