FAREWELL TO A WELSH GREAT
WALES and Lions winger JJ Williams died just days after his brother Peter’s death.
The news of JJ’s passing aged 72 was confirmed by his former club Bridgend, and it follows the sad death of his brother Peter, one of Welsh rugby’s most successful club coaches of the 1970s, on October 20.
The two brothers enjoyed a passion for athletics, teaching and, of course, rugby.
The WRU last week offered its sincerest condolences to Peter’s wife Joyce and son Richard, and today did the same for JJ’s wife Jane, children Kathryn, James and Rhys, as well as their wider family and friends.
Both educated at Maesteg Grammar School, the brothers were talented in athletics before making their mark on rugby.
John James Williams represented Wales in the Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh in 1970 and became Welsh sprint champion in 1971, while Peter won the Welsh Schools and Welsh AAA Junior Men’s triple jump titles in 1959.
Peter, who trained as a teacher at Caerleon College of Education, became head of PE at Maesteg Comprehensive School - a role he took over from his younger brother - and helped to develop the careers of Wales and Lions fullback Gwyn Evans and Wales back row men Mark Davies and Rhodri Lewis among many other firstclass players.
JJ enjoyed a glittering playing career which took in spells with Maesteg, Bridgend and Llanelli before he became a Wales and Lions legend. He won 30 caps for Wales between 1973 and 1979, scoring 12 tries and sharing in Grand Slam and Triple Crown glory, and also went on two Lions tours - to South Africa in 1974 and New Zealand in 1977 - playing in seven Tests.
In all, he made 223 appearances for Llanelli over nine seasons, playing on the right wing in the side which recorded the famous 9-3 victory over New Zealand at Stradey
Park on October 31, 1972.
After hanging up his boots, JJ became a regular pundit on TV and radio, while he ran a commercial and industrial painting company based in Pyle.
His son James posted a statement on Twitter yesterday which said: “Our amazing Dad passed away peacefully this morning.
“As a family we would like to thank everyone for the lovely messages and tributes.
“Dad lived life to the full right to the end and we will miss him forever. Love you Dad x”.
Peter, who died after what the WRU describe as a short illness, established himself as a well-respected rugby coach after his playing days.
Having played 76 times for the Old Parish at second row - he also appeared for Bridgend - ‘Big Pete’ turned to coaching and transformed the fortunes of his old club.
Having taken over at the start of the 1975-76 season, in tandem with backs coach Terry Dunne he brought on a number of his former pupils who had starred in one of his invincible Maesteg Comprehensive sides, blending them with a core of seasoned performers led by the charismatic Billy Pole.
Their efforts led to Maesteg winning backto-back Whitbread Merit Table titles in 1977-78 and 1978-79.
In 1978, he helped Clive Rowlands prepare a West Wales XV for an encounter with the New Zealand tourists and in 1982 was the coach in Maesteg’s centenary season when they drew 10-10 with the Maoris.
He coached at Maesteg from 1975-84 and became a senior WRU staff coach in 1978.
He also stepped into his coaching role with the Welsh Schools Senior Group after enjoying considerable success as a coach at his hometown club.
An assistant coach to John Huw Williams on the tour to New Zealand in 1990 - when Wales beat the young All Blacks 1711 in Christchurch - Peter was head coach four years later when Gethin Watts’ side went to Australia and won 19-12.
Former Welsh Schools head coach, team manager and chairman John Huw Williams said: “Pete was an ultra-reliable and very genial coach who was loved and respected by everyone. He was a key part of the coaching team with the Welsh Schools in New Zealand and then took the side to Australia in 1994.”
Maesteg RFC historian
Dennis Thomas said: “We are fortunate to have had some top-class coaches over the years, including Leighton Davies, but Maesteg enjoyed huge success under Peter.
“He was a superb coach. It’s no exaggeration to call him a club legend.”
Clive Rowlands recalled: “Peter was a really nice guy.
“I remember him as player for Bridgend. He was a fine second row.
“He brought through some good players as a coach. He was a typical school-teacher coach – very, very knowledgeable, with a grasp of all areas.”