BARE KNUCKLES
By Michael Blucher
The untold stories of one of Australia’s most successful and colourful rugby coaches*
* Profits from the sale of the book are going to the Perry Cross Foundation.
John “Knuckles” Connolly has lived nothing if not a “colourful” life.
The nickname he has carried for more than 50 years was unquestionably fitting, even if later in life, his demeanour bears no resemblance to his once forceful ways.
Without a plan to do so, through the 1990s, Connolly rose from passionate club coach to consummate rugby professional, developing into one of the game’s sharpest minds, keenly sought after by top level teams and clubs from around the world. By little coincidence, his involvement in Queensland (1989-2000) and Australian Rugby (2006-2007) coincided with many of the local game’s finest moments and seasons.
While in charge of the Queensland Reds, he almost 75% of games over 12 seasons, along the way, securing the Super 6 title in 1992, winning back to back Super 10 titles in 1994-94, and taking out the Super 12 minor premiership in 1996 and 1999.
His two years at the helm of the Wallabies realised a winning percentage of 64% (25 tests, 16 wins, 8 losses and a draw against Wales in Cardiff in 2006) while he also enjoyed widespread success coaching in Ireland, France, Wales and England.
As a stark reminder that we can never be sure what’s waiting around the corner, in August 2021, a freak accident rendered John Connolly a quadriplegic. He now lives in need of permanent care and around the clock support.
Rather than wallow in self pity, Connolly is channelling his efforts into supporting those in similar circumstances, without the cushion of support he enjoys.
“Bare Knuckles” is a candid account of formidable character who’s living proof that it’s much better to be interesting than it is to be perfect.
John Connolly is one of a kind – a great coach, a great man, and a great friend. His story is raw, moving, funny and real. A great read!“
Bare Knuckles is a candid account of formidable character who’s living proof that it’s much better to be interesting than it is to be perfect.
In the words of John Connolly…
Over the years, quite a few people have encouraged me to write a book, my time in rugby of course being the major focus.
After my accident in August 2021, there was new incentive to put “pen to paper”. With fresh knowledge and experience, I saw an opportunity to raise awareness of just how stretched our medical system is, especially in the treatment of spinal injuries.
At another level, a book project would allow me to contribute in a small way financially to the Queensland-based Perry Cross Foundation, and the incredibly important work they do in the sphere of spinal injury research.
I would encourage everybody at one point in their life to go for a walk through the spinal unit of a hospital – they’d realise just how badly funding is needed for research and nursing care.
“You look back at the some of the things you’ve done, and the best you can do is shake your head in disbelief – your actions are the polar opposite of any advice you’d offer your own children. But what’s the point of harbouring regret? They were different times – you made your decisions based on the information you had at the time. As Max Guazzini, the owner of Stade Francais used to say, “C’est la vie”. Such is life.”
“Comparatively speaking, I’m one of the lucky ones – the age at which I had my accident, the support networks that I have available, and the financial wherewithal I have to pay for ongoing care – those factors combined make me very fortunate.
The real tragedy in the spinal injury space is the vibrant young lives that are upended – changed forever by a split second freak occurrence. Seeing 15 and 16 year-old kids lying in hospital beds, trying to come to terms with what’s ahead of them – that’s what breaks your heart.”
Beneficiary – The Perry Cross Foundation
I’ve long admired Perry Cross – over many years, I’ve followed his journey with interest. Nor is it lost on me that Perry suffered his severe spinal injury while playing rugby – a representative trial match at Ballymore in 1994. I remember hearing about it just hours after it had happened. He was a promising young second rower – it was all so close to home.
Since that fateful day, the courage with which Perry has conducted himself has been nothing short inspirational. I couldn’t think of a more worthwhile and relevant beneficiary of the proceeds of this book.
That’s the only financial imperative of this project – tipping a few dollars into the pot of the Perry Cross Foundation – I’m grateful to anybody and everybody who helps me achieve that objective.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Michael Blucher
Michael Blucher is a Brisbane based author who has now written 20 books, many of them private biographies.
His first published work was “Perfect Union”, the parallel lives of Wallaby centres Tim Horan and Jason Little (Pan MacMillan), released in1995, in the peak of John Connolly’s reign with the Queensland Reds.
He has known “Knuckles” for more than 40 years, working closely with him (and Tim Horan and Jason Little) in his role as Media and PR director of Queensland Rugby. He witnessed first hand many of the key stories and colourful moments featured in the book.
He says his subject’s long standing reputation as a Brothers club hardman was very well earned, but expects readers to be pleasantly surprised by what they didn’t know, specifically, all the different dimensions Connolly has developed over his long and very successful coaching career.
Acknowledgements
Every spinal injury, regardless of how serious, comes with a whole raft of consequences. The life of the individual obviously changes drastically, but so too does the lot of the victim’s immediate family and close friends. Over the past three and half years, so many people have provided me with incredible support, starting with the under resourced, over worked medical staff at the PA hospital – the doctors, nurses, physios and OTs who do an amazing job, often under the most trying of circumstances.
My wife Joanne, and sons JP, James and Jesse – they have been incredible, as have my brother Shane, my best mate Geoff “Surfer” Lynch. Not a day goes by without some sacrifice being made by that tightly knit group.
I also want to thank Michael Blucher whom l’ve regarded as a close friend for 40 plus years. He’s sat with me patiently for days, even weeks on end, collecting the stories and collating my thoughts, then presenting them in a digestible and sequential fashion. I couldn’t think of anybody better suited to untangling the knot!
John Connolly – 2025