A family man, a gentleman – and a true rugby legend
HEARTFELT tributes from all walks of Welsh life and beyond have flooded in for Welsh rugby legend Phil Bennett, who has died after a long illness. The Wales and Lions great was 73. One of the most recognisable and celebrated figures in Welsh rugby history, he won 29 caps for Wales from 1969 to 1978, played for the Scarlets 413 times and starred for the Lions on two tours, to South Africa in 1974 and New Zealand three years later.
It has prompted touching tributes to be paid by the global rugby community and those who knew him best.
Floral tributes have been laid at the Stradey gates at Parc y Scarlets, alongside a No. 10 jersey and a photograph of the great man in action. And floral tributes and a rugby ball were laid at the statue of Bennett in his home village of Felinfoel.
A message from the Scarlets reads: “We’ve been overwhelmed by all the messages received about Phil since yesterday’s sad news. Thank you all and to the fans who have been here today to lay flowers at the Stradey Gates.”
The Scarlets have pledged to work with Bennett’s family over how best to pay tribute to the rugby legend.
Simon Muderack, Scarlets chairman, said: “A Scarlets/Llanelli man through and through, but ultimately – and most importantly – a family man. His family, I’m sure, want to recognise Phil Bennett in their own special way and we as the Scarlets will support them as they so wish.
“My thoughts are with Pat, Steven and James. We’re here to support them and help them remember Phil as best suits the family and how they want to carry things forward.
“If they so wish, people can bring flowers over the coming days. We’ll work with the family to make further plans and announce those, but for now if people feel that they want to already recognise Phil then they’re very welcome to come to the old Stradey Park gates and place flowers at the Parc.”
Wales football captain Gareth Bale and manager Rob Page paid tribute at a press conference on Monday.
Bale said: “I know he’s a massive Welsh icon. He was a bit before my time but you see videos when you’re growing up of the amazing tries he scored. Our hearts go out to his family, it’s a Welsh legend lost and we all hold him in our hearts.”
Page said of Bennett: “I watched the clips last night, he’s been an outstanding servant for Welsh rugby. Our U21s play at Llanelli [on Tuesday]. We’ll have a minute’s silence on his behalf, which I think is a great gesture.
“We’re one nation. When we play sport, we support each other. I’ve just seen some of the rugby lads walk down to training this morning so we had a conversation with them and some of the coaching staff. We are together. What he brought to Welsh rugby was
unbelievable. A great servant for Welsh rugby.”
Commentator and former international Jonathan “Jiffy” Davies said: “I’m so upset to hear the passing of the great Phil Bennett.
“He was my inspiration as a kid, he even invited me to go sprint training with him when I was in school.
“He also called Neath RFC to tell them to give me the opportunity of first-class rugby. He became a great friend and I will miss him greatly.
“My thoughts and prayers are with Pat his wife and rock and family and friends.”
Welsh actor Michael Sheen wrote: “A part of Wales has been lost. Like some huge, beautiful coastal headland being claimed by the sea. Or perhaps slowly side-stepping into it. What a gift he had. And was. Seeing these tries now brings me to tears. Much love to the family. And thank you, sir.”
World Rugby paid its own respects to Bennett. In a statement issued on social media, the global governing body said: “One of the greatest to have ever played the game. Phil Bennett’s legacy and his impact are undeniable. Our thoughts are with his family and friends, and he will be missed by the entire rugby community”.
World Rugby chairman Sir Bill Beaumont said: “Desperately sad to hear of Phil Bennett’s passing. One of the greats of Welsh and Lions rugby. Many a wonderful memory of touring with him in ‘77. Lovely person. Condolences to his family and friends at this sad time.”
Meanwhile, Scotland and Lions star Ian McGeechan paid a personal tribute. The pair shared the field together eight times for the Lions, with McGeechan playing at inside centre, just outside Bennett, giving him a front-row seat to the Welshman’s genius..
“Even at the time I thought that each outing was a rare privilege,” he wrote in the Daily Telegraph, “and the passage of time has not dulled my appreciation of his genius.”
McGeechan added: “A fierce competitor, he was also utterly ruthless and if an opposition player was off form or struggling with an injury, Benny would exploit it mercilessly. Never was that better illustrated than at altitude in the Second Test on the rock-hard ground of Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria in 1974.
“Gerald Bosch was making his Test debut for the Springboks and Phil took him to the cleaners, stepping him time and again, then taking the ball into contact and offloading to set runners away. He was unplayable, setting up two tries and scoring an amazing try himself where he sidestepped several defenders at pace.
“The Springboks sustained a record defeat that day and Bosch was dropped for the rest of the series.”
Manic Street Preachers, who namechecked Bennett in their song Prologue to History, issued their own tribute to the special man.
“The balance – the bravery – the pure skill – the ultimate sidestep – what a player – what a man – Phil Bennett gave us memories that will never fade. Condolences to his family and friends xxx”, a statement said on Twitter.
Meanwhile, one story emerged on Monday that helped sum up Bennett’s humility, genuine interest in people and gentlemanly nature.
When the Scarlets were caught up in a Covid quarantine nightmare thanks to an ill-fated United Rugby Championship trip to South Africa to fulfil two fixtures last November, the Scarlets’ entire travelling party – 32 players and 15 staff – began their mandatory 10-day isolation at a governmentapproved Holiday Inn Express just outside Belfast.
Exercise and training was limited to having stretch bands in the rooms and being allowed out for 30 minutes per day for a walk in the car park. There was barely any human interaction, and the squad also contained a number of young players.
Despite being seriously ill, Bennett was deeply concerned for the players and staff and wanted to personally find out how they were coping with their nightmarish situation.
The fact he made a direct phone call to offer his support and check if everyone was all right speaks volumes.
Up until recently he also took the time and effort to write a handwritten letter to any Scarlets player who had suffered a serious injury.
In the modern days of WhatsApp and text messaging, Bennett wanted to do it the old-fashioned way, and would deliver his letter to the club to be passed on, with words of encouragement and support along with it.
As is often the case, it is what goes on behind closed doors which shows the true measure of a person – and the stories recounted about the star’s kindness and generosity reveal a player who continued to shine as brightly off the pitch as he dazzled in those legendary games of the 1970s.