Saturday, April 1, 2023
No Result
View All Result
Afric Info
  • News
    • Cameroon
    • Egypt
    • Ethiopia
    • Ivory-Coast
    • Ghana
    • Kenya
    • Nigeria
    • South Africa
    • Sudan
    • Tanzania
    • Uganda
    • Zimbabwe
  • Health
  • Sports
  • Travel
  • News
    • Cameroon
    • Egypt
    • Ethiopia
    • Ivory-Coast
    • Ghana
    • Kenya
    • Nigeria
    • South Africa
    • Sudan
    • Tanzania
    • Uganda
    • Zimbabwe
  • Health
  • Sports
  • Travel
No Result
View All Result
Afric Info
No Result
View All Result
HomeSports

Slammed: The Seventies – Five things we learned from Wales documentary

January 25, 2023
inSports
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter


They were a trailblazing group of young players that would change rugby forever.

The Wales team of the 1970s have long been part of rugby folklore.

But what few people remember is just what it took to achieve sporting immortality.

With the help of never-seen-before footage and digitally-remastered scenes, a BBC documentary has charted the roots of that success.

Here are five things we learned from Slammed: The Seventies, which kicks off with the seeds of a rugby revolution.

The unthinkable

Ray Williams (second on right) introduced the concept of coaching into Welsh rugby – to much scepticism

There was a time – before player contracts, agents and image right – when rugby union was entirely amateur.

As part of that code, national teams were strictly forbidden from even meeting more than 48 hours before a Test match.

In the documentary we even witness a faintly ridiculous scene of the Wales team doing press-ups in the Twickenham car park before a match.

However there was a general suspicion the likes of New Zealand and South Africa were ignoring this rule so, in response, Wales took a radical step.

They appointed the world’s first national coaching organiser Ray Williams who, in turn, convinced the Welsh Rugby Union to appoint its first national coach – former British Lions number eight David Nash.

Even the players were dubious.

“Many people were against it. They didn’t even like the word coaching and in some cases, unions refused to use it,” said Gerald Davies.

The gamble

Gareth Edwards
The selection of teenager Gareth Edwards was seen as a desperate “gamble” by Wales

After losing their opening two games of the 1967 Five Nations, Wales took a gamble on a promising but “erratic” 19-year-old scrum-half.

Gareth Edwards was still a trainee teacher and, as one newspaper reported, “not ready for the big time”.

Nervous ahead of his international debut in Paris, the baby-faced Edwards asked his would-be half-back partner David Watkins for a practice session.

However the pair were turned away from the Arms Park by a fastidious groundsman who would not even lend the pair a ball.

“But I’m playing for Wales on Saturday!” pleaded Edwards.

“With that, Dai tied his jacket into a ball and we used that. So the first pass I ever threw Dai Watkins, my childhood hero, in preparation for my international debut was a rolled up coat from two yards away.”

Wales lost 20-14… but years later Edwards would be voted the greatest player of all time

The inspiration

Clive Rowlands
Clive Rowlands brought new training ideas – but above all else, passion

With many still scoffing at the idea of a national coach after a wooden spoon, Wales needed a lift and Clive Rowlands was just the man.

He had captained Wales to a Triple Crown three years earlier and the former teacher brought a new ethos towards training and preparation, including sessions on Aberavon beach.

Suddenly this young group of players got fitter, faster and had time to gel.

But it was Rowlands’ unbridled passion that would inspire most of all.

“Clive wasn’t a skills coach. The word he used most was ‘calon’ – everything was about heart,” said former centre John Taylor.

“In the dressing room he would ask: ‘What are we going to do?’ And we would all shout back… WIN!”

In the next seven years under Rowlands, Wales won three championship titles, including a Grand Slam in 1971, and shared the title twice more.

The pressure

Barry John (L) and Gareth Edwards
Barry John (L) and Gareth Edwards were idolised but were in the firing line if Wales ever lost

Believe it or not, there was a time when there were widespread calls for Barry John and Gareth Edwards to be dropped.

Humiliation in New Zealand followed by a heavy loss in Dublin in 1970 sparked a furious backlash from fans and pundits. Even their most famous players were not immune to stinging attacks.

