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Athletic and mobile, 'Cobs' did what great flankers do best - first to the breakdown he was the 'link man' who provided continuity. An abrasive tackler, he was a loyal servant of the great Pontypool side of the '70s. He captained the side for an incredible ten successive seasons from 1969 to 1979. One of rugby's great thinkers, he often controlled the game from the back of the scrum or lineout. He came to international rugby relatively late, earning his first cap in 1974 at the age of 28. When the great Mervyn Davies was forced to retire in 1976, Cobner was the natural successor and led Wales to victory against Argentina. However, injury forced him to withdraw from the side before the championship began, and he did not skipper Wales in a full international again until 1978, when he led the tour to Australia.
As a Lions tourist in 1977 his effect on Lions pack was quite remarkable. After defeats by New Zealand Universities and the All Blacks in the First test, Cobner gathered the troops and drew up a forward-orientated plan to beat the Kiwis. From this moment on the Lions completely dominated their rivals and the Christchurch test was won. As pack leader 'Cobs' was at the heart of everything. However, the backs could never effectively use the abundant possession they received and the series was lost. Injury hampered him after the Waikato game and he was unfit to play in the final test. The 1978 tour to Australia was as disappointing. His Welsh team met an Australian team intent on literally stamping their mark on the world game. Cobner retired from international rugby at the end of the tour and was a Welsh selector in the 80s. (The photo above shows Terry in action during the 1977 Rugby Writers match). (John Lovell)
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Terry Cobner is pictured above playing
for Pontypool RUFC. Photo G Herringshaw. © 20/02/77.
Career Record: P19, W13, D2, L4
Test Points: 8
Tries: 2
1974 v Scotland (Cardiff) W 6-0 (FN)
1974 v Ireland (Dublin) D 9-9 (FN)
1974 v France (Cardiff) D 16-16 (FN)
1974 v England (Twickenham) L 16-12 (FN)
1975 v France (Paris) W 25-10 (FN)
1975 v England (Cardiff) W 20-4 (FN)
1975 v Scotland (Murrayfield) L 12-10 (FN)
1975 v Ireland (Cardiff) W 32-4 (FN)
1975 v Australia (Cardiff) W 28-3
1976 v England (Twickenham) W 21-9 (FN)
1976 v Scotland (Cardiff) W 28-6 (FN)
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1977 v France (Paris) L 16-9 (FN)
1977 v England (Cardiff) W 14-9 (FN)
1977 v Scotland (Murrayfield) W 18-9 (FN)
1978 v England (Twickenham) W 9-6 (FN)
1978 v Scotland (Cardiff) W 22-14 (FN)
1978 v Ireland (Dublin) W 20-16 (FN)
1978 v France (Cardiff) W 16-7 (FN)
1978 v Australia (Brisbane) L 18-8
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