#Deepest sword end series

By the time he looped a long pass to Williams he had left another two in his wake. He skipped around one All Black and then whizzed past another. Two minutes into the match against New Zealand in 1973, he collected a long kick inside his 22 while facing his own try-line. He also starred for the Barbarians 20 times. Paying tribute on their website, the Lions said: вЂњHe is widely recognised as one of the all-time greats of the game and dazzled in both the red of Wales and the red of the British and Irish Lions at the height of his career in the 1970s.вЂќ Our deepest condolences to PhilвЂ™s wife Pat, their family and his many, many friends. The Welsh Rugby Union expressed their condolences and appreciation on Twitter: вЂњSuch sad news from Llanelli this evening with the passing of Phil Bennett, a Welsh rugby legend in every sense and true gentleman. Phil was a hero and friend to so many people, not only in Llanelli and west Wales but throughout the game and I am sure a lot of Scarlets supporters will have their own particular stories of the times they met and chatted to вЂBennyвЂ™.вЂќД«ennett was an iconic player inspiring Wales during their golden era. There was no finer ambassador of Scarlets Rugby than Phil, a player respected across the rugby world, both during his career and long after he finished playing. He was an icon of our sport, a rugby superstar, but someone who always remembered his roots. Reflecting on BennettвЂ™s key role in Llanelli dominating the domestic scene, including four Welsh Cup successes in the 1970s, ScarletsвЂ™ executive chairman, Simon Muderack, said: вЂњWherever the Scarlets travel around the world, people mention the name Phil Bennett. The rallying cry worked as Wales won 14-9 in front of a frothing Cardiff crowd. He spoke of how his nation had been вЂњexploitedвЂќ by the English and how their larger neighbours had вЂњtaken our coal, our water, our steelвЂќ.

As captain of Wales in 1977, he gave a rousing speech before a clash with England.

#Deepest sword end series

He was captain for the tour to New Zealand three years later in a series the hosts won 3-1 but Bennett was again top scorer with 125 points. The tourists won 21 of their 22 matches and the Test series 3-0, with one game drawn. His first Lions tour was to South Africa in 1974 and he was at the heart of a team dubbed вЂњThe InvinciblesвЂќ. Bennett was born for the role and forged a scintillating union with Edwards at scrum-half. The statement quoted BennettвЂ™s former club captain and Wales and Lions teammate Delme Thomas, who said: вЂњHe was the best fly-half I have ever seen.вЂќ Bennett inherited the Welsh No 10 jersey from another legend, Barry John, who retired a year after orchestrating a Lions series win in New Zealand in 1971. Paying tribute on their website, the Scarlets said: вЂњA player with stardust in his boots, he possessed a sidestep that would mesmerise defenders вЂ“ his jinking run to spark вЂthe greatest try ever scoredвЂ™ for the Barbarians against New Zealand in Cardiff in 1973 will live long in rugby folklore.вЂќ He also captained the side for six years. Born in the village of Felinfoel near Llanelli on 24 October 1948, he made his debut for Llanelli RFC at 18 and would represent the club 413 times, accumulating 2,535 points across 15 seasons.