Rugby: Jack the lad...
Chris Jack is making a spirited bid to regain his All Black jersey and a place in the World Cup squad.
This time last year it felt like the Crusaders had made a mistake in bringing Chris Jack back to Christchurch. Now, it looks a smart piece of business with the 32-year-old having re-invented himself as a set piece man; a gruntman.
He has a new found desire to put himself about, play in the darker, more crowded parts of the field where glamour is in short supply. The man who appeared to be a spent force last year now looks anything but. An All Black recall, while still a long shot, is by no means out of the question.
One swallow does not a summer make but the way Jack dominated Victor Matfield of the Bulls in Timaru - and after another strong game against the Chiefs last week - has been enough to ensure his progress is now closely monitored. It takes more than luck to get in front of Matfield at lineouts and Jack was also a bruising presence, refusing to yield to an enormously powerful Bulls pack or a forceful Chiefs unit.
"I thought he was outstanding," was the assessment of Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder. "He showed all his experience. I know there were guys who played particularly well, but I thought under the radar he did a superb job.
He led the charge at the set piece and he got up and stole some critical ball."
The injury to Sam Whitelock has virtually assured Jack of an extended period to press his claim. His experience will be an attraction to the selectors as will the fact Jack has played at two previous World Cups. What will really intrigue them, though, is just how far down the road Jack has travelled towards being a tight lock, capable of producing the same work rate; the same impact as Brad Thorn.
In explaining last year how he saw Whitelock evolving, All Black assistant coach Steve Hansen said: "I think he'll go through the transition of both. He'll start as one of those guys who is really athletic, who gets around the park and does all the carries.
He will then as he finishes his career probably go into that tighter role where he's doing the hard yards and some other young buck is doing the carries.
"At 22, you'd think as long as he doesn't get a major injury he's going to play a lot of tests and be around for a long time. In 10 years time he'll be a different type of athlete." That blueprint could just as easily apply to Jack.
This time last year the former All Black looked destined to be exactly that; his time away didn't appear to have done much for his game other than accelerate the ageing process.
Jack The Lad - News
Full-back Jack Cuthbert has made it into Andy Robinson's provisional Scotland squad for the World Cup. The Bath Rugby back, who can also play on the wing, is one of four uncapped players in a 40-strong squad. Cuthbert was part of the Scotland squad in
Chris Jack is making a spirited bid to regain his All Black jersey and a place in the World Cup squad. This time last year it felt like the Crusaders had made a mistake in bringing Chris Jack back to Christchurch.
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So many people feel empty without you here Jack.” Emma Bailey posted: “This is heartbreaking even writing this, but I can't stop thinking about you. Love you millions Jack.” And Eddy Duffy left the message: RIP Jack lad u was a good guy can't believe
I've always been involved in big storylines but this time I've had a chance to show a different side to Jack and I think people are going to empathise with him. "He was initially 'Jack the lad', but we've gone deeper with him now so hopefully that
Jack the lad at Hillside | The Golf Empire Blog
STANDINGS: 175pts John Carroll (Huyton & Prescot); 150 Kris Taylor (Formby), Jack Brooks (Pleasington); 100 Mark Rabone (Southport & Ainsdale), Paul Howard (Southport & Ainsdale); 70 Sean Towndrow (Southport & Ainsdale); 60 Luke Mighall (Prenton); 50 Oliver Carr (Ulverston), Ryan Gillespie (Hillside); 45 Gareth Hastie (Dunscar), Glenn Senior (Lee Park); 40 Rob Law (Laithes), Andrew Molloy (Hillside); 30 Sean Blinkhorn (Southport & Ainsdale), Stephen McGlynn (Blackburn).
Just dscussed with my man and the lad cookin arrangements! I like the 'I cook, jack washes up' arrangement lol
i said HITLER was a don cos of how he came to power from being an ordinary jack the lad. but, allow killing the jews and stuff
Err. that's not the right attitude to be having jack the lad. think positive!! :D
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no disrespect to all your lads but is Jack Robinson your most high profile lad at the minute??Jack The Lad - Bookshelf
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