Nepia and Rowlands touch down in decorum stakes

These days, apparently, no sportsperson can be considered "professional" unless and until they have churned out the seemingly obligatory life story, generally with the help of a member of the media), no matter how nascent their career nor how uninteresting their tale might be.

This proliferation of "autobiographies" has reached epidemic proportions. If they had something worthwhile to say, it might not be so bad, but generally all the reader gets is a chronological plod over old ground, with opinions on the athlete's sport and its administrators heavily diluted.

Thankfully, a couple of books have emerged this year to restore a sense of decorum to the sports books industry. The first is I, George Nepia: The Autobiography of a Rugby Legend by George Nepia and Terry McLean (London League Publications, £13.95); the second Clive Rowlands: Top Cat by Clive Rowlands and John Evans (Mainstream Publishing, £9.99).

Each was written long after the player's retirement. In the case of George Nepia, who died in 1986, aged 81, the book is a reprint, but one with a difference. The first edition was published in 1963, when the subject was already well into his 50s.

But London League Publications have not contented themselves with a simple reissue; they have done further research and persuaded Sir Terry McLean, the distinguished New Zealand rugby writer, to provide more copy.

The result is a thoroughly good read, with plenty of gaps filled in about the life of this legendary player, while the pleasure of the original, which has been reprinted without a change, is retained.

There is also a wonderful slip in the foreword to the new edition, in which Oma Nepia, one of George's children, speaks of his honour at being asked to write the forward (sic). The book loses nothing by this.

Nepia was a member of the All Blacks who toured England, Wales, Ireland and France, and won all 32 matches, a feat which earned the team the sobriquet "The Invincibles". Full-back Nepia was the only specialist in that position on the tour and played in every match.

Of his 46 appearances in an All Black jersey, a record 38 were consecutive. He played nine tests between 1924 and 1930, and instances of his courage and skill were legion. His dignity was also exemplary.

This book is a salient reminder to modern protagonists and fans of some of the qualities that transcend professionalism and lie at the very heart of this and all sports.

So too is Rowlands' offering. He really is one of those who has done everything in the game in Wales. All 14 of Rowlands' caps were won as captain between 1963 and 1965, before he went on to coach and then to manage the national side, was a selector and ultimately became president of the Welsh Rugby Union. He was also accorded the signal honour of managing the 1989 Lions in Australia.

If anyone is in a position to comment, not only about the past, but also about the present it must be Rowlands, whose views on the future of the game bear thinking about as well.

Rowlands' son-in-law, Robert Jones, like Rowlands a scrum-half, was co-author of an excellent book last year, Raising The Dragon: A Clarion Call to Welsh Rugby (Virgin, £17.99), which sadly did not make it into paperback or a reprint.

In it, Jones dealt with a lot more than just his life. Like Rowlands, he too looked at where the game could and should go.

Rowlands' measured prose and years of experience suggest some revolutionary yet sound, logical steps that the game should take, and not just parochially either. "Top Cat", as he is known, after the cartoon character who wanted to be boss of everything, takes a hard look at the global game as well. It is a provocative and fascinating read.

Another former Wales scrum-half, Rupert Moon, also has a dart at the way things are in his entertaining autobiography Full Moon: Rugby in the Red by Rupert Moon and David Roach (Mainstream 14.99). But this Black Country-born boy, who qualified for Wales under the residency regulation, also comes up with a rather startling pronouncement: he defends the WRU.

Moon calls for a salary cap, foments the present row over "super teams" by arguing that Wales should be represented by districts, and generally invites hostility from every traditionalist in the Principality.

But at least he talks sense, presenting opponents with the opportunity to put together convincing arguments against his ideas.

All three of these Welshmen care about their national game. All three want it to survive, but recognise the need for change. They are positive about that, putting forward their own thoughts.

Would that the remainder of the rugby community could do the same.

Also recommended

Talking Rugby: The Changing World of Professional Rugby, By Gareth Edwards (Headline, £18.99): Original approach, which will provoke debate and provides a good read.

Player's Guide to the Laws, By Derek Robinson (Collins Willow, £6.99): Ideal vade mecum, in a pocket-sized format, for "terrace" referees and possibly for match officials themselves. A witty delivery makes it very readable.

Lions and Falcons: My Diary of a Remarkable Year 2000-01, By Jonny Wilkinson (Headline, £6.99): Not exactly earth-shattering, but worth getting if only to compare opinions here with those that will appear in the "definitive" autobiography that will inevitably follow at the end of his career.

Jeremy Guscott: The Autobiography (Headline, £6.99): Not as great an author as he was a player, but this is a cheap enough publication with enough anecdotes and insights to keep boredom at bay.

The IRB International Rugby Yearbook (Collins Willow, £14.99): The usual classy offering, packed with statistics.