Wales and Lions rugby great Barry John dies aged 79 | ITV News

Wales rugby great Barry John has died at the age of 79.
The former Wales and British and Irish Lions fly-half died peacefully in hospital, his family announced.
John, who was nicknamed The King by New Zealand journalists after he inspired the Lions’ famous 1971 Test series victory over the All Blacks, won 25 Wales caps between 1966 and 1972.
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[@simonhattrell5321]

The apex of Welsh wizardry, who made you smile just about everytime he got the ball. RIP.

[@ewan_GTO]

Disaster struck this morning when a fitter's mate named Ron Cracked the mould of solid gold, that once made Barry John. - M Boyce. A true legend…

[@jon780249]

A wondrous player. The George Best of Rugby.

[@uwanttono4012]

What a player and a legend was the King! May he rest in eternal peace! RIP

[@robharding5345]

I am a football fan, But I watched the early 70's rugby. games. and this guy stood out, Back when they just played rugby, instead of bulking up and losing the essential wizardry. which this guy had in abundance.

[@donkoh5738]

nice comment... just curious if you ever got to watch him play at a match in person ?

[@robharding5345]

No, only on the BBC unfortunately.@@donkoh5738 , but back then, the armchair was a good seat.

[@leedavis6000]

Very well put.

[@robharding5345]

No, I wasn't @@donkoh5738 that fortunate, but I would have liked to have witnessed his jinking runs in person,

[@user-te3jc3sl7r]

Barry John became a rugby superstar due to his brilliant performances on the Lions triumphant tour of NZ in 1971. He was one of the first goal kickers to use the round the corner/ soccer style method which every goal kicker today employs. I think he scored a record 180 points on the NZ tour including 30 points in the tests. RIP one of legends of rugby.

[@johnhughes8466]

Probably the greatest rugby player I have ever seen!

[@bristolrovers27]

A real legend, as an Englishman he was terrifying and beautiful at the same time.

[@steffanhoffmann]

I agree 😂

[@user-bu9nb8wr6e]

I saw him play. He was so quick he could turn the light off and be in bed before it was dark. May he rest in peace.

[@MrRobert2040]

A true great. Had a wonderful tour to NZ in 1971.

[@barleyarrish]

Oh my what a talented Gentleman! In the Early 70's I was fortunate to have met him and sunk a few beers in his delightful company as Geoff Evans was a Biochem' lecturer at Southbank Poly in London where I worked in the same dept as Geoff. I got to meet so many of the Greats and had many a great night in Becky's Dive Bar near London Bidge. A true Legend Barry had majic for sure, God Bless you Barry.

[@oscarrees-thompson6484]

The most gifted rugby player I ever did see as a young Welsh lad growing up in Ystradgynlais. Have a good journey my friend. Ystradgynlais

[@paul2803]

Phil Bennett, Dave Duckham, JPR and now Barry John.... The Great Bill Mclaren is callimg the boys upwards for one hell of a match. RIP .

[@jeremymerrifield7244]

And a beer or 2

[@jonathan.robbins]

I’ve got a signed rugby jersey on the wall of my office, signed by four great players. Phil Bennett, JPR, Barry John, and now only Gareth Edwards left.

[@williem1710]

That generation of great rugby players are passing on to the great pitch in the heavens - Sid Millar, JPR Williams, now Barry John all in the last month. They were my boyhood heroes. Guess that means my turn will come in the not too distant future - except I wasn’t a rugby great. Great supporter if you like. 😊

[@steffanhoffmann]

Great comments buddy.

[@jeremymerrifield7244]

As a 15 year old , in 1972, we went to see the Lions play in Penryn Cornwall. We were told Barry John was injured and everyone was gutted. Half way through the 1st half we realised the linesman in a raincoat was The King . He chatted more to the fans than running the line.

[@halfaquarter2308]

@jeremymerriefield.Nice memory. That sounds like him; running the line would have bored him. Best wishes, from Wales.

[@DannyBhoy88]

Up here in scotland we're not really a rugby nation, but I recognise genius when I see it. This man was the greatest player I ever saw, why did he retire so early ? He was grace personified. Thank you Barry John.

[@roderickherbert7233]

HE WAS A GREAT CREDIT TO THE RUGBY WORLD AND OBVIOUSLY TO WALES.......HE WAS A WIZARD WITH THE BALL.......HE WAS A LEGEND.......JPR AND WATKINS ALL EXCELLENT AND TALENTED PLAYERS........WALES DOMINATED THE GAME IN THE 70 S

[@markshields5883]

The greatest 10 to play the game

[@SuperEdge67]

Ever heard of Dan Carter.

