Now to the forward pack we move for our favourite overseas rugby team.
We have a brilliant backline with Gareth Edwards, Barry John, Danie Gerber, Philippe Sella, Gerald Davies, David Duckham and JPR Williams. For such a brilliant backline we need a number 8 to distribute ball to them in an unpressured way. A player to control the ball at the back of the scrum, secure possession from the back of the lineout, be a strong defender and an expert mauler.
Back in 2013 Roar expert Harry Jones wrote an article declaring that the number 8 is the only player that could play in all positions from fullback to hooker. They must be an adept ball handler, athletic, an attacking threat, control possession and in the case of Zinzan Brooke, maybe even drop kick the odd goal!
Was Mervyn Davies the forerunner of tall, athletic number 8s who not only defended well but were also offensively strong? Yes, my pick is Mervyn Davies the iconic Welsh player, with opposition from South African Morne du Plessis, gaining selection in our team.
In the golden era of Welsh and British Lions rugby, any player who was as dominant as Davies against New Zealand and South Africa must be regarded as one of the greatest number 8s of all time. In 2002 a poll of Welsh rugby fans declared Davies to be the greatest ever Welsh captain and greatest ever Welsh Number 8. Colin Meads, who needs no introduction, said Davies was “the one player who probably had the biggest impact on that 1971 Lions vs All Blacks Test series.”
He stood 6ft 4 inches tall, was rangy and had a memorable appearance of a thick white headband, mop of black hair and a gaucho style moustache which made him look more threatening than he was. It only took him six first-class matches before being capped for Wales, but amusingly prior to his debut for London Welsh, a selector said, “there’s a guy playing No 8 for the seconds. He’s not much good, but he’ll guarantee you some ball at the back of the line-out.”
Known as “Merv the Swerve” for his deceptive running style, Davies accumulated 38 caps for Wales, 8 for the British Lions and was the unsung hero amongst the glitterati of the once in a lifetime Welsh backline. The assembly of such brilliant players was described by Davies as a “fluke”, but these players had physical and mental skills and commitment that could well be emulated by today’s players. The camaraderie was just as important as the financial incentive of today.
Mervyn Davies pictured in 1971. (Photo by Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Thomas Mervyn Davies OBE was born in Swansea Wales 1946 and passed away in 2012. He attended Penlan County School and was selected for Wales in 1969 versus Scotland. He won two Grand Slams with Wales and captained the side in 1975. His gangly build lacked the muscle-bound nature of today’s player. He cantered around the field rather than galloped, but still ate up the ground. His rugby instincts helped him at the breakdown and his intelligence made him aware of try scoring opportunities for himself and others. Davies had an affable demeanour in appearance and outlook.
“People thought he was aloof, but he was shy,” quoted friend Baden Evans. He was a quiet and unassuming leader, was a good talker and listener and made new players feel welcome and part of the team.
Mervyn Davies played on both Lions tours to New Zealand in 1971 and South Africa in 1974, playing all eight Tests. Willie John McBride said he was “even better on the 74-tour compared to 71. Davies was revered in both countries as if he was one of their own. “You could totally rely on him, he was totally uncompromising,” said Lions skipper John Dawes.
He had been asked to lead the Lions on tour to New Zealand in 1977, but tragically his career was cut short by a brain haemorrhage suffered while playing for Swansea in 1976 at age twenty-nine. He had been running in open play when he collapsed and was fortunate doctors and medical teams attended the stadium. Davies said, “he would not have survived it if it had happened on the golf course.” He spent time in a coma and several months in hospital where he had to learn to walk again and he never played again. He showed great determination in rebuilding his life and after retiring worked as a sales rep, then rugby coach and journalist and was in demand as an after-dinner speaker.
Mervyn Davies smoked and in 2011 he was diagnosed with lung cancer, he died four months later aged 65 and was survived by his second wife Jeni and his three stepchildren and by his two children from his first marriage.
He was probably one of the first players picked for the Welsh and Lions teams such was the high regard he was held in. “Mervyn himself summed up what it meant to play for them when he compared the buzz better than anything a drug could induce, and it lasted longer”-walesonline.
Mervyn Davies, an unassuming giant of Wales and Lions rugby who had attributes that were copied by number 8s to follow and who established himself as a true legend of world rugby.
He joins our favourite overseas team.
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