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![Not allowed!](images/buttons/up_dis.png)
A good read on the Big Dog
https://www.rugby.com.au/news/2019/0...-beat-mccalman
Been a while since I've actually read a story on rugby.com that was worth the time reading
Indeed. I actually briefly considered not reading it when I realised it was on rugby.com.au, and felt a little dirty posting a link to it here.
A top bloke and one of my favourite players....
Force Legends Series - Ben McCalman
Article on one of the all time favourites slipped in this week:
This week, it's Ben "Big Dog" McCalman, one of the toughest players to don the Force jersey.
Read More:
Force Legends: Ben McCalman
Simon Cron: “People talk about winning and losing all the time and they are critical, but there’s a process to get into and it’s the ability to stay present, do your job and execute skills under pressure.”
He was the ultimate quiet achiever for a decade over this way. The almost reckless way he threw himself into the game it was no real surprise he ended up busted. Along with Hodgo and Brynard he was one of the toughest we've had. It's no surprise either, to read of the esteem he is held in by those who've known him personally.
"The main difference between playing League and Union is that now I get my hangovers on Monday instead of Sunday - Tom David
Absolute champion on and off the field.
2015 World Cup England vs Wallabies after the game and we somehow (memory is a bit fuzzy for some reason 😵found ourselves at the gate with the Wallabies team bus watching the team get on. Saw Big Dog and yelled out “Great work Ben, from a Force fan”. He was two steps on the bus but turned around and came over and said g’day. We weren’t expecting him to come so weren’t ready but he was patient enough while we scrambled for a marker to sign my hat.
Also like us he wasn’t very impressed with the bitchy Waratahs supporter (that is story by itself) who wouldn’t loan us her marker just in case one of her precious Waratahs decided to come over, none did.
Week later we watched from the stands heart in throats as he stopped that Welsh try.
for what its worth
Ben McCalman is a friend of a friend of mine - they went to Boarding School together.
Ben is back working on the family farm in Country NSW. He's happy.
Exile
Port Macquarie
"Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. It’s a very mean and nasty place and I don’t care how tough you are it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain’t about how hard ya hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done! Now if you know what you’re worth then go out and get what you’re worth. But ya gotta be willing to take the hits, and not pointing fingers saying you ain’t where you wanna be because of him, or her, or anybody! Cowards do that and that ain’t you! You’re better than that!" - Rocky Balboa
good read thanks ,a few good memories there![]()