In Conversation with Gareth Edwards

Sir Gareth Edwards CBE is a former rugby union player who played scrum-half for Wales. He has been described as "arguably the greatest player ever to don a Welsh jersey".
He chatted about his career with Ali Bacher.

[@donkeysknob5162]

No matter weather your a Scot, Irish, English, I think everyone knew that Gareth Edwards was the king as far as world of rugby were concerned as a scrum half. A fitting honour to now be SIR Gareth Edwards. You were a tiger, thank you Gareth, from an English fan of rugby

[@steffanhoffmann]

I'm a Bok but in your assessment of UK fans etc you forgot Wales. Which is obviously where he's from. Nobody else spotted this glaring error. Kindly change it. Thanks.

[@Tridhos]

In Cardiff there are two statues in the centre of the city to two of my greatest heros, Nye Bevan founder of the NHS and Gareth Edwards a living legend.

[@georgel779]

Best 9 ever. Happy to admit it even as a boks fan

[@Moggy471]

Anyone who is more than a couple of years younger than I am cannot uderstand fully just how good a player this man was. He played in teams full of astonishing players, and he was still outstanding. IMO the best there has ever been.

[@edwardruane8993]

Greatest rugby player ever!

[@edwardsmith4468]

Those immortal words will live forever, Edwards to John.

[@glynnrawle3719]

According to Barry John’s autobiography, they had an understanding which was “You throw it, I’ll catch it”

[@kelvinlewis4065]

Yes ..Those were the days !!!.. unsurpassed .The best ever ..Thank you Ed ..!!

[@wobblertv8083]

Edwards to Bennett wasn't to bad either the second best scrum/ fly half partnership ever ...

[@steffanhoffmann]

Edwards a wealth of talent; and a great memory. Recalling stuff so well. Praising players, he thought were just as good as he was; or better.

[@dnorfed]

Gareth was and is a wonderful man, I could listen to him for hours, without doubt the greatest scrum half ever, alongside John, Bennett, JPR, JJ Williams, and many more from the Wales glory years

[@thadtuiol1717]

I love how Ali Bacher just let his guests talk without interrupting or trying to be witty and upstage them. RIP Dr. Bacher, you were a good man.

[@nikndel]

what do you mean ??? RIP

[@steffanhoffmann]

​@@nikndelYea, currently he's 81.

[@johncraig9011]

Welsh Wizard's. Much respect. RIP Phil Bennett

[@gspeers5667]

Brilliant! How professionalism has spoilt the modern game . I still get goosebumps watching Edwzrds and co rather than the modern day robots and the plethora of replacements. Ashamed to say I watch very little RU now and I worry about the constant physicality of the modern Pro which is clearly causing health issues. If only we could turn back time,!

[@johnroberts9845]

Its actually refreshing to scroll through the comments section and see everyone saying the same thing and not putting this "True Legend " down. He was voted as the best player ever and I don't think anyone who truly knows the game and has a unbiased view will disagree. The best 9 ever .

[@AGoodEgg_]

I think it’s very telling that even when more modern era greats are asked to name their all-time best team - Edwards stands inside Carter. Perhaps Antoine Dupont is now getting a nudge - but Edwards had blistering pace for a rugby player/9. When you’re defending speed coming from the wings and the fringes of the scrum/ruck/maul - it’s incredibly difficult

[@ifthikarsheriff9580]

Gareth Edwards and Phil Bennett were a marvelous combination at 9 and 10.

[@ajarnwordsmith628]

Yes, but don't forget Barry John, to my mind, the greatest fly-half I've ever watched. Their partnership was magical, on the cusp of the greatest decade in global and national rugby. Phil Bennet inherited a "spot" in the partnership with extraordinary skills, taken even further in his partnership with Gareth. As a "complete" fly-half, Barry gets my vote. No one has matched his uncanny ability to kick for touch and/or in defence, (kicking), etc. It was John who developed a trend in play that saw the fly-half move out of position as he fed his centres in order to drop back from the line and transform his positional play into that of an extra, ad hoc full-back.

[@wobblertv8083]

Poet warrior player, growing up in the 70s it was a privilege to watch him play .