[@timphillips9954]

@@SuperEdge67 Yes he was not fit to lace his boots.

[@halfaquarter2308]

Yes, Tim. There is a difference between genius and talent.​@@timphillips9954

[@SuperEdge67]

@@timphillips9954 Yes Carter was 100x the player Barry John could ever hope to be.

[@markjones464]

​@SuperEdge67 It time to show Respect , it about Barry John the King , nobody Respected him more That the All blacks , Cheers Mate 🍻

[@dominus1204]

One of THE names I always remembered from my young days of watching sport. Him, JPR and Gareth Edwards ... spectacular to watch

[@mrleekel]

Some player ! I saw him play a few times( Cardiff v Newport) He scored four drop goals in one of those games !

[@UK-10086]

The KING named by the New Zealand Rugby Fans . What a lovely man he was, he was a very humble guy, who had time for all, nothing big headed in Barry John, just a very nice normal bloke. R.i.P to the Greatest No.10 that as every been, even todays game he would fit in by his winning mentality and his great side step and acceleration.

[@prideofdurham4776]

Great player in a great age for British Rugby.Sadly missed.

[@DaNiyaHodge]

Rip Barry John, you will be missed

[@Funeeman]

Barry John, JPR Williams, David Watkins in Rugby, Sir Bobby Charlton, Pele, and Franz Beckenbauer in Football. We certainly have lost some sporting legends in the last 18 months. We all have to go one day i suppose. We were placed on earth to fulfil a purpose, and that purpose is what gives meaning to our lives, you were sent to the world to make an impact and make a difference. Myles Munroe

[@jeffatkins6890]

Well said sir

[@oldjake4233]

I think all these distinguished sporting figures actually passed away within the last 13 months. If you exclude Pele (December 2022) the others passed away within 5 months of each other. They lived well into their 70s or 80s though, but it's still sad when those who gave joy to many on the sporting fields depart this world.

[@johnlangdon7576]

2 welsh legends in as many months 😢

[@ldfreitas9437]

Yes, and JPR was not expected, and he had contracted a weird disease, even though he seemed to be in great shape for his age. John didn't look to be living very well health wise. One never knows.

[@jeffreyroberts7438]

I don’t follow rugby at all, but Barry John stands head and shoulders above everyone as the most famous rugby player ever. RIP

[@johnhughes8466]

The greatest rugby player ever and im not welsh either so nobody can accuse me of bias!

[@markrutherford6010]

He was great player. The 1971 Lions team was greatest team ever tour New Zealand. Barry John was rugby genius. 1971 to 1974 British rugby was best in the world. The 1974 Lions team was great team too. This Era will never be repeated.

[@TJDHGV]

RIP 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🏉

[@maninthestreet01]

His wife was my teacher in infants school in Cardiff.

[@TS-bn7zt]

My absolute hero as a young boy playing rugby for my junior school. When I played I was Barry John!!! They don’t come any better and a legend of the game of rugby football the world over. RIP Barry 🙏🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🏉

[@andrewturner5449]

Just the best.

[@kelvinlewis4065]

Barry changed the future of the 10 role ..forever ... Statement ...10.5 stone of talent that will take your 3 quarters to the cleaners ..He was the first modern 10 ... An absolute master .The players that followed owe so much ..Welsh icon ..

[@petergreen5337]

😢Our condoleances to his family and friends.

[@MrGranfield]

JPR and now Barry John.

[@user-ev4rp3qb6x]

The greatest, the “King” …… RIP Barry John ……

[@iandavis-fj2ty]

R I P The king ❤

[@kenfragnicholl-sh6so]

Rip Mr Barry John you legend

[@765ketyjo]

Never played rugby, but listening to Bill McLaren's peerless commentaries+watching the 5 nations as it was then I was intrigued. Men of various physiques, some 10 and half stone mixing it with men of 17 stone plus,over half as big again. Then came 1971 and an era like no other, when a back line like no other came together under carwyn James. Edwards John, Duckham, Gibson, Davies, Bevan Dawes. Each with a touch of stardust about them. And I was drawn in, totally hooked on this,as I said,a game I never even played. I was 17 at the time and low and behold, almost 2 years later, near enough that same back division came together again to showcase why they were and still to this day the finest back division to ever take the rugby field. I'm English, but I can't deny it's been a tough month losing JPR and Barry John for me. One, who's lion hearted bravery and courage saw him, face ripped open by an all black boot in a ruck playing for Bridgend, stitched up and coming back on again for the second half . S premiership footballer would be having a month off for that. The other,an 11 stone, wil of the wisp, untouchable body swerving genius, who made All black forwards look pedestrian as they grasped at thin air as he glided effortlessly past them. I'm forever in their debt for bestowing so many treasured memories in my youth. Which I continue to relish as I contemplate their greatness at their passing

