Today, older now than the game was then, Jones still holds the record for the quickest score by a Wales forward – although Ieuan Evans’ effort from the wing after just 45 seconds against Japan in Cardiff in 1988, took over his overall mantle.
Born on the 24th November 1933, the three-times capped back row from Garndiffaith celebrates his 85th birthday today and will be present with his family at Wales’ clash with South Africa at Principality Stadium.
And, don’t tell him, but the Welsh Rugby Union have a surprise in store – his daughter Judith Jones has been in touch and arranged to show the footage of his ‘blink and you’ll miss it try’ on stadium big screens.
Every black and white grainy second of it, complete with Cliff Morgan commentary, will be played out during the half-time interval in the England versus Australia game, which features on the big screens as a curtain raiser to the main event.
England take on the Wallabies at 3pm and, if that’s not enough incentive to take your seat early, don’t miss Jones’ return to the scene of his spectacular 1963 feat soon after 3.40pm.
“My father attends all international Matches at the Principality Stadium and will be there again on his 85th birthday to watch Wales face South Africa,” said Miss Jones.
“I knew there was footage of the match my father scored the fastest try in, as I obtained a copy from the BBC in 1994 to play out on a video player.
“He had never seen his own try as there was never any action replays or repeats of the match and he was overjoyed to see it.
“It’s come as fantastic news to us that the WRU have been able to find the footage to play on the big screens, I’m over the moon but not telling dad as I would like it to be a huge surprise for him.
“What an honour it will be for him to watch his try at such an incredible stadium and the first time he will ever see it on the big screen.”
The Times report for the game in 1963 in which Graham Jones scored says the following:
“The ball was not greasy enough to stop ideas of adventure, and a minute after the kick-off Wales were the first to
show it, when D.R.R Morgan kicked ahead after a little scamper along the blindside touchline, and G.Jones flashed through an unadjusted Irish defence for a startling follow-up and try.”
Wales eventually lost the game to the Five Nations clash to the Irish by 16 points to 4, this was Jones’ second cap, he was part of the side which beat Scotland 6-0 a month earlier, but would only feature on one more occasion for his country – a 5-3 away loss to France.
In the team alongside Jones were the likes of Dai Watkins, Clive Rowlands and Kingsley Jones and on the opposition were Willie John McBryde, Syd Millar and Tom Keirnan.
More recently Welshman Dafydd Howells scored a try for Wales U20 v Fiji at the Junior World Championships in New Zealand within 7 seconds of the start in 2014, this is arguably the fastest try of all-time.
John Leslie scored for Scotland against Wales within 10 seconds of the kick-off at Murrayfield in 1999.
