Bennett was a key figure in Welsh rugby’s second ‘Golden Era’ in the 1970s and played a significant role in his country winning two Grand Slams in 1976 and 1978 and four successive Triple Crowns.
The Llanelli outside half cemented his name into rugby folklore with his performances on the unbeaten British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa in 1974 and by starting what is widely regarded as the greatest try ever scored by Gareth Edwards for the Barbarians against New Zealand in 1973.
Former Wales wing Davies was the beneficiary of Bennett’s magic on several occasions, and the man from Felinfoel ironically become the first replacement used in international rugby by Wales when he replaced the injured Davies on the wing against France in 1969.
“As I’m sure everybody realises, Phil Bennett was such a special player,” said Davies.
“He brought to the game extra dimensions that we all loved to look at – his attacking style, his speed, his agility, and particularly his magical sidestep.
“He was also a very good tactician and a very good kicker of the ball,” said Davies.
“Not many people emphasise how clever he was with his kicks tactically. He was also a lovely companion and good company.
“He was modest, witty, clever, and a good storyteller. He was all of those things, but in the end what you are talking about is a really good man.”
Famed for his ankle-snapping sidesteps, his range of passing and his tactical genius, Bennett epitomised the adventurous attacking prowess of Welsh rugby in the halcyon days of the 1970s.
Born in the Carmarthenshire village of Felinfoel on 24 October, 1948, Bennett’s father Les worked in the local steelworks until he suffered an industrial accident. His mother Mary worked at a car-pressing plant to make ends meet as the young Bennett, and step-brother Oliver, heard Les recite tales of his beloved Llanelli RFC.
Bennett was often sickly as a child and his father was told on one hospital visit that his diminutive son would “never have the physique to play rugby.”
So, football seemed a better option and Bennett’s performances for Llanelli Schoolboys drew admiring glances from several clubs and a contract offer from Swansea Town.
However, Bennett chose to play rugby with his friends at Felinfoel Youth and soon developed under the coaching genius of the legendary Carwyn James at Llanelli, where he spent 16 successful years making 413 appearances and scoring 2,532 points before becoming club President.
Perhaps his proudest moment came on Halloween 1972 when he was the architect of Llanelli’s famous 9-3 victory over the All Blacks at his beloved Stradey Park.
“It’s well known that we beat the All Blacks down at Stradey Park in 1972 but it wasn’t Llanelli that beat the All Blacks it was Phil Bennett who beat the All Blacks,” said Delme Thomas, Llanelli’s captain on that famous day.
“It was a great honour to play alongside him for 10 years. When I came back from the 1971 Lions tour the great Barry John retired, and everybody thought Welsh rugby was finished but up came this boy from Felinfoel, and he never looked back.
“When I think of great outside halves who have played the game I think of Phil Bennett. I played with some great players in my time, but he was the best of them all.”
As was alluded to by Thomas perhaps the greatest challenge and success of Bennett’s career was stepping out of the shadow of Barry John, the man they called the “King.”
Yet for as long as rugby is played whenever anyone utters the word side-step it will be synonymous with Bennett playing his part in launching that audacious try against the All Blacks for the Baa-Baas.
After recovering the ball near his own try-line, Bennett evaded four All Blacks to start the move which led to Edwards’ length-of-the-field score. He also used his side-step to round off the try for Wales at Murrayfield in 1977 that has since be voted as the favourite try by Welsh fans in a WRU poll.
Bennett’s form earned him selection for the Lions’ tour of South Africa in 1974, and he was at the heart of what was regarded as the greatest rugby tour in history. The tourists won 21 of their 22 matches and the Test series 3-0, with one game drawn.
That squad, led by Willie John McBride became known as ‘The Invincibles’. Bennett played in 11 games and scored 103 points.
“He was to rugby what Botham was to cricket, Cruyff to football and Nastase to tennis. He had a certain magic, an undefinable quality. He had the audacity to attempt the unusual and to lift spectators out of their seats,” said McBride.
Bennett played a key role in Wales’ 1976 Grand Slam success and became captain after Mervyn Davies suffered a brain hemorrhage while playing for his club side Swansea. Although mild-mannered and thoughtful, Bennett’s pre-game pep-talk before a Five Nations match against England in Cardiff in 1977 stirred Welsh passions and passed into rugby folklore.
“Look what these bastards have done to Wales. They’ve taken our coal, our water, our steel. They buy our homes and live in them for a fortnight every year. What have they given us? Absolutely nothing. We’ve been exploited, raped, controlled and punished by the English – and that’s who you are playing this afternoon,” said Bennett.
Phil Bennett scores a try for Wales against France
Bennett was given the ultimate rugby honour when he was named captain for the Lions’ 1977 tour of New Zealand. But taking on this most important of jobs proved to be one of the biggest regrets of his career. The Lions ended up losing the test series 3-1 but prior to the tour Bennett, and his wife, Pat, suffered heartbreak when they lost their son Stuart just 24 hours after his birth.
The Lions lost a tight series 3-1, but won 21 of their 26 games. Bennett scored 125 points in 15 games to take over from Bob Hiller as the leading points scorer in Lions history at that time with 228.
Bennett saved arguably his best performance until last with a two-try masterclass as Wales secured the Grand Slam with a 16-7 victory over France in 1978. Bennett retired with 210 points in 37 Tests – 29 for Wales and eight in a row for the Lions.
He was awarded an OBE in 1979 for services to rugby and inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame and included on the Welsh Sports Hall of Fame’s ‘Roll of Honour’. More recently, he unveiled a statue of himself in his home-town of Felinfoel.
After hanging up his boots he also carved out a hugely successful career in the media, becoming a newspaper columnist and a well-respected broadcaster. He was also a favourite on the after dinner speaking circuit.
The WRU sends heartfelt condolences and thanks to Phil Bennett’s wife, Pat, and their two sons, Steven and James, as well as his other family and friends.
