Hoggy Retires

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Niegs
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:lol: 2005 wasn't just a few years ago then?

I'm a few years off, but I meant the first generation who went straight from school into rugby with no uni / trade quals. I don't know if Wilkinson ever took a class at Durham, but didn't a lot of his generation have something else going for them? Lewsey was famously Army, but looking at some others, maybe all those born around 77-80 were the first true pros in that regard?
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Enzedder
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Niegs wrote: Mon Nov 04, 2024 4:12 pm :lol: 2005 wasn't just a few years ago then?

I'm a few years off, but I meant the first generation who went straight from school into rugby with no uni / trade quals. I don't know if Wilkinson ever took a class at Durham, but didn't a lot of his generation have something else going for them? Lewsey was famously Army, but looking at some others, maybe all those born around 77-80 were the first true pros in that regard?
Agree - Nick Farr-Jones Aussie side was full of degrees from memory. Not such a thing now as these guys are signed up once they're weaned.
I drink and I forget things.
inactionman
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A fiar few of the amatuer era would just get honorary jobs after retiring that they were patently not qualified for
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Sandstorm
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Enzedder wrote: Mon Nov 04, 2024 4:49 pm
Niegs wrote: Mon Nov 04, 2024 4:12 pm :lol: 2005 wasn't just a few years ago then?

I'm a few years off, but I meant the first generation who went straight from school into rugby with no uni / trade quals. I don't know if Wilkinson ever took a class at Durham, but didn't a lot of his generation have something else going for them? Lewsey was famously Army, but looking at some others, maybe all those born around 77-80 were the first true pros in that regard?
Agree - Nick Farr-Jones Aussie side was full of degrees from memory. Not such a thing now as these guys are signed up once they're weaned.
Wait, are you saying Joe Marler didn't go to University? :eek:
epwc
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Maro Itoje definitely completed his degree at SOAS
epwc
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Sandstorm wrote: Mon Nov 04, 2024 4:56 pmWait, are you saying Joe Marler didn't go to University? :eek:
I was talking to someone on Friday who not only got a degree but also a masters, believe me university education does not prevent you from being a thick as shit ignorant bastard.
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Niegs
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epwc wrote: Mon Nov 04, 2024 4:57 pm Maro Itoje definitely completed his degree at SOAS
Maybe other clubs do this too and it's just that Sarries were all about self-promotion and people were gushing over their success, but I remember hearing that the club had a commendable approach to supporting / urging "plan for life after rugby".
Slick
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Niegs wrote: Mon Nov 04, 2024 4:12 pm :lol: 2005 wasn't just a few years ago then?

I'm a few years off, but I meant the first generation who went straight from school into rugby with no uni / trade quals. I don't know if Wilkinson ever took a class at Durham, but didn't a lot of his generation have something else going for them? Lewsey was famously Army, but looking at some others, maybe all those born around 77-80 were the first true pros in that regard?
Josh actually had an Army bursary to go to university. Think he did his final exams on an England tour if I remember correctly!
All the money you made will never buy back your soul
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SaintK
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Aren't most of the Prem clubs affiliated to local colleges/unis for their academy players
Saracens with Oaklands College in St Albans
Saints with Moulton College on the outskirts of town
Falcons at Northumbria University
Think Bath and Exeter have strong links with their local unversities
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Paddington Bear
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Has to be an argument for rugby replicating cricket’s MCCU/UCCE scheme to get more pros degrees and a bit older before committing to the pro game full time
Old men forget: yet all shall be forgot, But he'll remember with advantages, What feats he did that day
sockwithaticket
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The Premiership should be much more tuned into the BUCS system. Academies seem to have a pretty high fail rate and it would benefit the players to go through a degree or other training and then start playing pro rugby after that. Most of them would also have pretty much finished any drastic physical development by the end of their degree, whereas the lads in academies from the age of 14 can be a bit of a stab in the dark.


We hear stories from absolute gems of players like Launchbury and Freeman about being released from one academy or another and yet managing to become top flight players nonetheless. Freeman's just done an interview with 02 inside line where he talked about being behind others in his academy class when it came to gym work, he just wasn't developing as quickly - but look at him now! There has to be some merit in waiting 'til these guys reach a greater degree of physical maturity. On the other end of it I remember reading an interview with Jacob Umaga's dad Mike where he said he was constantly having to reassure academy coaches that, based on him and uncle Tana, Jacob would eventually fill out. He obviously didn't, but there's still a role for him on a professional rugby team nonetheless.

