KeithQuinnRugby
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To 1989-90 Wallaby Peter FitzSimons
This Ten Questions idea is to ask a leading rugby personality; either a player, from the the media or an administrator some questions which may prompt a response from them which we have not heard of before;
Peter, or 'Fitz' as he is widely known generously replied to me while on holiday in France. So typical of a very nice man. His Saturday and Sunday 'FitzFiles' columns in the Sydney Morning Herald are a must to read! His many books are too!
PETER FITZSIMONS: The former Wallaby rugby international forward is now much better known as a prolific writer of biographies and historical works. He lives on Sydney's north shore and readily agreed to respond to KeithQuinnRugby.com's questions.
Who were your heroes in sport when you were growing up?
Dennis Lillee and John Newcombe. I dreamed of opening the bowling for Australia, and winning Wimbledon. True, I achieved neither, but I did once get a very useful 2 wickets for 8 for the Knox Grammar School's Under14 C team, and I also once took a set off Julian Lovell in Fifth Form. And he went on to be AT LEAST one of the top ten tennis players of the Sixth Form at Knox Grammar.
Not counting where you live now; is there a favourite other place on earth you would like to live in?
As I write this my wife and I are heading to Donzenac, a little village north of Brive, France where I played rugby for four years in the 1980s. We go back every year. This year we are in a buying mood, for a little house atop a hill, overlooking 'Donza.'
Is there a trait in your personality that you do not like?
No!
What is the trait you most deplore in others?
Lack of generosity of spirit.
Do you have a great fear or superstition of anything?
I have no superstitions, which includes no belief in any religions. I find the likelihood of there being a Magic Sky Daddy up there - of any description - to be literally beyond belief. I have had many discussions on this subject with Nick Farr-Jones and he is mad. Do you hear me? MAD!
In all your life what do you consider your greatest and most proud achievement?
My proudest achievements, and greatest are two distinct things. I remain tragically proud of being the only Wallaby sent from the field against the All Blacks for violence. My greatest achievement is to have written 25 books in the last 25 years, not all of them colouring in books.
What is your most treasured possession?
My late mother's notebook, where she put down her thoughts on various things, for over 70 years.
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
A just completed book, three happy children, a happy wife, and being on my way back to Donzenac with her. How funny I should say that...!
What is something that you feel you haven't yet achieved in your life?
I have books that have sold really well in Australia, New Zealand, South Korea and Holland, and sold reasonably well in UK and USA. But I have never had a dinkum international best seller, and I want one! My best chance is the world discovering just how extraordinary the saga of the shipwreck of the BATAVIA is, off the west coast of Australia in 1629. Please buy it and TELL EVERYONE!
What has been a kind of 'motto' that has got you through life - to where you are today?
One is; "There is no problem so great that enough gin 'n tonics can't fix them in the short term!' And...'The Art of Writing is the Art of Rewriting!'
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Every day there is Rugby History 14 August 1971
Click to show The Lions finally win a test series in New Zealand
Even though the All Blacks scored more tries in the four games; the Lions won 2 tests, NZ one test - with a 14-14 draw on this day in Auckland.
A-Z of Rugby
Click to show FERGUSON, CRAIG
FERGUSON, CRAIG
A leading Australian international referee from 1963 to 1971. Perhaps the most significant of the six full tests matches Craig Ferguson controlled were two of the three tests played by the Springboks against Australia in the protest-troubled tour of 1971, games riddled with tension and pressure, played on fields surrounded by police.
The South Africans had already seen Ferguson six years before when he handled the first test between the same two nations at Sydney. The Springboks winced at his penalty count of 17–5 against them in the match, which Australia won by 18–12, including four penalty goals. The South African press was very critical of Ferguson’s refereeing, pointing out that the Wallabies had 17 shots at goal in the game to the Springboks’ three.
During his career, Craig Ferguson controlled 165 Sydney first grade games.
10 Questions to well known sporting people
Today's KQ Rugby Quiz
On the Teen Rugby Show on TV in New Zealand (on 18 July 2006) which All Black used the words; 'bugger, shit, shits and shithouse' in a five minute item.
What do you think?
Click here to show the answer.