Wales rugby great Barry John has died, at the age of 79.
The former Wales and British and Irish Lions five-eighth died peacefully in hospital, his family announced on Sunday (Monday AEDT).
John, nicknamed ‘The King’ by New Zealand journalists after he inspired the Lions’ famous 1971 Test series victory in the den of the All Blacks, won 25 Wales caps between 1966 and 1972.
He also played in five Lions Tests on their 1968 and 1971 tours, before shocking the rugby world by retiring at the age of just 27.
“He was a loving dad to his 11 grandchildren and much-loved brother.”
John played his club rugby for Llanelli and then Cardiff, where he struck up a matchless half-back partnership with Gareth Edwards that went on to flourish for both Wales and the Lions.
The immense blow to Welsh rugby came just four weeks after another star of their golden era of the 1970s, fullback JPR Williams, also died.
John was arguably rugby union’s first superstar and a mercurial player whose wizardry gained comparisons with footballing genius George Best.
He was rugby royalty in anyone’s language. A miner’s son from Carmarthenshire, his international career might have lasted only six years before he announced his shock retirement, citing pressures of fame and expectation as he stepped down before his 28th birthday, but it was glorious while it lasted.
An imperious No.10, he had a seemingly effortless ability to beat defenders in a manner that often defied logic and gained him worldwide admiration.
Edwards once wrote of his halfback partner: “He had this marvellous easiness in the mind, reducing problems to their simplest form, backing his own talent all the time.
“One success on the field bred another and soon he gave off a cool superiority which spread to others in the side.”
Born in the village of Cefneithin to William and Vimy John, he was one of six children. All three of his brothers – Delville, Alan and Clive – played rugby.
John began his career at Llanelli, making a first-team debut against Moseley two days before his 19th birthday in 1964. Two years later, he was capped by Wales and in 1967 he moved to Cardiff and played alongside Edwards.
John scored 30 of the Lions’ 48 points across four Tests in New Zealand in 1971, and the flickering black-and-white TV pictures showcased him in all his glory as a player.
Then, he shocked rugby by calling it a day at a time when he was still the sport’s biggest name.
Wales’s fly-half Barry John. John is considered by many to be the greatest fly-half in the history of rugby, and came to be known as “the King”. (Photo by Universal/Corbis/VCG via Getty Images)
“I was the first rugby pop star, superstar, call it whatever you want,” John once recalled.
“I didn’t want to retire, but it was the circumstances. People didn’t understand how you had to go to work, how you had to be fit for international-level rugby.
“I was getting lethargic, tired. You can’t be like that on the international stage, especially at number 10.”
His legacy was one that most players could only dream of. Wales won three Five Nations titles, a grand slam and two triple crowns during his reign.
K.F.T.D.
Roar Rookie
Travel you wrote an article in 2022. I’ve just put a comment in there. Do you receive notification.
K.F.T.D.
Roar Rookie
Everyone’s last game, X-rays, bone surgeons, etc
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
When the Lions toured SA 1974 the general consensus was thank goodness no Barry John ( injured) . :happy: of course he got replaced by Phil Bennett ...someone we knew nothing about ....Sadly for us we were about to find out a bit about him too...
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
I Concur to superiority ken :stoked:
The Late News
Roar Rookie
If you say so Ken.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
I went from second row, to 5/8, to wing, to second row, to hospital.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Carter is too young to have birthdays.
K.F.T.D.
Roar Rookie
Wow!
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
I defeat you ..I went from hooker to centre .. :laughing:
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
Tormented the Kiwis ..Thats more than enough for me :stoked: ..Hey RIP ..A rugby legend for sure.
K.F.T.D.
Roar Rookie
So you didn’t reach Nirvana.
The Late News
Roar Rookie
Barry John was unbelievable! I saw him play twice. Precision, pace and perfection. Get Carter Gordon his videos for his birthday!
The Late News
Roar Rookie
Sorry mate...I only went from wing to openside flanker.
K.F.T.D.
Roar Rookie
Shouldn’t have sent that post. All these boyos were legends, when Wales was on top of the world, and at the forefront of running rugby. I think we would have played longer if possible. JPR at 50 is amazing.
K.F.T.D.
Roar Rookie
You are not truly great unless you go from wing to TIGHTHEAD PROP!
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
An excellent player, who under Carwyn James helped the combined nations team, the Lions to their first ever 4 test series win in Aotearoa ( 2-1, with the last test drawn at Eden Park). The Lions also won against their biggest ' thorn ' Otago ' who many a previous, Lion's team along with Auckland, had troublesome times. that 71 team had a record of playing 24 winning 22 losing one & a draw. their loss was at Lancaster Park to the AB's 22-12 As it was virtually most of the Lions squad reassembled for a winning South African tour in 74. Gareth Edwards ( taught by Chris Laidlaw in how to use that long pass, at Oxford University ) did help John, to show his impressive skill set. It was a team of many stars as in JPR, David Duckham, the mercurial CMH ( Mike) Gibson, who had four tours of Aotearoa, Willie John McBride plus many more. RIP Barry!
Thom
Roar Rookie
71 lions all legends. Biggest best tour of my lifetime. To watch the midweek games no live coverage crowds got bigger. Went to the brand new unfinished pukekohe stadium. Never seen so many people standing room only right round. Were just clay banks then. My parents used to take my brother and I to most of the Eden Park tests so saw them play twice.
scrum
Roar Rookie
From a great era of Welsh rugby. Succeeded by Phil Bennett another great and paired with Gareth Edwards who I consider the greatest half back of all time. And of course the flamboyant JPR who kept playing until his 50s ending up as a flanker in 3rd grade. That’s love of Rugby.