East Wales v Australia 1973

[@jiji1946]

no jumbotron, no wall-to-wall flashing LED commercials, no 3D turf visuals, no fireworks, no spinning logos zooming at you at every pause, no replay replay replays, no VAR, no 'walking advert' players, no ballyhoo, no hype.... just rugby.... thanks David for this.

[@aric7726]

And to top it all off, no salaries for the players 😂

[@IorrieP]

Born in S. Wales in 1947, was privileged to see the best Welsh players when I grew up, in Cardiff and elsewhere. Though living elsewhere, I've never lost the memories of those fantastic Welsh rugby players.

[@johnf991]

I used to go to see London Welsh in the late 60s and early 70s up until 1971 when, after leaving school, our old boys club played in the afternoon and so watching first class rugby was limited to internationals and the Middlesex 7s. I'd play for the school in the morning, go home for lunch (via the pub) and then off to Old Deer Park or whichever south west London club they might be playing that I could travel to in time for kick off. They had a fabulous side then, led by John Dawes, including JPR, Gerald Davies, Mervyn Davies, John Taylor, Tony Gray, Tom Shanklin, Keith Hughes, etc, etc. If the opposition missed a penalty kick at goal, you knew JPR would switch with Gerald on the counter-attack. The crowd would gasp at his acceleration and side-step. Happy days.

[@lapalad]

I went back home to Australia in 2010 for my fathers funeral and walked into my old local club to see a mate of mine drinking with Russell Fairfax, I got talking to Russell about his time on this tour and he was full of praise for the Welsh players.

[@jacquelinefox2632]

As long as you are thinking about your Mam. Love rules xxxxxxxx 💕💖💖

[@xdscottryjm7375]

man, I miss this kind of rugby. much more fluid and fun to watch and it doesn't take 2 minutes to get the scrum going.

[@paulyflyer8154]

God I enjoyed watching this. I was only 12 at the time and this match must have passed me by. Had no idea who won and this was a forgotten classic. This isnt being nostalgic but Rugby in the 70's and 80's was so much better than the technical sterile stuff we are spoon fed today. Real passion and flare. The only thing that HAS improved in my opinion is the place kicking. It's absolutely phenomenal now. Graham Price at 21 looked 40 which made me laugh I must say😂

[@KatharineShaw-z8u]

Some players of interest in that Wallaby side against East Wales. Fullback Russell Fairfax was a rugby star in Australia before going to rugby league with the Roosters afterwards, wing Owen Stephens was actually a KIwi who played one test for the All Blacks in 1968 which makes him unique playing tests for Aust as well, and the great John Hipwell at half back who played for Wallabies for nearly 14 years.

[@HubMeunier]

JPR Williams, my first welsh idol when I was a little boy. Thanks a lot for this precious share.

[@GaryDuncanson-s4g]

He was a great player and a world icon.

[@adampigott8720]

The hands!! The quick scrums! My era! High tackles, punches, all part of the game!! 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@isitwasit8756]

Brilliant .. just a brief example of how Welsh rugby was reactive with heads up rugby that was drilled into you from junior school rugby right through to senior level.. the ammount of times over and over every coach I had all through school level barked play whats in front of you..

[@celticwarrior1365]

JPR would not be out of place in the game today with his quick thinking, speed and physicality!

[@keithcaldwell7657]

He played for his home side as flanker well into his 50s

[@dartsfan5245]

This match of the Australia tour of this year I was two months old when it was played nice to see the match great quality pictures for the time If anyone has full rugby special from 70s 80s would love to see them as not on TV anymore loved rugby special and international rugby special in five nations days keep uploading love this

[@paulyflyer8154]

Realised that David Turner you I think are my cousin who passed away a few years ago. Rest in peace David. 🙏

[@davidturner7230]

I hope not! I’m mean I don’t think I died? Fingers crossed I’m not a ghost…..

[@paulyflyer8154]

@@davidturner7230 That's great news! Thanks 😀

[@jimlyons4411]

The old touring style had a lot going for it. The current test only tours leaves one a little cold.

[@SuddenStorm982]

Love the stadium and the commentary. Bill is a legend !

[@adrianperry8352]

Yes indeed. But he misses quite a bit - eg saying the Australians need to clean up their line out after they steal another Welsh throw !

[@robertroberts2666]

JPR, a surgeon who cared for other people's bodies save his own.

[@celticwarrior1365]

"Double Diamond works wonders, so get some today!" Anyone old enough to remember that ad?

[@halcyon289]

"So drink some today ! "..........I was at this game....it was bloody freezing.

[@warlord195711]

I saw this game live. The 2nd try by TGR Davies was the only thing I remembered.

[@mdjcsmith]

It's wonderful to see the old games where all top-level players were available to be selected for a representative XV.

[@rohitchristopher1283]

fantastic video quality for a match from 41 years ago! Great to see Gareth Edwards, JPR, Davies, and Co in their prime

[@adrianperry8352]

It’s a historical document, really, with all the changes to the law (and equipment). But what a wonderful Welsh side - how the present selectors would like to have that lot available for selection.

[@LeighRichards27]

thankyou for all these excellent uploads david turner. I recall as a very young boy seeing Swansea draw with Australia on this tour 9-9 - would be great if someone could upload any highlights of that game...or any Swansea games from this era.

