The Sixties Fact File
Wales – Played 48, Won 20, Drew 6, Lost 22
47.9% success rate
Triple Crowns in 1965 and 1969
Outright Championship wins in 1965, 1966, 1969
Beat Australia in 1969 (19-16)
Most appearances in decade – Brian Price (Newport) 32
Most tries in decade – Dewi Bebb (Swansea) 10
Most points in decade – Keith Jarrett (Newport) 73
Most appearances as captain – Clive Rowlands (Pontypool) 13
Most wins by a player in the decade – Brian Price (Newport) 14
Sixties Nominess
Back Nominees – Clive Rowlands, Maurice Richards, Dai Watkins, Dewi Bebb (d), D Ken Jones.
Forward Nominees – Brian Price, Alun Pask (d), Denzil Williams, Delme Thomas, Dai Morris.
Backs
DEWI BEBB
A magnificent finisher, he ended his Wales Test career with 11 tries in 34 games on the wing. He also toured twice with the Lions, scoring 16 tries in all for the tourists, including one in eight Tests in South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. Scored the winning try against England on his debut in 1959 after only five first-class matches and was the best wing in the UK in his prime.
D KEN JONES
A master of attack who scored some outstanding tries for Wales and the Lions, his creative genius knew how to unlock even the tightest of defences. His daring approach thrilled crowds around the world. He scored two tries in 14 games at centre for Wales and three in six Tests for the Lions in South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.
MAURICE RICHARDS
His genius on the wing was lost to Cardiff and Wales, and probably the 1971 and 1974 Lions, when he switched to rugby league in 1969. His departure to Salford came after he scored one of the greatest overseas tries by a Welshman in the second Test defeat in New Zealand, taking his tally to seven in nine Welsh outings. Four of those came in the 1969 Triple Crown clinching win over England. He also played three times for the Lions in South Africa in 1968. His true talent was never fulfilled in rugby union. He went on to score 302 tries in 511 first-class appearances in rugby league.
CLIVE ROWLANDS
Arguably one of the most influential men in rugby in Wales in the sixties, he captained Wales in all 14 matches he played for them between 1963-65 before taking over as national coach at the end of the decade. Skippered the side to the Triple Crown in 1965 and then coached the 1969 team to the same title. A magnificent tactician and kicker of the ball from scrum half, he was inspirational in all he did.
DAI WATKINS
The twinkle-toed outside half became a legend in both codes and was recognised as the best No 10 in the world. A Triple Crown winner in 1965, he also helped Newport to beat the 1963 All Blacks. He played in all six Tests with the Lions in Australia and New Zealand in 1966. A brilliant attacker he scored two tries in 21 games for Wales before switching to Salford in 1967. In 12 seasons with the club he scored more than 3,000 points. He also played for Wales and Great Britain in the 13-1-side code.
Forwards
DAI MORRIS
A Triple Crown winner in 1969, he was an integral part of the 1971 Grand Slam side. Known as 'Dai Shadow' because of his uncanny ability to follow the ball carrier, he was a back row forward who was hard as nails, yet who also knew how to score tries. He notched six tries in 34 games for Wales – he only missed two games between his first and last caps in 1967 and 1974 – ands scored almost 150 in 13 seasons with his beloved Neath. Three of his tries came in the 13 appearances he made in the sixties.
ALUN PASK
Recognised as one of the greatest No 8s in the world game, the Abertillery schoolmaster played 26 consecutive games for his country and eight Tests for the Lions. A great attacker and tactician, he was a key member of the 1965 Triple Crown side and went on to captain his country six times.
BRIAN PRICE
A brilliant line-out technician, he played more games (32) than anyone else for Wales in the sixties. As well as being an outstanding front five forward, he was also a very skilful ball handler. Led Wales to the Triple Crown in 1969 and was also at the heart of the 1965 title winning side. Skippered Wales six times and won four caps for the Lions in 1966.
DELME THOMAS
One of the greatest players to come from the Llanelli club, he was capped for the Lions before Wales. A magnificent line-out forward who was capable of playing in the front and second rows, he won seven of his 25 caps in the sixties. Was capped twice with the Lions in 1966 before making his Wales debut in the game against Australia later than year. He also toured South Africa with the Lions in 1968 and New Zealand in 1971. Played in the Triple Crown winning game against England in 1969 before going on to win a Grand Slam in 1971 and captain his country.
DENZIL WILLIAMS
Won 28 of his 36 Welsh caps in the sixties, including all six games in the 1965 and 1969 Triple Crown victories. A no-nonsense, hard grafting forward, he was converted from second row for his club, Ebbw Vale, into one of the most admirer props in the northern hemisphere. A fitness fanatic, he loved having the ball in his hands, but knew that the game was won and lost up front. Was one of the few forwards who emerged with credit from the 1966 Lions tour, when he played in five of the six Tests.
