RIP Phil Bennett. The greatest fly half of all time! This English fan grew up seeing you make fools of so many England XVs! Indeed, you fooled so many. Fleet of foot and possessed of a wonderful rugby brain, you made rugby the wonderful game it is. And throughout, you were always so modest and understated. A remarkable human being. Thank you for all the memories - that try for the Barbarians, which you began with such scintillating nerve, panache and genius and which was finished off by the great Gareth Edwards shall go down in history as the finest try ever. Speed you well, Mr Bennett. Thank you.
Sad news this evening. Best wishes to Phil's family. I hope it will be some comfort to them to know how much affection we all have for his brilliant talent and his natural humility. Surely an example to everyone. RIP Benny
I'm an Englishman but I witnessed Phil Bennett play the great game and he was absolutely magnificent! He nobley represented his country and the British and Irish Lions. He was a humble, charming man who played the game with panache and style! God bless you Phil !⚘⚘🙏🙏🏴🏴
The greatest flyhalf I ever saw! Killer sidestep off both feet, a fast jinking runner with great hands. Paired with Edwards he became an unstoppable force. RIP Phil, we won't see your like ever again!
To have grown up in the '70's and to be able to watch Phil and the other legends of Wales play their glorious brand of rugby , was indeed a privilege. What a time it was to be alive and......to be Welsh.
Saturday afternoon, Millwall are playing away and I can’t get to the match. There’s nothing much of sporting interest going on in London that appeals to me so I have a look at “Grandstand” to see what’s on. Someone is talking about the upcoming Rugby match between the Barbarians and the All Blacks. Rugby!! bloody hell not rugby, isn’t there anything else on the télé? In the background the spectators are singing away and it all sounds very festive. OK there’s nothing else on…I’ll give it a chance. All I knew about rugby is that the ball has to be passed backwards and that’s about all. The next 80 minutes turned out to be probably the most enjoyable team game of any sport that I ever saw….and I didn’t even understand the rules! It was the first two minutes that got me hooked and it was because of Phil Bennet who initiated what is arguably the greatest try ever scored That game introduced me to rugby and I have been a fan ever since. Thank you Phil.
When you watch the try he scored for Wales versus Ireland in 1976, on scoring he was given a pat of appreciation by the Irish outside half Barry McGann, one player acknowledging the skill of another, that says it all really. Wonderful player to watch. Rest in peace. 🙏
RIP Phil and my condolences to those closest to you. A legend of the game here in Wales and this is sad news for the rugby community. I had the pleasure of meeting you about 15 years ago and you were an absolute gentleman ❤
As an Englishman it almost pains me to say this but there were none better then or since. Saw him live at the old Cardiff Arms Park... what a player. RIP.
I remember watching the 5 nations in the 70s with my Dad and being completely mesmerised by him. A magician. My condolences to his family. Hope it helps that he brought such utter joy to us all.
About the only player who could send his hips and legs in one direction, whilst his upper body points in the other direction - all at speed..... No wonder opponents could barely lay a hand on him..... Cannon of a right foot to boot (pun intended). Absolute gent too. Condolences to the family and friends of Phil Bennett. RIP.
One thing that is hard to capture on clips like this is the fact that he played like this, week in, week-out, at club level, despite being targetted by opposition sides. The archetypal example was the famous Llanelli win over the All Blacks touring side in 1972. The ABs attempted to brutalise the Scarlets, yet Bennett rose above it all and gave a strategic masterclass
One of the greatest players ever.............and, without a doubt, scored the best ever try against my beloved All Blacks. He was pure class, old school and a true gentleman of our wonderful game. He will be always remembered and never forgotten by all of New Zealand rugby players and rugby fans alike. Rest in peace Phil, you will always be in our hearts with fond memories............ Much Aroha (love and respect) to his family and the passionate people of Wales. Bug Jim New Zealand x
Nice to hear that from new Zealand in sure Phil would appreciate it. He was very down after the 1977 new Zealand tour. I think the mantle of captain did not sit well on him. He needed a free role on that tour with a captain like Terry Cobnor. He was homesick too. Had Mervin Davies not had to retire new Zealand would have seen the best of Phil. I quiet family man but what a talent
The best ever flyhalf? Some say it is Dan Carter, but I think he’s simply the most complete rugby player ever; Bennett, for me, defines what a flyhalf is supposed to be and is the measure against which all others are judged, including Dan Carter, whom I think came closest to matching the late, great Welsh legend.
@@paulrichards6894 That’s what I’m saying - although I still think DC was the more complete player in that he had all the rugby skills and no shortage of athletic talent, Bennett (and Barry John with him) epitomise flyhalf play in my mind, and by comparison, were better flyhalves than rugby players (if that makes any sense to you?).
@@paulrichards6894 Aye, well, Rugby did used to be a game for all sizes. Professionalism has largely killed that phenomenon: flyhalves nowadays need to be able to tackle like Wilkinson or else the general public seems to think they’re no good. Witness George Ford: best tackle completion rates on the field throughout the season, but such a pipsqueak he gets dragged backwards by larger players, such that one wonders if players of his build might be best to specialise as scrumhalves instead.
