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Hard Road continues the
story of Shane Webcke, one of the most respected and admired figures in rugby league,
and a man whose capabilities and acheivements go way beyond the playing
field.
Starting with his last appearance as
a player in the 2006 Grand Final, Webcke gives us a compelling insider's view of
how the Broncos stole the title that season. From the highs of that euphoric
victory, he describes with candour and insight the unexpected pain of struggling to
come to terms with life after football.
The man often described as 'the
toughest there is' came out the other end and, now part of the Broncos
coaching team, he continues to be a rugby league stalwart. Here, he turns his
attention to what he sees as 'a game that is standing still', hitting with
sledgehammer force on a variety of issues. Along the way Webcke:
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Reveals why the Broncos owe a
debt to big Willie Mason
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Pays his personal tribute to
Darren Lockyer 'the greatest footballer in the
game'
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Takes readers inside the drunken
escapades that crash-tackled the Broncos in 2008, while examining rugby
league's wider ongoing problem of booze and bad
behaviour
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Throws down the gauntlet to the
game's administration with powerful, pragmatic suggestions on future
directions.
Photograph: Getty/Cameron Spencer
Undoubtedly a future leader of the
game, Webcke's is a book for rugby league's new century. Uncompromising, fearless,
far-sighted and laced with commonsense, Hard Road carries the ball up
with as much force as Webcke did in his days as modern rugby league's finest
front-row forward.
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