He had an all embracing and wonderfully perceptive vision of rugby, producing in the late 60s and early 70s a version of rugby which broke the mould of what up to that moment was acceptable in the playing of the game. As a result the word ‘expansive’ entered rugby’s lexicon to describe the kind of game he imagined and put into practice, first of all with like- minded people at London Welsh at Old Deer Park.
John was educated at Lewis School Pengam and then later at Aberystwyth University and Loughborough College. Having started out with Newbridge, it was across the border at London Welsh that he really made his mark on the game.
As a player he was a centre three-quarter of subtle and exquisite skill. To be candid he was not a player who immediately caught the eye with dazzling speed or extrovert skills in the way a midfield player of those days was expected to be.
He had the full range of rugby’s basic skills and fine judgement, from which others in the main benefited. He was a catalyst who made things work for those players around him like, for example, the timing of a pass – which would be master class for many a player today.
The knowing ‘how’ to pass, the ‘when’ to pass and ‘where’ in a movement to do so; to give a pass at the right speed and at the right time. The little accurate things which accumulatively add up to great deal.
In all ‘Syd’ ( the name to which he was known to his regular colleagues) did, timing was all. As a winger outside him on the field I benefited from having him inside me and to receive the perfectly aimed ball from him.
Old Deer Park drew capacity crowds whenever the London Welsh played there.
The basic rugby philosophy was ‘attack’ with speed, invention, so as to give every player an opportunity to show what they were capable of.
Fifteen players on the field had his contribution to make. Syd created a world of possibilities and chances.
The London Welsh became the best team in the land. The ‘expansive’ style was also a ‘winning’ style so long as it was accurate, the skills well-honed and equal to what was required at the moment. If you wanted to understand what Syd’s thoughts on the game were, watch the London Welsh play.
With Clive Rowlands as coach this style became Wales’ too and, with Carwyn James, of the 1971 Lions in New Zealand. All three were of like-minded.
Wales’ men influenced others elsewhere. Playing rugby which was hugely thrilling and eminently watchable, it pleased the eye as well as the mind. People enjoyed what they saw. As captain his style was one of encouragement and persuasion, cajoling players to be at their best, and no finger-wagging authoritarian sergeant major.
He also had the essential quality as captain that whilst involved in the intense competition of the contest, he could, like a drone, rise up above the hustle and bustle and have an overview of the ebb and flow of the match and to guide his team accordingly; of the game but also above it.
It was for me a privilege to have been in the company of a truly great rugby man and to have played with his scintillating style of rugby.
Our sympathy goes out to his family.
Gerald Davies
WRU President