Imagine the talent that's being allowed to fall by the wayside because those young men don't yet have the mental fortitude to fight through their disappointment or the bloody-mindedness to disagree with the assessment of people they would consider experts in their field (academy coaches).

Going back to the fail rate, in the 20 years I followed Wasps I'd regularly check on who was coming through in the academy and senior academy squads on the club website and it felt like never more than a fraction ever made it to the first team with an even smaller number ever establishing themselves. There's got to be a better way of doing things.
Slick
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sockwithaticket wrote: Mon Nov 04, 2024 6:24 pm The Premiership should be much more tuned into the BUCS system. Academies seem to have a pretty high fail rate and it would benefit the players to go through a degree or other training and then start playing pro rugby after that. Most of them would also have pretty much finished any drastic physical development by the end of their degree, whereas the lads in academies from the age of 14 can be a bit of a stab in the dark.


We hear stories from absolute gems of players like Launchbury and Freeman about being released from one academy or another and yet managing to become top flight players nonetheless. Freeman's just done an interview with 02 inside line where he talked about being behind others in his academy class when it came to gym work, he just wasn't developing as quickly - but look at him now! There has to be some merit in waiting 'til these guys reach a greater degree of physical maturity. On the other end of it I remember reading an interview with Jacob Umaga's dad Mike where he said he was constantly having to reassure academy coaches that, based on him and uncle Tana, Jacob would eventually fill out. He obviously didn't, but there's still a role for him on a professional rugby team nonetheless.

Imagine the talent that's being allowed to fall by the wayside because those young men don't yet have the mental fortitude to fight through their disappointment or the bloody-mindedness to disagree with the assessment of people they would consider experts in their field (academy coaches).

Going back to the fail rate, in the 20 years I followed Wasps I'd regularly check on who was coming through in the academy and senior academy squads on the club website and it felt like never more than a fraction ever made it to the first team with an even smaller number ever establishing themselves. There's got to be a better way of doing things.
How Jones is another good example, couldn’t get a game at uni and went travelling to SA.

I’ll always remember Stuart Grimes the ex Scotland 2nd row who ended up getting 60 odd caps I think. We were in the same year at school together, a school which didn’t take rugby at all seriously, and he never played. A few years later he was at uni and went to Watsonians to watch his mate play for the 4th team and they were short, got persuaded to have a go and 2 years later got his first cap.
All the money you made will never buy back your soul
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JM2K6
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Coaches being strongarmed does explain Jacob Umaga having a professional career
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SaintK
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Is he likely to face jail time in Janauary or does it depend on if he behaves between now and then?
Former Scotland rugby union captain Stuart Hogg has been sentenced to a five-year non-harassment order and fined after breaching bail.
Hogg had his sentence for abusing his estranged wife over the course of five years deferred until January 9.
He earlier admitted breaching bail conditions by repeatedly contacting his ex-partner, Gillian Hogg, in June.
https://www.rugbypass.com/news/ex-sc ... t-order/
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Insane_Homer
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He's already clearly demostrated he can't control himself by breaching bail condidtions, who the fuck actually thinks he's going to abide by the five-year non-harassment order?
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Blackmac
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SaintK wrote: Thu Dec 05, 2024 12:48 pm Is he likely to face jail time in Janauary or does it depend on if he behaves between now and then?
Former Scotland rugby union captain Stuart Hogg has been sentenced to a five-year non-harassment order and fined after breaching bail.
Hogg had his sentence for abusing his estranged wife over the course of five years deferred until January 9.
He earlier admitted breaching bail conditions by repeatedly contacting his ex-partner, Gillian Hogg, in June.
https://www.rugbypass.com/news/ex-sc ... t-order/
That's a very odd sentencing. It's hard to understand how he can receive the non harassment order for breaching bail which is essentially a crime against the court rather than the offence he was on bail for. I would have expected the NHO to be in relation to the offences against his wife. Usually breach of bail offences are taken into consideration as aggregations of the original offence rather than sentenced separately.
Blackmac
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Insane_Homer wrote: Thu Dec 05, 2024 1:08 pm He's already clearly demostrated he can't control himself by breaching bail condidtions, who the fuck actually thinks he's going to abide by the five-year non-harassment order?
Straight to jail, do not pass go.
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Torquemada 1420
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Another abuser of women who is welcomed with open arms to France to follow the likes of Olding & Jackson.
Blackmac
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Torquemada 1420 wrote: Sun Dec 08, 2024 1:56 pm Another abuser of women who is welcomed with open arms to France to follow the likes of Olding & Jackson.
The commentary around the Pelicot trial is certainly trying to highlight that there appears to be a trivialisation of domestic and sexual abuse.
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Torquemada 1420
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Blackmac wrote: Sun Dec 08, 2024 2:37 pm
Torquemada 1420 wrote: Sun Dec 08, 2024 1:56 pm Another abuser of women who is welcomed with open arms to France to follow the likes of Olding & Jackson.
The commentary around the Pelicot trial is certainly trying to highlight that there appears to be a trivialisation of domestic and sexual abuse.
Very much so. It's disgusting.
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Torquemada 1420
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Blackmac wrote: Sun Dec 08, 2024 2:37 pm
Torquemada 1420 wrote: Sun Dec 08, 2024 1:56 pm Another abuser of women who is welcomed with open arms to France to follow the likes of Olding & Jackson.
The commentary around the Pelicot trial is certainly trying to highlight that there appears to be a trivialisation of domestic and sexual abuse.
More in the same vein
https://www.rugbyrama.fr/2024/12/13/pro ... 390452.php :cry:
inactionman
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Assume this doesn't mean he'll be out sweeping roads
Former Scotland rugby union captain Stuart Hogg has been given a one-year community payback order after he admitted a domestic abuse charge against his estranged wife.

