Down and Under: A Rugby League Walkabout in Australia

by hadfield-dave

Despite a disappointing performance by England, the thirteenth Rugby League World Cup wasn't all bad. Far from it. For one thing, the whole affair was staged in Australia, thereby allowing rugby league's best-selling author, journalist and broadcaster Dave Hadfield to gather material for this, his latest book. The result is Down & Under, Hadfield's eagerly-awaited follow-up to Up & Over, in which a walk through the rugby league towns of Northern England was chronicled. This time, Hadfield turns his attentions to the glamorous world of Australian footy and - unless your name is Ron Hill - the outcome is as witty, illuminating and downright enjoyable as you would expect. Whether he's travelling from Brisbane to Sydney, or from Melbourne to Townsville, Hadfield's legendary wit, wisdom and wanderlust is unleashed on the land of Ned Kelly and Wally Lewis.

216 pages, Paperback

First published October 30, 2009

Reviews

[Michael Macdonald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic rugby league book about Australia and a lot more beside me

Dave Hadfield explores Australia reporting on one of England's many underwhelming world cup bids and captures the essence of the greatest game. Funny, insightful and revealing, Hadfield uncovers what lies behind the quantum gap between England's ability to be less than a sum of its parts and Australia attitude that drives performance until the most remarkable victory for the Kiwis. Great book that tells you n lot about rugby league and life.

[Greg Spruce · Rating 4 out of 5]

The 'Bill Bryson' of rugby league travel writing. An engaging and witty account of 2008 RLWC.