Big heroes.

Heroes come in all shapes and sizes. Some loom largest in the prose they right, the souls they reach. Others in the movements the inspire, the change they bring about. And sometimes they come 6ft 8inches tall and about 20 stone, like Simon Shaw.

Simon Shaw - England rugby player, a player always seen as never quite having fulfilled the potential and talent many believed he possessed. In 2009 he was coming to the end of his playing career, and was picked to go on the British Lions tour of South Africa, the pinnacle of any British rugby player's career (the Lions only tour every 4years). He'd played for the Lions before 16 times, but had never been capped in a full test match.

However, aged almost 36 he was picked for the second test against the South Africans. The talented Lions team had narrowly lost a great first game and got off to a flying start in the second, led by Shaw. Some say it was the greatest performance by a British player in his position ever. Shaw played like a man realizing that these days would not visit him many more times in the future, and therefore must be gripped and wrung for all their worth, he took the Lions jersey somewhere new that day.

But despite a great performance by the team, and this legendary performance by Shaw, the Lions were beaten with the final kick of the game, and therefore lost the entire series. The South Africans erupted with joy (and relief), and Simon Shaw was awarded the man of the match.

Directly following the game Shaw was interviewed on Sky. The interview, especially the second half, feels like it's from a bygone era. A time when our sporting heroes cared most about the higher ideals they played for - for country, for team. A time when the idea of media training would seem ridiculous. Shaw had just given the performance that all other players who ever pull that shirt on will be judged by, and yet he would have given it all up to have won. To have just won a test in the shirt, and kept that series alive.

But as he said, with tears in his eyes, "that's the way it goes", what a fucking hero.

Comments

[Marcus]

I know nothing of rugby. In fact, I think I may have actually avoided it all together. This post may have changed that. This post may be one of your best. I love it when you write like this.

[Colman]

Thanks, Marcus, and good evening.

[John V Willshire]

That was the day of my stag do. We watched Australia v Sussex down at Hove, and left after three hours to watch the Rugby. Just a *bit* gutting.

On the bright side, Australia drew with Sussex, lost confidence, and several weeks later Ricky Ponting was bowled by Broad at Lords as we were married. I found this out afterwards.

Happy days.

[neilperkin]

I agree with Marcus. A lovely post.

[Colman]

John, happy days indeed.

Neil, good to see you over these parts, a nice and gentle reminder that people do very occasionally, if the wind is blowing in the right direction, head over to blogs.

[Ucanbe]

ow THAT - is a post. Colman - legend. Well done. Timely.

[doug]

Am I a hero?

[Colman]

No, Fresh, just a media boy done good.

[Brett T. T. Macfarlane]

It's curious the truest spirit of sport and sportsmanship rarely lies with the greats and winningest but more those who fought the hardest for their shot.

Quality, proper blogging. Nice.

[Colman]

Very nicely put, Brett.

[Rob]

You're being very sentimental at the moment - it's nice - especially when it results in wonderful posts like this and the previous one.

We need more people who believe in doing stuff for a higher purpose rather than just personal gain - but then I work in adland so I'm about as hypocritical as you can get.

[Rob]

1:25-1:34 and 2:00-2:10 are sheer bloody awesome.

[Colman]

Sentimental is a trap, but who cares, right.

[Rob]

A good trap. Sometimes ...

[doug]

@Paulo LOL

[John]

Has Ms. Tyler been informed?

[ryan]

Mr. Colman. Excellent. A true hero indeed.

[Colman]

John, WTF?

Ryan, welcome etc

[Rob]

The Australian version doesn't quite match it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Ah_JzyVd4E

[Colman]

Rob, I've spent years waiting for the right time to share that clip in a Nike briefing.

"There was this chick in the Olympics, she came 8th or something, but that doesn't matter..."

[Rob]

I love that bit - it's my favourite part of the whole thing - you've inspired me to play it to Simon @ NIKE, let's hope he gets it. Or I'll see you at the job centre.

[Colman]

"The bitch didn't quit", eloquent.

[Rob]

Showed it Simon, his response:

"Good job they didn't video my staff meeting today".

What a legend.

[Graeme Douglas]

Hello?

[Colman]

Evening, Fresh.

[Peter Hatton]

Beautifully written, inspiration in a strange softly spoken intense way. You should have just signed off hero, the fuck was Superfluous