The Jersey cover art

The Jersey

The Secrets Behind the World's Most Successful Team

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The Jersey

By: Peter Bills
Narrated by: Mike Sengelow
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About this listen

The phenomenal International Number One Bestseller with exclusive interviews with Richie McCaw, Steve Hansen, Beauden Barrett and Dan Carter, The Jersey is the first definitive story behind the greatest sports team on the planet.

'Extremely well written. Compelling, accurate, insightful and brilliant in the way it captures the New Zealand way. - John Hart, former All Blacks coach.

With a better winning record than any other sports team in history, they stand head and shoulders above their nearest rugby rivals. How did a country of just 4.8 million people conquer the world?

Peter Bills, who has reported on international rugby for more than forty years, was given exclusive access to all the key figures in New Zealand rugby as he set out to understand the secrets behind the All Blacks success. From Steve Hansen to Beauden Barrett, Richie McCaw to the late Sir Colin Meads, Peter Bills talked at length with over ninety people, both in New Zealand and around the world, with intimate knowledge of what makes the All Blacks tick.

This is a story of the first settlers, and the 'Originals' who forged the All Blacks legacy, right through to modern times. It draws heavily on the contributions made by all New Zealanders: players, coaches, officials, supporters and those who have worn the most recognized jersey in the world. Intrinsically, The Jersey goes to the heart of the All Blacks success. It is also an epic story of not just a rugby team but a nation, whose identities are inextricably linked. Additionally, it debates a question, terrifying for any of their opponents. Could the All Blacks get even better?

©2018 Peter Bills (P)2018 Macmillan Digital Audio
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Critic reviews

This is a wonderful description of why the All Blacks are so good. The author's assessment is spot on. Beautifully written. (Nick Mallett, ex-South Africa and Italy coach.)

A great read . . . I thoroughly enjoyed it (Conrad Smith, 94-times capped All Blacks)
Very good. The New Zealand people will like it. I thought the schools chapter was particularly good (Sir Graham Henry, All Blacks' 2011 World Cup winning coach)

What listeners say about The Jersey

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    4 out of 5 stars

interesting insight but arrogance too

the story here is interesting but at times it seems as though its NZ arrogance

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    5 out of 5 stars

superb book

leave the Irish accents to the Irish
an incredible piece of research on an institution

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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An enjoyable read. More than just rugby

A well-researched and well written book. As well as rugby, it delves into the culture and mindset of the New Zealand nation and you are then able to connect the dots from their psyche all the way through to the All Blacks itself, gaining a better understanding on why they have remained peerless for decades. A very honest account of NZ rugby, not afraid of criticising the All Black if needed. Well narrated and enjoyable.

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

A good summation of All Black rugby

At the start, I was worried this was going to be a 14 hour fluff piece about the All Black 'mystique'. However, it turned into a good summation of AB rugby, and the writer does address some of the negatives or problematic elements of the sport in New Zealand. Notably, he addresses the kiwi tendency to be insular and whether their internal obsession with success is, ultimately, damaging the future of their game.

In asking why the All Blacks succeed where other countries don't, the author does have a tendency to stretch it a bit too far. Some of his arguments are "one swallow making a summer" and, have proven over time, to be a bit daft: the 'demise of South African rugby' being the obvious example given in 2023 they matched the AB's achievement of back-to-back World Cup wins.

However, overall there is plenty of interesting stuff here to consider and the book is ultimately successful in addressing why the All Blacks have been so dominant for so long.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Great book

A must for all rugby fans. Makes you understand the world of being an AllBlack

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    4 out of 5 stars

good read..history amazing..but a bit long winded.

The books history was great but when the narrator spoke about guests you thought that the person would have spoke there lines not a attempt to be the person and accents..didn't work for me..sorry

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A real insight

A brilliant listen...touching on a lot of what makes this team so successful for well over over century

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A Good Listen

Was an interesting listen. Pulling together all the strands of what makes a New Zealander and New Zealander and ultimately those that go on to become an All Black.

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worth a listen for rugby fans

I wish the narrator could correctly pronounce maori and Samoan names. he also does funny accents when speaking on behalf of south African and Ireland legends. It's a bit cheesy.

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    1 out of 5 stars
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Insomnia curing

Dull, dull and a little more dull. Was like reading a bad school essay, yawn.

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