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riosleftsock 12:05 Tue Jan 9
JPR Williams RIP

A friend of the family. Wonderful player, and a top bloke.

Alfs 4:21 Wed Jan 10
Re: JPR Williams RIP

Yeah, it's 'outed' in the brilliant book Undefeated by Rhodri Davies, which chronicles the entire tour. Definitely worth a read.

Northern Sold 11:18 Wed Jan 10
Re: JPR Williams RIP

Interesting that Alf as they have certainly kept the myth going for some time..

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/2017/06/19/lions-tales-infamous-99-call-led-mass-punch-up-brutal-tours/

Made me laugh...

Sir Ian McGeechan has described the first 30 minutes of that game as the most intense and physical he has ever experienced. One punch caused Springbok prop Johan de Bruyn to lose his glass eye, with all the forwards looking for it on the turf. When it was recovered de Bruyn put it back in, albeit the wrong way round and covered in grass.

But then came the 99 call, and then Williams sprang into action, flooring lock Moaner van Heerden with a right hook that forced the giant Springbok from the field.

“I was 40 metres away when it was called so it would have taken me a while to get there,” says Williams. “But I can remember sprinting towards the forwards and Phil Bennett and JJ Williams were running in the opposite direction.

“Did it work? I think it did, yes. It showed we weren’t going to be physically dominated, which has always been part of South African rugby and is to this day. They are always very. Very physical. It certainly contributed a fair bit to the team morale.”

The Lions would go on to win the Test 26-9 before completing the only unbeaten tour in Lions history, winning 21 and drawing one of their games. The 99 call was a key reason for that, but for Williams there was another, unexpected chapter in the story some 25 years after the tour.

“About 15 years ago I was on a train from London to Cardiff - and I realised that so too was Moaner van Heerden! He was going there to present the jerseys to the new South African caps.

“So, typical South African, he came up to me and said….. ‘JPR, that’s the best punch I ever took in my life!’”

The greatest punch and one of the great Lions tales.

Alfs 4:57 Wed Jan 10
Re: JPR Williams RIP

Sold - Unfortunately, the 99 thing is a myth. I researched the tour thoroughly and spoke with many who were there. I was devastated as it was a key part of the script.

However, JPR did run the length of the field to punch a Saffa. His namesake, JJ, ran the other way.

It was an amazing tour, and we would have white washed them if the ref hadn't blown for time 9 minutes early!

Council Scum 2:00 Tue Jan 9
Re: JPR Williams RIP

My middle names are John and Gareth... Dad is a massive rugby man and his mother was Welsh

Northern Sold 1:09 Tue Jan 9
Re: JPR Williams RIP

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BD25LF2kv18

Different game back then.... blimey!!

Northern Sold 1:02 Tue Jan 9
Re: JPR Williams RIP

Started watching Rugby when that Welsh team were top dogs... what a mob they was.... and for me JPR was the king (too young for Barry John!!)... he had absolutely everything.... there was literally nothing he could not do with maybe sticking his head in a scrum... attack, defence, bravery, tactical kicking, superb under high balls, drop goals he was top notch... I don't throw around the word World class willy nilly.... but the Doc' could have played and excelled in any team at any time in the world... yeah Cullen, Blanco, Hastings, Montgomery, Robinson etc fine fine brilliant players.... but JPR for me never had a weakness.... oh and he also was the only back to get on board on a 99 Call v those fucking Boks !!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_SFCnzf1-5U


Oh... and his normal brilliant bread and butter

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zdwz7T2AWOo


RIP JPR

Percy Dalton 11:31 Tue Jan 9
Re: JPR Williams RIP

Sad news that a wonderful player and as said tough as old boots. RIP.

Far Cough 10:39 Tue Jan 9
Re: JPR Williams RIP

RIP JPR

onsideman 9:21 Tue Jan 9
Re: JPR Williams RIP

Hearing this brought back some wonderful childhood memories. A true legend from the amateur days of rugby. RIP

Alfs 4:10 Tue Jan 9
Re: JPR Williams RIP

Hard as nails on the pitch, soft as butter off it.

RIP JPR x

Sydney_Iron 1:50 Tue Jan 9
Re: JPR Williams RIP

RIP, from the golden generation of Welsh Rugby.

Sad news

zico 12:36 Tue Jan 9
Re: JPR Williams RIP

Aw shame. Back then watched all the rugby and remember JPR, Phil Bennett, Gareth Edwards and the like in that brilliant Barbarians team. RIP

kips 12:31 Tue Jan 9
Re: JPR Williams RIP

What a player he was. Tough as teak, loved a tackle, fast and knew how to throw a punch. All this and a trained doctor as well.

Broke the mold
Rip

pdcwhu 12:17 Tue Jan 9
Re: JPR Williams RIP

R.I.P.

riosleftsock 12:06 Tue Jan 9
Re: JPR Williams RIP

BBC Obituary

Wales and British and Irish Lions rugby legend JPR Williams has died at the age of 74.

The former London Welsh, Bridgend and Barbarians full-back was synonymous with Wales and the Lions' glories of the 1970s.

Williams captained Wales and Bridgend, winning 55 caps for his country.

During historic triumphant Lions tours to New Zealand in 1971 and 1974 in South Africa, Williams accumulated eight Test caps.

A statement from the Williams family said: "JPR died peacefully today at the University Hospital of Wales surrounded by his loving wife and four children, after a short illness, bravely battling bacterial meningitis.

"The family request privacy at this difficult time."

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Williams' passing was announced by Bridgend Ravens - formerly known as Bridgend - on social media.

"Bridgend Ravens are devastated to announce the passing of JPR Williams," they said.

"One of Bridgend's most decorated-players and an icon of world rugby, JPR served the club most recently as club president. Our thoughts are with JPR's family and friends at this sad time."

Former Wales captain Jonathan Davies has described Williams as "absolute legend".


BBC Sport Wales looks back at five memorable moments in the career of JPR Williams
"Not many people can go by their initial and he was known as JPR," Davies told BBC 5 Live sport.

"I remember watching him growing up. He was an absolute rock in defence with the tackles he made.

"If you wanted anybody behind you at full-back, I could not think of anybody better.

"When he was with the 1974 Lions in South Africa, when the fights broke out, he kept running in from full-back to punch the forwards. He was perhaps the most competitive bloke I have ever come across.

"He was ferociously competitive. It is very sad, he was just a great rugby player and an incredible character.

"Whenever you mention who were the greatest full-backs in any era, you hear about the greats like Serge Blanco and Christian Cullen, JPR is always in the mix."

The British and Irish Lions called Williams "one of the greatest ever" players to wear their shirt and called him "a man who inspired so many".
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London Welsh, where Williams played for eight years, said his passing was a "huge loss to all who knew and loved him".