FAMOUS TRIES FROM THE SIXTIES
STUART WINGS IN AGAINST FRANCE – Wales v France, Cardiff Arms Park, 1966
Wales were 8-0 down to two French tries within 12 minutes in this game. Something had to be done. Two Keith Bradshaw penalties brought the home side back into contention by half-time but, with 10 minutes to go, the French were still ahead. Not only that they were attacking. Then Stuart Watkins intercepted a pass in his own 22 and went haring up field. He fended off the covering full back and ended a 75 metre run with a match winning score that enabled Wales to hold onto the championship title.
JARRETT IS A TEENAGE IDOL – Wales v England, Cardiff Arms Park, 1967
Wales had lost their previous four games and responded by giving a debut to an 18-year-old centre at full back. If it was one of the biggest gambles of all time, it certainly paid off. The game became know as 'Jarrett's Match' as Keith Jarrett helped himself to 19 points. Included in that haul was only the second Test try ever scored by a Welsh full back. He gathered an English kick-ahead at top speed just outside his 22 and raced up the touch line to score a spectacular try at the other end. Wales won 34-21 and avoided a first championship whitewash.
CUNNING DENZIL TRICKS THE IRISH – Wales v Ireland, Cardiff Arms Park, 1969
The Irish arrived in Cardiff seeking the Triple Crown and were leading 6-3 when Wales were awarded a simple penalty in front of the posts on the Irish 22. Up stepped Keith Jarrett to take the kick, but prop forward Denzil Williams had other ideas. He called for the ball as the Irish players turned their backs expecting the kick at goal. Jarrett didn't indicate the kick, instead passed to the galloping Denzil and the Ebbw Vale legend romped over for one of the cheekiest tries on record.
GARETH OUT TWISTS THE FRENCH – France v Wales, Paris, 1969
Wales went to Stade Colombes with their sights set on the third leg of a possible Grand Slam. The game ended up as an 8-8 draw, but contained one of Gareth Edwards' typical solo efforts. Revealing all his grit, power and determination, he dodged a couple of tacklers, bounced off a few others and twisted out of the final one to cross for an amazing score.
RICHARDS SAVE WELSH FACE – New Zealand v Wales, Auckland, 1969
Wales may have been well beat by the All Blacks in the two Tests, but some Welsh credibility was restored when Maurice Richards scored the pick of the five tries in the second Test. The wing feinted inside, turned outside and then beat the covering defence from 30 metres with a curving run that at least gave a glimpse of what the 1969 European champions were capable of.
SIXTIES PERFORMANCES
DEWI DOES THE TRICK
Wales 6, England 3 – Cardiff Arms Park, 21 January, 1961
Wales were reduced to 14 men for more than 30 minutes in the second half through injury, but still held out against the previous season's champions. Two magnificent tries from Swansea wing Dewi Bebb edged Wales in front in a thrilling match.
CROWNING GLORY IN DUBLIN
Ireland 8, Wales 14 – Lansdowne Road, 13 March, 1965
Clive Rowlands' side were after the Triple Crown and won it at the hardest of venues. Wales were down to 14 men for 20 minutes in the second half and put No 8 Alun Pask to full back. Tries by David Watkins and Dewi Bebb won the day, and the title, for Wales.
EXPRESS TRAIN TO TITLE
Wales 9, France 8 – Cardiff Arms Park, 26 March, 1966
There seemed no chance of Wales denying the French as timed ticked away. Then came one of the greatest interception tries of all time by a Welshman. Newport flier Stuart Watkins read the French passing superbly and intercepted 75 yards out. He raced clear, beat the covering defence and crossed for a try that won the game by a point and allowed Wales to retain the championship title for the first time in 57 years.
JARRETT'S MATCH
Wales 34, England 21 – Cardiff Arms Park, 15 April, 1967
England wanted the Triple Crown, Wales wanted to avoid a first championship whitewash and end a run of four successive defeats. The selectors banked on an 18-year-old debutant at full back, Keith Jarrett, to help turn their fortunes around. He kicked the opening points of the game with a penalty that went in off the upright and ended with a record equalling 19 points.
MAURICE RUNS ENGLAND RAGGED
Wales 30, England 9 – Cardiff Arms Park, 12 April, 1969
The Triple Crown was at stake and it looked a long way off with the scores tied 3-3 at half-time. But then came the burst of scoring that heralded in the second Golden Era in Welsh rugby. Maurice Richards equalled the Welsh scoring record with four tries, Barry John weaved his way over for another and the Triple Crown and championship title were secured. Bring on the seventies!#