The 32-year-old was previously given a five-year non-harassment order and fined £600 after breaching bail conditions.

He had admitted shouting and swearing and acting in an abusive manner towards his wife Gillian.

Appearing at Selkirk Sheriff Court, he was given a payback order - meaning he will do supervised work in the community - and a non-harassment order was imposed again.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cj0r0jv9114o
Biffer
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inactionman wrote: Thu Jan 09, 2025 11:27 am Assume this doesn't mean he'll be out sweeping roads
Former Scotland rugby union captain Stuart Hogg has been given a one-year community payback order after he admitted a domestic abuse charge against his estranged wife.

The 32-year-old was previously given a five-year non-harassment order and fined £600 after breaching bail conditions.

He had admitted shouting and swearing and acting in an abusive manner towards his wife Gillian.

Appearing at Selkirk Sheriff Court, he was given a payback order - meaning he will do supervised work in the community - and a non-harassment order was imposed again.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cj0r0jv9114o
He'll get away with doing some rugby coaching for kids or some such.
And are there two g’s in Bugger Off?
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Tichtheid
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Every time this thread gets refreshed I think, "What the hell has the prick done now?"

The first thing he should do is get off the sauce, completely - some people just can't drink.
Deepsouth
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Yeah but he's a scumbag,,,,
Deepsouth
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Remember...
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SaintK
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Deepsouth wrote: Thu Jan 09, 2025 11:51 am Yeah but he's a scumbag,,,,
He certainly is. And you're a trolling cunt
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ScarfaceClaw
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And quelle surprise, dodges jail again.
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Paddington Bear
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Looks like he hasn’t slept in days and has been on a hell of a bender - hopefully someone is looking out for him
Old men forget: yet all shall be forgot, But he'll remember with advantages, What feats he did that day
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Yr Alban
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Slick wrote: Mon Nov 04, 2024 5:32 pm
Niegs wrote: Mon Nov 04, 2024 4:12 pm :lol: 2005 wasn't just a few years ago then?

I'm a few years off, but I meant the first generation who went straight from school into rugby with no uni / trade quals. I don't know if Wilkinson ever took a class at Durham, but didn't a lot of his generation have something else going for them? Lewsey was famously Army, but looking at some others, maybe all those born around 77-80 were the first true pros in that regard?
Josh actually had an Army bursary to go to university. Think he did his final exams on an England tour if I remember correctly!
Medical students have an ‘elective’ in their final year in which they go to a different institution (usually overseas) to get experience there as part of their training. Some medical schools require you to do a project (mine did). Others just need you to get a piece of paper saying you were there.

