The 30-times capped Williams died today (29 October, 2020) at the age of 72. His death came a week after his brother, Peter, who played for and coached Maesteg, passed away.
Wales and Lions team mate, Sir Gareth Edwards
“JJ was a fierce competitor and a man who always held strong opinions. He brought those qualities with him from his athletics background, where he had been so successful before turning his attentions to rugby.
“One of my earliest memories of him was walking around the track in Belfast when I was competing for England in the British Schools athletics match. JJ was competing for Wales, along with Allan Martin, and as we marched in the parade before the event he turned to me and jokingly said ‘traitor’.
“Little did I know then then he and I, along with Allan, would share so many good times together on the rugby field. We also spent time together at Cardiff College of Education.
Gareth Edwards and JJ celebrate in South Africa
“When he moved to Porthcawl to live we used to train together before big matches under the street lights on the sea front. That would be after work and I’d always cheat a bit on the sprints, going before the gun and making him chase me.
“He was definitely one of the quickest, if not the quickest, rugby player I ever played with, but there was much more to his game than just his speed. He had played at outside half for the Welsh Schools, was a good kicker of the ball and possessed real guile.
“He was in his pomp with the British & Irish Lions in South Africa in 1974 and became a real favourite with the locals. Some of the tries he scored on that trip, especially in the second and third Test victories, were simply brilliant.
“He was great fun to have around the place, and easy to wind up on occasions. Because he was so quick we’d always try to beat him in the sprints over 50 metres that our coach Syd Millar asked us to do.
“We’d start before Syd ever said ’go’ and leave JJ in his blocks. He’d catch up with us and then give us a mouthful for cheating.
“He has to be ranked as one of the all-time great wings of the British game and his record with the Lions is incredible. We didn’t realise just how gravely ill he was for a while and his is a great loss to us all, and especially to his family.”
Athletics rival and Olympic gold medalist, Lynn Davies
“JJ was always very competitive in everything he did. We were rivals on the track and then when he came to Cardiff College of Education, where I was lecturing, we became training partners.
JJ Williams with Lynn Davies at a Welsh Sports Hall of Fame dinner
“At the Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh he ran in the 400 metres individual event before joining me in the 4 x 100 relay. Terry Davies led off, I took the second leg, handed the baton on to JJ and then Howard Davies finished off. We came fourth – just behind England!
“We worked together in 1987 when Wales were preparing to go to the inaugural Rugby World Cup. Tony Gray, another former Cardiff College of Education alumni, asked us to help work on the fitness of the Welsh squad and we worked on their strength, power and speed at the Arms Park.
“He was a great ambassador for Wales, Welsh rugby, Welsh Athletics and for Cardiff College of Education, now Cardiff Met. He could be very strong willed and opinionated, as those who watched him analyse rugby matches on BBC Wales radio and TV always found.
“His athletics lead was followed by all three of his children and I was in Helsinki to see Rhys win gold at the European Championships. A real chip off the old block, as are Kathryn and James.”
Former Llanelli and Wales tour team mate, Gareth Jenkins
“I was close to JJ when we were playing together at Llanelli and he was always a straight talking, full-on character. He hated losing and was one of the most competitive players around.
“But he was also great company off the field, and someone you wanted on your side on it. He was sensational for the British & Irish Lions in South African in 1974 and really was a world class player for Wales throughout his career.
Llanelli v New Zealand 1972
“Carwyn James spotted his talent when he played for Bridgend and wanted to have him in his team to face New Zealand in 1972. He persuaded him to join us and he remained loyal to Llanelli for the whole of his career.
“He scored 165 tries in 233 games for the club and, of course, played in the famous win over New Zealand. Carwyn always believed he could turn him into a great player and he was right.
“When he came to us he had not long finished his athletic career and knew what proper training was all about. He set the benchmark for us.
“One of my favourite pictures is of me playing for Wales on tour in Japan trying to keep up with JJ as he sprints away with the ball. Welsh rugby has lost a true great.”
