It’s a historical document, really, with all the changes to the law (and equipment). But what a wonderful Welsh side - how the present selectors would like to have that lot available for selection.
Amazing. Watchable rugby. Muddy fields add to the challenge. No one lifted weights in a gym, fitness was limited and everyone went back to work on Monday. Some money for the players wold have been good. Bring back simple rugby like this. Not the professional Pacific steroid rubbish that serves as faux rugby these days.
Amazing. Watchable rugby. Muddy fields add to the challenge. No one lifted weights in a gym, fitness was limited and everyone went back to work on Monday. Somemonehyt o the players wold have been good. Bring back simple rugby like this. Not the professional Pacific steroid rubbish that serves as faux rugby these days,
Brilliant .. just a brief example of how Welsh rugby was reactive with heads up rugby that was drilled into you from junior school rugby right through to senior level.. the ammount of times over and over every coach I had all through school level barked play whats in front of you..
This type of rugby shows that the Authorities have lost the point of the game. It is rough, it is uncultured and if this game were played under the pettifogging adherence to the Laws, it would never be so exciting and the game would last about 140 minutes.
That All Black tour of the UK, France, and Nth America 1972-73 lasted nearly 4 months with 32 matches played including 5 tests. I think it was the last time any major International side was to undertake such a long and arduous itinerary.
Some players of interest in that Wallaby side against East Wales. Fullback Russell Fairfax was a rugby star in Australia before going to rugby league with the Roosters afterwards, wing Owen Stephens was actually a KIwi who played one test for the All Blacks in 1968 which makes him unique playing tests for Aust as well, and the great John Hipwell at half back who played for Wallabies for nearly 14 years.
Fascinating to look at these videos , not least socio cultural changes made from then. Have to say my dad didn't like the grey drab very utilitarian look and feel of Wales then, hence his departure to Dorset !!. Seems to be scarcely changed from the 1950s as well .
I used to go to see London Welsh in the late 60s and early 70s up until 1971 when, after leaving school, our old boys club played in the afternoon and so watching first class rugby was limited to internationals and the Middlesex 7s. I'd play for the school in the morning, go home for lunch (via the pub) and then off to Old Deer Park or whichever south west London club they might be playing that I could travel to in time for kick off. They had a fabulous side then, led by John Dawes, including JPR, Gerald Davies, Mervyn Davies, John Taylor, Tony Gray, Tom Shanklin, Keith Hughes, etc, etc. If the opposition missed a penalty kick at goal, you knew JPR would switch with Gerald on the counter-attack. The crowd would gasp at his acceleration and side-step. Happy days.
no jumbotron, no wall-to-wall flashing LED commercials, no 3D turf visuals, no fireworks, no spinning logos zooming at you at every pause, no replay replay replays, no VAR, no 'walking advert' players, no ballyhoo, no hype.... just rugby.... thanks David for this.
Born in S. Wales in 1947, was privileged to see the best Welsh players when I grew up, in Cardiff and elsewhere. Though living elsewhere, I've never lost the memories of those fantastic Welsh rugby players.
I've stumbled across this and noticed that the channel is David Turner's. My cousin is David Turner from Ebbw vale/Brynmawr and he died quite young about 6 or 7 years ago. He was rugby mad and I've noticed the last upload was 7 years ago. I feel it must be him but interested to know if anyone knows otherwise?
he was my dad,s brother inlaw colin proberthis brother jimmy was my aunty joan.s husband and roger brother her brother in law there was another 4 brother ,s all proberts vincent ronald john and my dad colin i was born n pontypool in 1952 my name is gloria joan bird nee probert
Fun to watch some old legends. When you hear a pack described as big at 15 stone average a man, it makes you realise how much smaller players were back then. They’d get mullered by modern professional teams