[@denismoran670]

I was working in the US (in Washington) in '71, and there was, of course, no news of the Lions' tour in NZ. I tried the British embassy, but had a really snooty negative response from them (they tried to bluff that they didn't know - Brits), but the Kiwi girl who picked up the 'phone in the NZ embassy did'nt have to look at anything, she just rattled the results off her own back ( the minor matches as well!) !.

[@milsedd]

Named after him

[@donkoh5738]

no. 8 (or no. 9 ?) white Jersey should have possibly(?) made the tackle at @1:50 , but seemed to fake himself out - not knowing what the heck Barry John was about to do in the next split?

[@steffanhoffmann]

A young Bill Beaumont said years ago...he thought he'd "got him" in a club fixture. Was clutching at thin air. He'd gone under the posts. Applauded by at least 7 players plus Beaumont. The days when Rugby was sporting to one another. When Scotland played a rooky Welsh team on Saturday? They were 24 nil up in no time at all. 27 nil just after half-time. The South African Scotsman 😂 laughed sarcastically with Finn Russell. This is what I mean.....unsporting behaviour and Scotland are the worst. Why? They've won sod-all for 25 years! Later the Welsh kids clicked. Even got a bonus point and lost. By a point. Scotland were crapping themselves. Wales are famous for catching them 😂 Finn Russell was rubbish then, indiscipline etc. Karma.

[@donkoh5738]

@@steffanhoffmann Nice one.

[@orlandogardner5288]

Sorry to see you go mate. Changed the face of NZ rugby. Never forget him (while I'm alive that is!)

[@oliprj8676]

RIP BARRY JOHN GORWEDD MEWN HEDD BRENIN CYMRU 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🏉🤴😢

[@n9nesoldecodes642]

Automatically thought Gematria Rit. Sac. just cuz so use to that happening to All Time Greats who are retired. RIP to 'The King'

[@hunterluxton5976]

He moved like he spoke, with flair and sheer poetry.

[@jonbeavis8963]

Beautiful legend. Not knighted because he wasn't in the gang. No statue in Cardiff. Disgusting. You'll always be the best. RIP

[@raymondkerl338]

Barry didn't want to go, but went to keep the welsh side up in Heaven, and look after JPR.

[@PaulW1954]

RIEP

[@johnhughes8466]

Oh and im English!

[@robbdavies7749]

A Nation Mourns

[@TheLRider]

Dewyn yng ngwir ystyr y gair. Diolch am yr atgofion melys iawn. Y dyn naturiol ei ddawn a'i grefft efo'r bêl hirgron.. Anhygoel ei ddewiniaeth ef.. Cysga'n dawel, wnawn ni byth byth anghofio Barry John.

[@user-ly4st1dt6c]

His nickname as the King given to him by ALL Black supporters of all people was well justified as he just appeared to ghost through defences . He will now join JPR in God's Heavenly XV . Simply the Best , greater than ALL the Rest !!

[@jeffatkins6890]

I’m 74 this year , he was good at the game , but better at drinking

[@timphillips9954]

Could say that in the Valleys. Most people were good at their job then , but better at drinking. True yesterday and even truer today, lol.

[@steffanhoffmann]

Disrespectful comment. Unneeded

[@ldfreitas9437]

All I'm going to say about that is his wife made a few comments on that now ten year old documentary about him, which I discovered on this site. He was one of he best players ever. I don't know how he'd play in today's game, but law changes and professionalism have changed the game greatly.

[@ldfreitas9437]

Being an American I never saw him play in the flesh. As it turned out, I only learned of him my freshman year at Santa Clara University when on the rugby team. Our coach had been one of the Pacific Coast Grizzlies who toured New Zealand that same time in 1971 that the Lions did. He was a history teacher at the local high school (Mickey Ording, eventually an Eagle). Somehow, he had 16 mm film of the Lions tour. He had access to a projector. The rugby team got to see the films at an end of season party at his home.

[@davidparrott1507]

Another Great leaves us. R.i.P.