[@rjhazel58]

Really enjoyed watching this, just a few years before my time. Seen a good few of the 70s matches recently, few observations, it's not just fitness and size that's improved since then it's also skill, none of these players, even the famous ones would have been special now. The law changes are mainly for the better. Refereeing standards are awful, much of this and other 70s games a lottery. There are plus points though, more creativity and games look more fun, especially to play in. I'd love to look back and tell young players how in my day it was better, but I'd be deluding myself. Still great to see players like Gerald Davies, Tony Shaw, John Taylor and Garrick Fay. Thanks for the upload.

[@amilsomrodrigues4954]

you´re totally right. Money changes everything.

[@keepcalmandblametheblackgu9164]

Wait a minute there is an east wales?

[@liliamaeve]

Don’t forget that these players played two games a week and had full time jobs, players like Edwards, TGR Davies and JPR would have been world class in the modern game with the same training and player support systems that players have today.

[@isitwasit8756]

You're wrong because if the likes of Gareth Edwards jpr gerald davies etc were playing today they would still be class in the modern game due to benefiting from all the other training regimes today's player has.. but their class would still shine through..

[@isitwasit8756]

In my opinion rugby was more entertaining in the amateur era .. scrums were done and dusted in no time .. lineouts were a lottery and more competitive . Backline were more exciting and creative unlike today where backs have morphed into the size of forwards looking for contact to smash through defenses.. I used to think that It was hard to tell the difference between a back and forward in rugby league ? I think rugby union has gone a bit like that unfortunately..

[@hunterluxton5976]

Gerald Dzvies was like grease lightening. Superb feet.

[@michaelrapson]

At the time the Wallabies were a project development. Still ten years away from challenging the best countries.

[@MrAnamchara]

Fun to watch some old legends. When you hear a pack described as big at 15 stone average a man, it makes you realise how much smaller players were back then. They’d get mullered by modern professional teams

[@hunterluxton5976]

That was 50 years ago don't forget. I remember JPR Williams being described as a hefty 15.5 stone by McClaren when Wales beat France in 75.

[@MALANDRINON]

Gerald Davies masterclass!

[@seasideunderinvestigation6211]

That sidestep...

[@GaryDuncanson-s4g]

He was the master. John Dawes said first name on the team sheet.

[@darren2514fv]

was this originally on Rugby Special with the Bill McLaren commentary why was this on the BBC Wales programme instead of David Parry Jones

[@OldBarbershop]

Love it. Man... what happened to the great game of Rugby Union?

[@philipmarsden7104]

It became professional: not all ''progress'' is good.

[@nakedmolerat437]

they learned how to catch, pass and fall on loose balls by the looks of this dross

[@michaelday8459]

The ball back then was leather, not plastic like today, and thus much trickier to handle. The bladder inside it was also less elastic so it didn't kick as far.

[@YuusukeOnodera]

@@michaelday8459 The present day ball is done of rubber, not of plastic

[@cocricklewood4441]

Ahhh 'The Voice.

[@burnleyfan11965]

Thoroughly enjoyed watching this.My only moan is the Aussie numbering just didnt fit in with playing positions.am surprised it was allowed

[@rdgrdg1632]

When rugby was worth watching

[@jamo5468]

Excuse my ignorance but why are the numbers on the backs different?? Hipwell at halfback wearing 14, Flankers wearing 1 and 10 ? etc.

[@daynerpotter9514]

Wales were unstoppable 👍

[@aboriginalbrotha9947]

i don't know bro. Union took a lot of ideas from rugby league and make it the game it is today. The scrums are a huge issue today coz IRB don't know what the hell they're doing.

[@timsbury100]

Crooked scrum feeds are nothing new - look at 9.15! But GE still the best scrum half I've ever seen.

[@thischannelhasnoname5780]

Did this east Wales team play regularly or was it a one-off?

[@stevejohnson9455]

Any chance of getting a dvd copy of this match from you, great memories

[@ernestoroberts169]

This could easily be called "East Australia vs Wales" as well.

[@topeuph]

Why are Gareth Edwards and Gerald Davies playing for East Wales???

[@normanno8514]

because their club teams fell under the East Wales banner at the time - (Cardiff and London Welsh)

[@tunnelboy8250]

Why is a lock.playing in front row for the aussies

[@paulwebb6087]

Weird seeing Graham Price wearing 1 not 3

[@waynejones1054]

How fast was Gerald Davies dad?😀

[@robertroberts2666]

How come John Taylor represented East Wales and Wales when he was born in England and played his all his rugby in England?

[@britbox4517]

Welsh parents, and London Welsh was almost like a rugby embassy of Wales in England.

[@admiralbenbow5083]

LOL Since when was Old Deer Park in East Wales !!?

[@jacquelinefox2632]

Sweetheart. Mind his back. Ok? J, xxxxxxxx

[@celticwarrior1365]

I know that old chestnut about blind refs, but those numbers on the backs of the Aussies is a bit OTT don't you think?

[@philipmarsden7104]

Tour numbers rather than our usual numbering.

[@iananderson3799]

Is East Wales a thing? Apparently so.

[@johnhayes5633]

"East Wales"! Please-explain!

[@williamdmason9375]

CYMRU AM BLYTH AND ALBA GU BRATH

[@gwynfrynevans6467]

This type of rugby shows that the Authorities have lost the point of the game. It is rough, it is uncultured and if this game were played under the pettifogging adherence to the Laws, it would never be so exciting and the game would last about 140 minutes.