The Iceman (Mainstream Sport) - Softcover

John Monie is probably the most successful coach the game of rugby has ever seen. He has won Premiership grand finals on both sides of the world, and is the only man to have coached an English and Australian club which have both won every trophy available to them in a single season! These remarkable accomplishments were achieved by an ice-cool approach to the job and a total dedication to winning, earning him the nickname of "The Iceman". This title tells his story, from his earliest days as a player whilst at school to his playing and coaching career. In his youth Monie's renowned toughness was honed in the boxing booth which came to town with the rodeo and proved useful with Bush club Woy-Woy, then Parramatta, Wigan and The Auckland Warriors. It is for his time at Wigan that people remember him, when the club won the League and Cup double in an unprecedented four consecutive seasons. "The Iceman" reveals the truth behind his leaving the club and the row it caused with the then club chairman. Ian Robson, who was the chief executive of the Auckland Warriors, reveals that he was the villain, not Monie, in spiriting Wigan players to New Zealand.

Tom Mather has written a number of books about the history of the rugby league game including Rugby League Myth (with Michael Latham) and The James Leytham Diary. A lifelong fan of rugby, having been involved in writing about, playing and administering the game, he presently lives on the Flyde Coast where he is head of psychology at a local school.