Two coaches were honoured, New Zealand’s Fred Allen – who took the All Blacks to great heights in the late Sixties – and Scotland’s Ian McGeechan, plotter of the Lions’ victories in Australia (1989) and South Africa (1997). McGeechan also supervised the Lions’ unbeaten midweek team in New Zealand this summer.
Keith Wood, Andre Boniface, Fred Allen, Naas Botha, Grant Fox, Dave Gallaher, Ian McGeechan and are 2005’s other inductees. Their inclusion took place at the fifth biennial induction dinner in London, and Bennett says he is “so proud” by his induction into the International Rugby Hall of Fame.
“It’s a great list – they’re legends of the game,” Bennett told BBC Sport. Felinfoel-born Bennett, 57, succeeded Barry John in the Wales and Lions fly-half jersey. He won 29 caps in a nine-year Test career, scoring four tries and 166 points.
Bennett and Edwards starred in the undefeated Lions tour of South Africa in 1974, and Bennett went on to captain the Lions on their 1977 tour of New Zealand. He also played a key role in the Barbarians’ defeat of New Zealand in the famous 1973 game in Cardiff, instigating the Edwards try that is regarded by many as the greatest of all time.
“I was so proud to get a letter from the hall of fame’s chairman Cliff Morgan, one of the greatest Welshmen of all time,” he said. “To be inducted alongside the likes of Wales’ Gareth Edwards, Gerald Davies and Mervyn Davies is such an honour.
“Then there are the world greats like Serge Blanco, Frik du Preez and Colin Meads – in my mind the greatest rugby player of all time alongside Edwards.
“It makes me feel very humble when I think back to my days playing for Felinfoel Youth, Llanelli schoolboys, my beloved Scarlets and Wales.
“One name already on the list also really stands out for me personally – Carwyn James, the greatest coach who ever lived.
“Rugby has been very kind to me and I will be so proud to have my family with me at the ceremony, rubbing shoulders with the greats of the game.”
Rugby’s Hall of Fame Existing members:
Bill Beaumont (England)
Serge Blanco (France)
Gordon Brown (Scotland)
Ken Catchpole, David Campese (both Australia)
Don Clarke (New Zealand)
Danie Craven (South Africa)
Gerald Davies, Mervyn Davies (both Wales)
Morne du Plessis, Frik du Preez (both South Africa)
Mark Ella (Australia)
Gareth Edwards (Wales)
Nick Farr-Jones (Australia)
Sean Fitzpatrick (New Zealand)
Mike Gibson (Ireland)
Gavin Hastings (Scotland)
Tim Horan (Australia)
Andy Irvine (Scotland)
Carwyn James, Barry John (both Wales)
Michael Jones, Ian Kirkpatrick, John Kirwan (all New Zealand)
Jack Kyle (Ireland)
Brian Lochore (New Zealand)
Michael Lynagh (Australia)
Willie-John McBride (Ireland)
Bill McLaren (Scotland)
Jo Maso (France)
Colin Meads (New Zealand)
Syd Millar (Ireland)
Cliff Morgan (Wales)
Hennie Muller (South Africa)
George Nepia (New Zealand)
Tony O’Reilly (Ireland)
Hugo Porta (Argentina)
Jean Prat (France)
Jean-Pierre Rives, Philippe Sella (both France)
Wavell Wakefield (England)
Wilson Whineray (New Zealand)
JPR Williams (Wales)