What three quarters the Welsh produced back in the 1970s.and what an outside half to conduct them!Phil Bennett was a mercurial genius whose vision, awareness, tactical acumen and sheer force of will made him an outstanding outside half! He had everything and remained grounded and level headed In everything he undertook. This English rugby fan witnessed his genius and I will be forever grateful I did! This is a very sad say for rugby union football! Phil Bennett R.I.P. 🙏🙏⚘⚘
Poetry in motion. He had huge boots to fill, & fill them he did. As a Scotland fan I could only admire his genius and artistry. Condolences to his family, but know how highly regarded he is still.
From an era when Rugby WAS Rugby ...played by 'normal' people who weren't bulked up Hookers hooked, fly halves danced. You don't see those skills anymore - it's all about power nowadays and, in my opinion, Rugby is just not the same. Wales produced many many magnificent players and it's a sheer joy to watch Bennett. Great video.
I'm not a huge rugby fan but there are a few Welsh names which really stuck in my mind from the 70's and they were Gareth Edwards, JPR Williams, JJ Williams and Phil Bennett. I remember how good all of those guys were and particularly Phil with his almost lightning fast acceleration. Wales has lost one of its favourite rugby sons. RIP
Another legend gone. Phil Bennett captained the 1977 Lions tour of New Zealand - they were here for three months and played twenty-five games. My father and I decided that we would see as many of the games in the North Island as we could get to and wound up seeing six. Bennett played in most of them and we were amazed at his skills - he was on another level entirely. After he retired from playing, All Black teams touring Great Britain would make a point of visiting him when they were in Wales. Footnote: I miss the game as it was played in those days. With the enormous changes since Rugby went professional, the game has evolved out of all recognition and I can hardly bear to watch it now.
You're right about Phil and, sadly, you're right about the way the game has gone. The magic the little guys like Bennett and John provided has been squeezed out.
A magician/wizard/athlete/sportsman/rapier but always a gentleman. I saw him give a great speech a few years ago. He was a tiny guy which just made me admire him more. Played the game in its best era and for me will remain in the top One of running fly halfs
Legend , the greatest number 10 ever , RIP Phil your name will live on forever and your tries will be watched over and over again 🏴🏴🏴🏴🏴🏴
Rest In Peace Phil... Always will remember watching you practice in Felinfoel Park when I was a kid.. My childhood hero.. Always respected by everyone and rightly so..
Just makes me think of Saturdays and Sundays rugby special, watching great games with my dad back in the day. Just a outstanding player in just a fantastic time .
After Barry John, it was a case of where do Wales go from here? Well, along came this lad, and they went on with interest. I only wish I could discover the whereabouts of the "Welsh Fly Half " factory; I would make a fortune! (I have a feeling it is somewhere in Snowdonia!) I have to say here that I am an Englishman, who is old enough to remember Phil Bennett in his prime. I too am shocked and saddened at his passing.
Great fly half. Not only a great side stepper, runner, kicker he was also top drawer at what they call game management these days. A great leader of a 3/4 line. Sad loss.
@@danieldarcy7862 Maybe they should consider reduction to 11 a side? Or maybe it's me the one who should consider watching rugby sevens, even though 7 goes too far imho....
That was the attraction of rugby back then, watching talented players like Bennett, Duckham, Gibson and McGeechan running with the ball into space and beating men with pace and footwork. Today's rugby is just a borefest of guys ploughing into each other and setting up countless phases.
I thought “great, we’ve got rid of Barry John, now we can win” and along comes Phil Bennett. His side steps are there for all to see but it’s also his pace that made those openings. It’s very sad that PB has gone at a relatively young age but, unfortunately, we all die at some point. The legacy that PB left behind will still be there long after mere mortals like me are forgotten
What an incredible player! Poetry in morion. Had the pleasure of meeting him about 20 years ago in a bar in Australia - a true gentleman. RIP Benny and thank you.
So happy I’m from Wales, the history in rugby, the legends, the strength, speed, agility, can’t wait for us to come back. World had better prepare for our next golden age
I remember him running down an Australian number 15, for his Llanelli Scarlets at Stradey great pace and tackle. Australia came back at end, game ended in a draw, 25 or 22 all, can't quite remember. All the best, Phil. 😐
As another Englishman I’d have to agree re Bennett (just cos I’ve not seen enough of Watkins) and I’d say that I’d rather have 1 Phil Bennett than 10 Owen Farrells. What a player! As someone whose introduction to rugby was a fair bit down to a BBC “101 Greatest Tries” VHS video I loved those Wales and Lions players. Also, I saw JJ Williams in there. RIP fella
I still have fond memories of the great Welsh teams of the 60s and 70s. Truly a golden era with Phil Bennett, Barry John, Garth Edwards, Gerald Davies, JPR, JJ and so many others. So sad to hear that Phil has gone.
