HowWales legend the All Blacks day
LESS than 24 hours before rugby hero Clem Thomas helped secure Wales’ last victory against the All Blacks he had tragically killed a woman in a car accident.
Now his son, Chris, has revealed that despite the crash his father was definitely “up for” the 1953 match.
“He was coming from Coventry, where he was working at the time as a sales rep,” the 60-year-old said.
“He had played for Coventry the previous two seasons and he had come back to play for Swansea at the beginning of the ’53 season because he wanted to play against the All Blacks.
“He was coming through Worcester and this woman came out on a bike and he killed her.”
Back-row forward Clem was never charged with any offence and there is no suggestion he was ever at fault.
“The Welsh team were concerned about whether he was in a fit state of mind to play,” said chartered accountant Chris, from Swansea.
“They called up Sid Judd. He had played for Cardiff and he scored the first try but Clem also played.”
It was December 19. The tourists were reeling from defeat by Cardiff earlier in the week when they were greeted by a 56,000-strong crowd at the old Arms Park.
“Dad assured us later he was up for it by the time he got to Cardiff for the game,” said father of two Chris, who has written a new biography of his dad.
“In those days the team did not get together until the night before and they had just hours to assemble.”
Clem, who died aged 67 on September 5, 1996, never spoke about the crash.
“Dad never, ever mentioned the woman’s death to me,” said former Swansea, Bordeaux-Begles, and Stade Clermontois player Chris.
“He never spoke about it. He obviously did not want to talk about it, ever.
“A bit like being in the war, it was obviously too traumatic. I discussed it with my mother and Mum remembers Dad being quite shocked.”
After the accident his dad had “a couple of cups of strong tea”.
His mum remembered that “when he got back he was quite upset,” Chris added.
“But he was quite determined to play.
“There was doubt in the minds of the Welsh selectors but there was never a doubt in Dad’s mind.”
By the last 15 minutes Wales were trailing 8-5.
Wing Gareth Griffiths was playing on a dislocated shoulder and Bleddyn Williams with torn thigh ligaments.
Flanker Judd crossed to level the scores as tries then were only worth three points.
Soon after Clem had the ball on the wing. He caught the All Blacks flat-footed when he launched a diagonal kick into the New Zealand 25.
Wing Ken Jones latched onto the loose ball to score the winning try to complete Wales’ third victory in four meetings with New Zealand.
After the match the Daily Express reported that “millions watched spellbound on TV at the glorious spectacle of Wales beating the All Blacks”.
“The 56,000 crowd went crazy at Cardiff Arms Park as Clem Thomas banged a magnificent crosskick eight minutes from time to pave the way for a wonderful win,” the paper said.
“What millions who saw the game did not know was the before-thematch drama with hero Thomas the central figure.
“He had been involved in a fatal car accident on Friday, but still wanted to play.
“Everyone wanted him to play. Except the selectors, who felt Clem might still be suffering from shock.”
RFU treasurer Bill Ramsay persuaded them.
“Now it will be a wonderful, wonderful Christmas in the valleys and hills of Wales, but Welshmen everywhere should send the biggest Christmas card they can find to Bill Ramsay,” the Express said.
After the match Clem said: “Why did I crosskick just at that moment?
“Well, I had to do something. There I was, alone on the touchline, looking for someone to pass to, and there were two All Blacks bearing