The Immortals of Australian Rugby Union (Gordon Bray, Gelding Street Press)

The current crop of Wallabies may have lost their lustre, but Gordon Bray’s latest offering, The Immortals of Australian Rugby Union, harks back to a golden age of the sport. Gordon has been entrusted with naming the 15 ‘immortals’—no easy task considering the almost 1000 players who have been capped by playing a Test for Australia. Such a selection can be controversial as many have valid claims for the honour. Known as the voice of rugby in Australia, Gordon has always brought a layered approach to his commentary, which is reflected in his writing here and which makes the book far more than just a numbered list of players. Through his research and storytelling strength, Bray takes readers inside the matches and tours where players built their reputations and shows there’s more to them than what they contribute on the field. He offers details about their families and life outside of rugby and weaves anecdotes throughout, bringing the players to life. He tells of George Smith’s colourful response to being told of his Test selection by coach Rod Macqueen, thinking it was a teammate prank; how legendary skipper John Thornett missed four Tests after contracting impetigo when packing down in a scrum against a pig farmer in Leicester; and of the gruesome injury that ended superstar Ken Catchpole’s representative career. While The Immortals of Australian Rugby Union will mainly appeal to rugby enthusiasts, these colourful tales and accompanying photographs give the book its wider appeal.

Books+Publishing reviewer: Melissa Woods has worked as a sport journalist in Australia for the past 30 years. Books+Publishing is Australia’s number-one source of pre-publication book reviews.

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