Wales rugby great Barry John has died aged 79. The former Wales and British and Irish Lions man died peacefully in hospital, his family announced.
John was nicknamed “The King” by New Zealand journalists after leading the Lions to their famous Test series victory over the All Blacks in 1971. He made 25 appearances for Wales between 1966 and 1972, during which time he won three Five Nations titles, a Grand Slam and two Trebles. His performance on the international stage.
A statement from John’s family read: “Barry John passed away peacefully today at University Hospital of Wales, surrounded by his beloved wife and four children. He was a loving figure to his 11 grandchildren. father and a beloved brother.”
He was born in the village of Chevnesing to William and Vimy John, one of six children. His three brothers – Delville, Alan and Clive – all played rugby.
John began his career at Llanelli, making his first-team debut against Mosley in 1964, two days before his 19th birthday. Two years later he represented Wales and in 1967 he moved to Cardiff, where his partnership with Sir Gareth Edwards soon began to flourish.
The Lions subsequently toured in 1968 and 1971, the latter being the only time New Zealand lost a Test series to the Lions.
John scored 30 of the Lions’ 48 points in four Tests, with the flickering black-and-white TV footage showing him in all his glory as a player, who, like Manchester United star Best, often performed as if from another world. a planet.
Admiration naturally followed him – he was ranked third in the 1971 BBC Sports Personality of the Year, behind winner Princess Anne and runner-up Best – and joined household names such as Bobby Moore, Jackie Stewart, Joe Participated in the company’s “Superstar” program. Bugner and Tony Jacklin.
John then announced his decision at the age of 27, after 25 caps for Wales and five Test matches for the Lions during his Wales career. The biggest names in the sport.
John partnered Edwards in 23 Wales internationals, as well as all five Lions Test matches – one against South Africa and four against New Zealand. JPR Williams, another star defender from Wales’ golden era of rugby, died four weeks ago.
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Jonathan Davies, one of the most famous Welsh players of the 1980s and 1990s, paid tribute to John on the X: “RIP Barry – another of my heroes has sadly passed away”.
John lived in Cardiff and is survived by his wife Janet and children Catherine, Lucy, Anna and David.
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