John Findlay Posted January 8 Share Posted January 8 Probably the finest Rugby Union full back to play the game in the United Kingdom has sadly died. JPR Williams of Wales and the Lions. What a player he was. RIP JPR. One of the greatest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dawnrazor Posted January 8 Share Posted January 8 1 minute ago, John Findlay said: Probably the finest Rugby Union full back to play the game in the United Kingdom has sadly died. JPR Williams of Wales and the Lions. What a player he was. RIP JPR. One of the greatest. Sad news, a real iconic player. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Dan Posted January 8 Share Posted January 8 2024 off to a bad start! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Goalscoring Knee Posted January 8 Share Posted January 8 A great, great player. And another very tough man. Got trampled by a scummy All Black when playing for Bridgend. Went off, had 30 stitches put in, came back on. Don't make 'em like that anymore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SwindonJambo Posted January 8 Share Posted January 8 Also a member of the Royal College of Surgeons and a fine orthopedic surgeon. RIP Dr JPR. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trotter Posted January 8 Share Posted January 8 Franz Beckenbauer as well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
132goals1958 Posted January 8 Share Posted January 8 An iconic figure. Still visualise him running through opponents with socks at his ankles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morgan Posted January 8 Share Posted January 8 FFS. They are dropping like flies. RIP, JPR. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leginten Posted January 8 Share Posted January 8 17 minutes ago, trotter said: Franz Beckenbauer as well A sad day. JPR was a magnificent rugby player. Absolutely fearless. He was one of the greatest players in a team so good that it was universally admired, regardless of national allegiance. I just hate it when these legends that were such a big part of my youth keep dropping like flies. Today’s losses were just in their seventies, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Percival King Posted January 8 Share Posted January 8 Huge sideburns and socks round ankles, one of the most memorable images from the 70s. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ulysses Posted January 8 Share Posted January 8 A stunning passage of play from a legendary match between the Barbarians and the All Blacks in 1973. Bear in mind that this is regarded as only the second-best try scored in that game. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SwindonJambo Posted January 9 Share Posted January 9 2 hours ago, Ulysses said: A stunning passage of play from a legendary match between the Barbarians and the All Blacks in 1973. Bear in mind that this is regarded as only the second-best try scored in that game. Stunning indeed. You seldom see play like that in the modern game. It seems to be mostly just big beefcakes knocking shit out of each other. Dr JPR himself said that he's glad he had his playing time when he did, even though obviously still amateur back then. http://www.village-directory.co.uk/february_2017/six-nations.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
periodictabledancer Posted January 9 Share Posted January 9 3 hours ago, John Findlay said: Probably the finest Rugby Union full back to play the game in the United Kingdom has sadly died. JPR Williams of Wales and the Lions. What a player he was. RIP JPR. One of the greatest. Amen. I loved Barry John & JPR. It's almost impossible to measure their talent now, so much time had passed. JPR : a true legend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brownkg Posted January 9 Share Posted January 9 2 hours ago, leginten said: A sad day. JPR was a magnificent rugby player. Absolutely fearless. He was one of the greatest players in a team so good that it was universally admired, regardless of national allegiance. I just hate it when these legends that were such a big part of my youth keep dropping like flies. Today’s losses were just in their seventies, too. What a rotten day to lose two such great figures and the bit in bold brings the cold sweat out in me how close to that age I am getting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ulysses Posted January 9 Share Posted January 9 56 minutes ago, SwindonJambo said: Stunning indeed. You seldom see play like that in the modern game. It seems to be mostly just big beefcakes knocking shit out of each other. Dr JPR himself said that he's glad he had his playing time when he did, even though obviously still amateur back then. http://www.village-directory.co.uk/february_2017/six-nations.htm Good interview. Rugby union was much more expansive then than now, and players had more space. When it was stodgy it could be awful, but when it was good it was magic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joondalupjambo Posted January 9 Share Posted January 9 If I was a sporting legend I would be worried today as things always happen in three's. JPR, Franz and........ 👀 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tazio Posted January 9 Share Posted January 9 2 hours ago, joondalupjambo said: If I was a sporting legend I would be worried today as things always happen in three's. JPR, Franz and........ 👀 He was the third one. Mario Zagallo first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SwindonJambo Posted January 9 Share Posted January 9 2 hours ago, Tazio said: He was the third one. Mario Zagallo first. At least Zagallo got to 92. The other 2 much younger with Dr JPR a bit short changed at 74. It was bacterial meningitis which got him, a horrid illness than can take down otherwise healthy people in short order. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I P Knightley Posted January 9 Share Posted January 9 15 hours ago, SwindonJambo said: Also a member of the Royal College of Surgeons and a fine orthopedic surgeon. RIP Dr JPR. A pal had his tonsils taken out by JPR in '78. I started going to the internationals in '73 when Wales had JPR whilst our full-back hero was Andy Irvine. We weren't supposed to like the opposition but you couldn't help but admire JPR (and Phil Bennett), with his massive mutton chops and the way his hair flowed as he pulled of outrageous sidesteps at speed (see the Baa-baa's video clip). I'm trying to think of other sports personalities known only by their initials. Would KJ-T count? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joondalupjambo Posted January 9 Share Posted January 9 7 hours ago, Tazio said: He was the third one. Mario Zagallo first. Aye forgot about him so all other legends stand down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SwindonJambo Posted January 10 Share Posted January 10 20 hours ago, I P Knightley said: A pal had his tonsils taken out by JPR in '78. I started going to the internationals in '73 when Wales had JPR whilst our full-back hero was Andy Irvine. We weren't supposed to like the opposition but you couldn't help but admire JPR (and Phil Bennett), with his massive mutton chops and the way his hair flowed as he pulled of outrageous sidesteps at speed (see the Baa-baa's video clip). I'm trying to think of other sports personalities known only by their initials. Would KJ-T count? I'm 56 so only caught the later end of JPR's career. I've always believed that the true sporting greats are those as much admired by opponents as supporters and that certainly applies to all 3 of 2024's big early losses. I noticed on old commentaries of JPR's early career he was referred to as John Williams. I expect he became JPR to distinguish him from his Wales team mate, also John Williams, later known as JJ Williams. Yes, I think KJ-T just about counts, even though I had to google her! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.