[@user-te3jc3sl7r]

Gareth Edwards is one of the greats of world rugby. Even though I'm a AB fan I still regard him as a better half back than Sid Going in the 1970's who is still regarded as one of the best AB halfs ever. The 1971 and 74 Lions feats against the ABs and Boks may not have happened without him.

[@martybourke2428]

No Super Skd in my opinion always worried opposition, Gareth was magnificent tho

[@user-te3jc3sl7r]

Thanks@@martybourke2428

[@vantheman1238]

@@martybourke2428both great. Remember Going had the All Blacks pack in front of him. Going was never going backwards, Edwards was and was still brilliant.

[@user-te3jc3sl7r]

Agree though Gareth Edwards is always going to be known to future rugby generations for scoring that brilliant Bas bas try in 1973@@garyduncanson2078

[@Emjaygee1950]

My greatest ever honour as a rugby player was once playing outside half to you at Cardiff. Sir Gar, Thank you so much for all the pleasure you've given to so many people everywhere!

[@juansancho939]

El mejor jugador de la historia del rugby era mágico nunca he visto nadie como el genial Gareth Edwards

[@rugbyfanz6208]

Great interview. Thanks for uploading.

[@chrisswift2215]

The George Best of Rugby

[@edwardruane8993]

That was Barry John.

[@chrisp4170]

"...arguably..."? "...Welsh..."? I'm English and I have no doubt he was simply the greatest rugby player ever.

[@matthewashman1406]

Of the 70s yes. But of all time that is a big call

[@terryhapi8567]

The best passing halfback i have seen in this error he was brilliant

[@andypemberton140]

Iovely fellow garath and so funny

[@tinopavic7542]

The greatest rugby player of all time!

[@CemlynJones1952]

That was nice.

[@chrismorgan9460]

The besr there was the best there is and the best there ever will be

[@pjneethling26]

You're taking about Danie Gerber.

[@steffanhoffmann]

​@@pjneethling26Rubbish comment. Bias.

[@NikHem343]

Crazy to think that this man directed a Godzilla movie

[@JohnPanto]

Phil was not on the 71 tour

[@mountainman9145]

The most interesting comment - the modern game looks for contact while the amateur eras tried to avoid contact - take your pick. My opinion (for what its worth) is that the modern game is closer to rugby league than ever - why try to replicate rugby league when the older style play encouraged running rugby. Perhaps its time for a major rethink on the direction the game should take.

[@markcordwell2035]

He is a bit special as a man and rugby player

[@petermcdonagh-ex4nv]

Not a box kick in all that

[@christopherdale7017]

Yeah but you did well against the ALL BLACKS and the NZ teams,but the loss against Queensland 15-11 at Ballymore was a wake up call and near loss to New South Wales 9-14 they should of played the Wallabies in at least 2 tests before heading to NZ. Would of helped the Wallabies against the touring 1971 Springboks which pre 1995 was the best Springbok team out their before they were put into political Isolation. Yes I believe the only losses the Lions had between 1971-1974 were the 2 in 1971 against Queensland and New Zealand and the final test in 1974 against the Springboks which I believe shouldn't of been Given to them. For me between 1980-1992 tough times for the Springboks as a Wallabies supporter I was glad to see them come back in 1992 with All Blacks and Wallabies touring South Africa and then the Tour of France and England later that year to see Naas Botha complete his disruptived career, Winning 1995 world cup for Danie Craven and last of all the British and Irish lions touring in 1997 South Africa for the first time since 1980. To signal South Africa were back in World Rugby and bought back to earth by the Wallabies at the 1999 world cup thank you Tim Horan and Stephen Larkham and the Cricketers earlier in the year to make it a Double for Australia and for Wales and South Africa to lick their Wounds. I liked Gareth Edwards but after Barry John said what he did about Australia/Wallabies after the 1999 World cup and post lions tour of Australia I was thinking Sour Grapes big time Australia were a superior at that time. I was disappointed that he didn't mention ken Catchpole and John Hipwell from Australia. Let's face it Wales were Woeful at Rugby Between 1991-2004 for at least 13 year.