Barry John died on Sunday 4th February 2024 aged 79,
at the University Hospital of Wales
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It was during the 1971 Lions tour to New Zealand that Barry John, was named 'The King', a reference to the fly-half's majestic performances. His presence on the rugby stage was all too fleeting, but in six years he reached heights that us mere mortals can only dream about - he was rugby's first TV superstar. He had it all. Speed of thought was matched by speed of movement, whilst a jink and sidestep would enable him to glide through gaps which seemingly weren't there. His tactical kicking reflected his intuitive reading of the game, whilst his goal kicking was prolific. On the '71 tour he scored 180 points. John began his career at Llanelli but soon joined Cardiff where he teamed up with Gareth Edwards, the start of a great partnership.
In 1966, he made his international debut against Australia but was dropped later in that season and it wasn't until 1967 that the John-Edwards combination got its first run out for Wales. Despite appearing in a beaten Welsh side, the pair were selected for the 1968 Lions tour to South Africa. Unfortunately, injury ended his tour. Wales won the Five Nations championship in 1968-69 and John toured New Zealand with the national side in 1969. It was not a victorious tour but, as for many Welsh players on the tour, one which taught John a lot. He returned at the height of his powers, with 1970-1972 halcyon days. On the 1971 Lions tour John reached his zenith - his tactical kicking changed the course of the first test, whilst his try in the third test was crucial. He scored 30 points in the series. He retired at the age of 27. Typically he went out on a high, on his own terms and most importantly whilst his genius was at its peak. (John Lovell)
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Barry John is pictured above on 5th. December 1971. Photograph taken by George Herringshaw. ©.
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1966 v Australia (Cardiff) L 14-11
1967 v Scotland (Murrayfield) L 11-5 (FN)
1967 v New Zealand (Cardiff) L 13-6
1968 v England (Twickenham) D 11-11 (FN)
1968 v Scotland (Cardiff) W 5-0 (FN)
1968 v Ireland (Dublin) L 9-6 (FN)
1968 v France (Cardiff) L 14-9 (FN)
1969 v Scotland (Murrayfield) W 17-3 (FN)
1969 v Ireland (Cardiff) W 24-11 (FN)
1969 v France (Paris) D 8-8 (FN)
1969 v England (Cardiff) W 30-9 (FN)
1969 v New Zealand (Christchruch) L 19-0
1969 v New Zealand (Auckland) L 33-12
1969 v Australia (Sydney) W 19-16
1970 v South Africa (Cardiff) D 6-6
1970 v Scotland (Cardiff) W 18-9 (FN)
1970 v England (Twickenham) W 17-13 (FN)
1970 v Ireland (Dublin) L 14-0 (FN)
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1971 v England (Cardiff) W 22-6 (FN)
1971 v Scotland (Murrayfield) W 19-18 (FN)
1971 v Ireland (Cardiff) W 23-9 (FN)
1971 v France (Paris) W 9-5 (FN)
1972 v England (Twickenham) W 12-3 (FN)
1972 v Scotland (Cardiff) W 35-12 (FN)
1972 v France (Cardiff) W 20-6 (FN)
Barry won 5 British Lions Caps (1 in 1968 v South
Africa and 4 in 1971 v New Zealand).
In 1971 he scored a crucial try v France
in Paris to win Grand Slam (won 9-5). Also in
that year he scored 30 of the 48 Lions' test
points in the tour to Australia and New Zealand.
Career Record: P25, W14, D3, L8
Test Points: 90
Tries: 5
Penalties: 13
Conversions: 6
Drop Goals: 8
(R) = Replacement |