I know from a friend that Jamie Roberts was somehow allowed to claim a Lions tour as his elective. I guess it helps when you’re at Uni in Cardiff…
It is in truth not for glory, nor riches, nor honours that we are fighting, but for freedom - for that alone, which no honest man gives up but with life itself.
Deepsouth
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Paddington Bear wrote: Thu Jan 09, 2025 1:14 pm Looks like he hasn’t slept in days and has been on a hell of a bender - hopefully someone is looking out for him
Hopefully a corporeal will look after me he. Not that you would yoy know ...
Deepsouth
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Paddington Bear wrote: Thu Jan 09, 2025 1:14 pm Looks like he hasn’t slept in days and has been on a hell of a bender - hopefully someone is looking out for him
God we love the English. They are so compliant....
Blackmac
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Biffer wrote: Thu Jan 09, 2025 11:43 am
inactionman wrote: Thu Jan 09, 2025 11:27 am Assume this doesn't mean he'll be out sweeping roads
Former Scotland rugby union captain Stuart Hogg has been given a one-year community payback order after he admitted a domestic abuse charge against his estranged wife.

The 32-year-old was previously given a five-year non-harassment order and fined £600 after breaching bail conditions.

He had admitted shouting and swearing and acting in an abusive manner towards his wife Gillian.

Appearing at Selkirk Sheriff Court, he was given a payback order - meaning he will do supervised work in the community - and a non-harassment order was imposed again.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cj0r0jv9114o
He'll get away with doing some rugby coaching for kids or some such.
So utterly bloody predictable.
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fishfoodie
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Pathetic !

Not even a suspended sentence to make sure that if/when he breaches any of the orders again, he'll be guaranteed some gaol time.
Jock42
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Complete joke. I'm all for rehabilitation but there needs to be punishment too.
Blackmac
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fishfoodie wrote: Thu Jan 09, 2025 6:35 pm Pathetic !

Not even a suspended sentence to make sure that if/when he breaches any of the orders again, he'll be guaranteed some gaol time.
The non harassment orders pretty much guarantee that.
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Uncle fester
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Knew he is a dirtbag but this...
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/ ... al-compass
His ex-girlfriend of three years, Jilly O’Donnell, told of not realising Hogg was still with his wife until she saw him on television revealing he and Gill were expecting their fourth child together.
Exeter is a relatively small place and whispers of domestic problems were widespread well before his final months with the Chiefs. When he abruptly announced his retirement in July 2023, less than two months before the start of last year’s Rugby World Cup, he cited physical wear and tear – “I feel I have a 70-year-old man’s body before my time” – as the primary reason. Behind the scenes, though, it is understood the collective mood in Scotland’s camp improved significantly after Hogg, no longer a guaranteed starter, stepped aside.
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Uncle fester
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He's also a distant relation of George Best apparently?
Slick
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Uncle fester wrote: Sat Jan 11, 2025 11:24 am Knew he is a dirtbag but this...
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/ ... al-compass
His ex-girlfriend of three years, Jilly O’Donnell, told of not realising Hogg was still with his wife until she saw him on television revealing he and Gill were expecting their fourth child together.
Exeter is a relatively small place and whispers of domestic problems were widespread well before his final months with the Chiefs. When he abruptly announced his retirement in July 2023, less than two months before the start of last year’s Rugby World Cup, he cited physical wear and tear – “I feel I have a 70-year-old man’s body before my time” – as the primary reason. Behind the scenes, though, it is understood the collective mood in Scotland’s camp improved significantly after Hogg, no longer a guaranteed starter, stepped aside.
Didn’t do us much fucking good to be fair
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Tichtheid
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Uncle fester wrote: Sat Jan 11, 2025 11:30 am He's also a distant relation of George Best apparently?

There are parallels there, though of course the world Best was in was huge compared to rugby. Hogg became a very big name in the very small ponds of Glasgow and Scotland rugby. He carried that on at Exeter.
I thought I'd written this before on this thread, if I've done so on another one then apologies for the repetition, but Hogg was in a car crash when he was around 16 or 17, I think two of his mates died, including his best friend. They were stupid boys hurtling round those tight roads in the Borders - the sign Hogg made to the heavens any time he scored was a remembrance of that.

He was a professional player at 18, at 19 he became an international player cited as the biggest thing in Scottish rugby since Andy Irvine, with that came pressure, money and drink. He seriously fucked it all up.

This doesn't excuse any of his appalling behaviour, but perhaps it's part of the explanation.
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