One of the greatest goalkickers of his era, the Llanhilleth born full back won three caps for Wales in 1960, famously converting a try by skipper Onllwyn Brace off the touch line at Lansdowne Road to earn Wales a dramatic 11-10 win over Ireland.
He scored in every game he played for his country and twice broke the Newport club record for points in a season, taking it up to 165 in his debut campaign of 1955-56 and then 167 in 1959-60. His 951 career points was also a club record at the time.
Having learned his rugby at Llanhilleth Secondary School and Llanhilleth RFC, Morgan went to Rodney Parade for a trial ahead of the 1955-56 season at the age of 20. He became an immediate hit, making his debut against Penarth on 3 September 1955.
The trusty left-footed, straight-on goalkicker scored in all bar three of his 35 appearances that season in a superb side led by Malcolm Thomas that ended as the champion club in Wales. He eclipsed the club points record, held by Ben Edwards with 159 in 1950-51, and ended with 31 wins and a draw.
After such a dramatic start to his first-class career, Morgan went on to top the 100 points mark in each of his next four seasons and helped Newport to beat the touring Australians 11-0 at Rodney Parade on 23 November 1957.
He helped Monmouthshire win the Welsh Counties Cup at the first attempt in 1956 and played more than 10 times for the county. He also played for Crawshay’s Welsh, the British Army of the Rhine while doing his National Service with the South Wales Borderers, and the Barbarians.
His international call-up came in the second round of the 1960 Five Nations championship after England had triumphed 14-6 over Wales at Twickenham. Terry Davies was dropped and Morgan, who had been a reserve for the games against Scotland, Ireland and France the previous season, was finally given his chance to shine at full back.
He grabbed his opportunity with both hands as he joined Fenton Coles as the new caps in the home side. He converted a try by Dewi Bebb and added a penalty to secure an 8-0 victory.
Better was to come in Dublin when his touchline conversion late in the game made it back-to-back victories. His final appearance for Wales came on his 25th birthday against France at the Arms Park. There was no fairytale ending as the visitors scored four tries in a convincing 16-8 win that featured another penalty and conversion from Morgan.
A bad knee injury brought a premature end to his career despite an operation. He hung up his boots in the 1962-63 season, making his 210th and final appearance in Black & Amber in a defeat to Pontypool on 17 October 1962.
He worked as a steelworker and in retirement went to live in Haverfordwest. He was inducted into the Newport RFC ‘Hall of Fame’ in 2016.
In an interview with a Pembrokeshire newspaper shortly after being honoured by Newport, Edwards talked about his time at the club and with Wales.
“I had the card informing me of my selection on the Monday before the game and after what seemed a lifetime Friday arrived. I caught the service bus to Cardiff, and we were taken by bus to Glamorgan Wanderers for a gentle run out before I caught the bus back home,” recalled Edwards.
“On Saturday morning, I caught the 10.10am bus from Llanhilleth with my boots and a few other pieces in my kit bag. We all had a light lunch together in the Royal Hotel before I walked across to the Arms Park with winger Dewi Bebb.
“We had a gentle warm-up where we threw balls to each other and stood just where we happened to be for the National Anthems. That was a moment I will never forget because the hair on my neck literally stood on end!
“We won 8-0 against Scotland thanks to a try at the posts by Dewi (worth three points in those distant days), which I converted to go with a penalty.
“Winning was wonderful and we were presented with our caps at the formal dinner. I had to get my father Eddie, a former Powderhall pro sprinter, to come down to pick me up because the last bus had gone.”
They were very different times to today and Morgan twice almost fell foul of the strict amateur regulations.
“I once kicked four penalties, all from half way, to help Newport beat Cardiff 12-8. Afterwards I was interviewed by Cliff Morgan for the BBC – and was paid five guineas for my time,” said Morgan.
“But when the Hon Sec of the WRU heard about it I received a sharp call from head office to say I had to donate it to charity. I gave it to the delighted local OAP club and had to send the receipt to WRU secretary immediately.
“I then had a man call at my house who was a rugby league scout. I ushered him rudely out of the door as he was telling me he was from Bradford Northern.
“I thought I heard a sum of £4,500 mentioned, and my mother really told me off for being rude, especially since that money would have paid for a house in our village, a new car and plenty left over for a rainy day.
“Again, I had to inform the WRU who warned me about any further approaches.”
The WRU sends sincere condolences to the family and friends of Norman Morgan.
Norman Henry Morgan: 3 caps; Cap No: 649. B: 26.03.1935 in Llanhilleth. D: 17.05.2024