“Do you think there wasn’t pressure back then?” exclaimed Edwards.

“It was exciting but there was expectation. You’re always expected to be at your very best. Don’t let [people] down.

“In Wales, if you don’t win, you’re in trouble and we weren’t beyond reproach.”

Edwards was stripped of the captaincy.

The revenge

Carwyn James speaking to British Lions
Wales’ stars knew they had to win in New Zealand to be regarded the best

Wales roared back to form and swept aside all before them in the 1971 championship with John scoring the try that clinched a Grand Slam in Paris.

But there remained a thorn in their side. The memory of two hammerings at the hands of the All Blacks two years earlier still hurt.

“We had been put firmly in our place in ’69 in New Zealand,” said Taylor.

“There was expectation after [the slam] but we hadn’t proved ourselves in the southern hemisphere. Without doing that, we were only top of the second division.”

Some 13 Welshmen were selected for the British & Irish Lions tour to New Zealand that summer.

It would prove to be an era-defining series.

You can watch the first part of Slammed: The Seventies on BBC One Wales at 20:00 GMT on Wednesday or on demand on BBC iPlayer.

ADVERTISEMENT



Source link : https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiMGh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmJiYy5jby51ay9zcG9ydC9ydWdieS11bmlvbi82NDM3NTQ5NNIBMmh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmJiYy5jb20vc3BvcnQvcnVnYnktdW5pb24vNjQzNzU0OTQuYW1w?oc=5

Author :

Publish date : 2023-01-25 06:09:55

Tags:sport
Previous Post

Why I declined Chatham House invitation –  SDP presidential candidate 

Next Post

On this day in 2013: Wilfried Zaha agrees £10million move to Manchester United

Last News

Accra’s Plan on a Debt-free Life

Accra’s Plan on a Debt-free Life

6 mins ago
Eskom COO job to be scrapped after Oberholzer retires – News24

Cricket: Nigeria win third game against Ghana – Punch Newspapers

26 mins ago
Institutional Investor-Public Partnerships

Institutional Investor-Public Partnerships

29 mins ago
Eskom COO job to be scrapped after Oberholzer retires – News24

I’m More Focused On Nice –Pepe – Complete Sports

32 mins ago
Eskom COO job to be scrapped after Oberholzer retires – News24

Ghana Parliament pass three new taxes despite opposition from citizens – BBC

42 mins ago
UN Water Summit

UN Water Summit

51 mins ago
Eskom COO job to be scrapped after Oberholzer retires – News24

Marriage, divorce and death in South Africa – why changing a will is critical – BusinessTech

1 hour ago
Eskom COO job to be scrapped after Oberholzer retires – News24

UNHCR considers mitigation of floods’ negative impact on refugees … – Sudan Tribune

1 hour ago

Categories

No Result
View All Result
  • Africa News

© 2022 AFRICC.info.

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.
Go to mobile version

Slammed: The Seventies – Five things we learned from Wales documentaryhttps://v46.org  https://www.lesjardinsdechampfleury.com/  https://www.100-chaussures.com  https://www.lingedelitpascher.com/  https://www.portalcamping.com/  
Ida Plus – Baiser de licorne 3 kg – Friandises pour chevaux – Avec vitamines et minéraux – Pomme, banane, carotte et… * Thoquino Cachaca Vieillie 2 ans 70 cl * Juventus v Verona Match Preview and Scouting *  *-*sourcing map Nonslip Poignée 100mm Long T25 Torx Point Magnétique Pointe Tournevis * Pierre Gimonnet Et Fils – Champagne Pierre Gimonnet Brut Blanc De Blancs Magnum 1.5L * KERBL 299720 MuscaBlock Spray Anti-Mouches pour Cheval 500 ml *  -*-https://www.lejardin-adlibitum.fr  https://www.7a7.biz  https://www.marionnettes-a-mains.com/  https://follement-bijoux.com  https://dedalusweb.net  https://ventilateurdeplafond.org  https://le-bon-ski.com  https://www.v46.org/  Slammed: The Seventies – Five things we learned from Wales documentary*Slammed: The Seventies – Five things we learned from Wales documentary