Ryan Giggs.....done and dusted?

Watching Ryan Giggs' brilliant play for Manchester last night, I was struck by the fact that he is 39 years old. I knew he was one of the old guard....but thirty nine....playing at that level! Soccer is far more demanding than rugby in terms of pure stamina, more akin to 7s really.  And strength has never been the issue for older rugby players....it's been the decline in speed and stamina. Giggs looked fast and supremely fit.

Not every rugby player will be like Giggs.....but we can't assume none will. Judge the need to retire on the field of play. O Driscoll is still test class at 34 , Thorne was at 36 in the RWC. There is hope for Schalk, Bakkies and Jean.

The difference is the physical demand on the body that takes its toll. O'Driscoll himself has said he is done but wants that last bite at the Lions cherry.

Giggs is one of those stamina freaks, much like Beckham is and Uli Schmidt was - they just keep going.

I dont think any of these older guys justify selection ahead of the youngsters. Bakkies ahead of Eben, no way in hell. I never rated Brad Thorn at all.

Given O'Driscoll has been one of the best 13's ever, he is probably the only one who merits selection ahead of other 13's in Ireland, for they dont have any.

Will O'Driscoll play 13 for the Lions ahead of Tuilangi or Davies - time will tell, but I suspect not. Tuilangi will be the Lions 13

giggs was awesome last night, or yesterday morning, really enjoyed that match and when they scored from that away goal, my hopes went throught he roof, but sadly,,,

ah well, next year red devils, those spanish clubs will always have a leg up personal wise. only a few games to go before another EPL notch is on uniteds belt, :o)

Say whatever you want, but playing at that level at age 39 is simply mind blowing. Rugby, soccer whatever, playing at 39 is a monstrous accolade! Sad thing is, unless I am mistaken, in all those years of top level football, Wales never qualified for the World Cup, so Giggs never managed to be a part of the world cup! Although, after a career like his, I doubt he misses any sleep over that. 

Interesting side note, can you imagine what Brian Lara's batting record would have looked like if he had played for SA or Aus instead of the Windies. The Windies batting order was always collapsing around him, so he was very often not able to just settle down and play his game. Anyway, it appears I have drifted off the topic somewhat.   

Yeah old Giggs should have swallowed his pride and played for England as he was never going to get much change out of Wales

I say giggs has 2 more seasons as a starter left in him maybe a few more as a late sub! Also I can see why he chose Walse much like if I had to chose England or sa I would chose sa regardless of the sport just some passion showed by him if England had giggs they very well may have won a World Cup!

I dont think Giggs starts these days does he?

 Mozzie, Roger Miller at 40yrs played for Cameron in the 1991 Soccer World Cup! George Foreman was a heavy Weight world boxing Champion at 42yrs! The list goes on!

Pity the Welsh National Soccer Team is not doing so well and PLUS Giggs (like Liverpool's Ian Rush) was too proud to play for England!

Hi there Hakwa. may i suggest you concentrate entirely on rugby so I do not have to put you on the right track all the time.   

Seems your crusties are struggling?

Giggs was never eligible for the senior England football team. He only represented England at schoolboy level because he attended a school in England.

It's a complete myth that Giggs had to choose between representing England or Wales.

Am sure the Poms would have made a plan if he had been keen......hell they have taken enough of our sportsmen and slapped roses on their chests

Frank Bunce, Brad Thorn, Johan Ackermann...enough said

Frank Bunce, Brad Thorn, Johan Ackermann...enough said

Never rated Thorn and Ackerman was bloody useless when he returned. Hell who was the stupid coach who played him again?

@benno1 aka storminged,

lolz, hakwa has and always will be a blues man.

now u have "another" comment to add on ur list of things u know nothing about. LMAO, :oD