“Dare we hope? We dare. Can we hope? We can. Should we hope? We must, because to do otherwise is to waste the most precious of gifts, given so freely by God to all of us. So when we do die, it will be with hope and it will be easy and our hearts will not be broken.”Andy Ripley RIP
UPDATE: Thanks to Rick S in the comments for uploading this to YouTube.
8 comments:
A wonderful, brave man and a legend of sport. I was in the crowd at Twickenham when Ripley won his first cap against Wales in 1972 - England might have lost but Ripley lit the game up.
I don't mind admitting that I shed a tear or two when I heard the news, even though it had been long anticipated. Goodbye Andy, and thanks for the memories - there will never be anyone like you again.
Rick S
It was people like Andy Ripley that got me interested in playing rugby at my comprehensive. After arriving home from playing football for the school on Saturdays it was Football Focus followed by 5 Nations rugby. My school had recently adopted rugby and I was eager to play.
I once saw a tap penalty on the half way line and the English flanker Tony Neary run with the ball and after 10 yards Andy Ripley burst through run through the Scottish defence. The Scottish full back Andy Irvine made an heroic tackle before Ripley laid it off to Neary to score. Andy Irvine motionless was carried off on a stretcher.
Also one of Ripley'slesser know feats was that he held the world record for indoor rowing machine. My best time for 2,000 meters is 7 minutes 57, he was nearly 2 inutes ahead.
A great man.
50–54 HWT Andy Ripley United Kingdom 6:07.7 1998
http://www.concept2.com/us/racing/records/2000m_records.asp
"I once saw a tap penalty on the half way line and the English flanker Tony Neary run with the ball and after 10 yards Andy Ripley burst through run through the Scottish defence. The Scottish full back Andy Irvine made an heroic tackle before Ripley laid it off to Neary to score."
Dave, I've just posted that try on YouTube, along with Ripley's try off the back of a scrum against Wales the same year. Just type in "Andy Ripley" and you should find it.
Rick S
Thanks Rick, just seen it.
Nice one, Rick. I've embedded it above. :-)
Great man, sorely missed
Awesome, awesome rugby player. Supporting England in the 70s was more often than not hard work, but Mr Ripley sometimes made it worth it. Thx for the post and the video embed.
How many of England's football players boast of an intellect like Ripley's? Never mind the skill!
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