John Bevan (rugby player born 1948)
Encyclopedia
John David Bevan was a Welsh international Rugby Union player, one of two John Bevans who played for Wales during the 1970s.
Bevan was born in Neath. He played for Aberavon RFC
, the British Lions
and The Barbarians
.
Bevan formed a formidable club half back partnership with Clive Shell
. He was a player who was able to get the most out of players playing outside of him due to his natural ability. During his playing career he rivalled Phil Bennett
for the Welsh No 10 position. Bennett originally held the place but the club performances of Bevan put him in the ascendancy during the 1974-5 season.
A fly half, capped four times for Wales, he won his first cap against France in Paris in January 1975, following a sound performance playing for The Barbarians
in the drawn game (12-12) against the touring All Blacks
at Twickenham
the previous month. During the Paris test, he was one of five Welsh players making their debut (Trevor Evans, Graham Price
, Ray Gravell
and Steve Fenwick
being the others. Wales won for the first time in Paris for many years by 25–12pts with Bevan producing a remarkable try saving tackle.
England were the next opponents for the unchanged Welsh and were hammered 20–4 at Cardiff Arms Park. Next up were Scotland at Murrayfield where Bevan sustained a dislocated shoulder. He was replaced by Bennett and Wales lost the match 12–10. Bevan’s season was over.
In the 1975-6 season Bevan won his place back and was selected to face the touring Wallabies
in Cardiff
. His ability to make space for others resulted in Wales winning the fixture 28-3. JJ Williams, scoring three tries.
Bevan was picked for the first Four Nations international against England ,with the young David Richards on the bench, remarkably at the expense of Bennett who was omitted from the squad. In a twist of fate, both Bevan and Richards obtained injuries and Bennett was recalled. Wales beat England and went on to win the Grand Slam. Bevan never played for his country again.
Bevan, a schoolteacher at Dyffryn Comprehensive at Port Talbot
toured New Zealand
with the British Lions
on their 1977 tour but did not play in any of the internationals against the All Blacks
, although, due to a dip in form of the tour captain Phil Bennett, many thought he should have been picked for the final test. Bevan was one of three Aberavon players to make the 1977 tour, Allan Martin
lock and Clive Williams
prop being the others.
After his playing career was cut short by his shoulder injury, he coached Aberavon RFC
and then the Wales national side from 1982 to 1985. He was forced to retire on the grounds of ill health.
Bevan was also a fine cricketer, and represented his country as an opening batsman.
He died of cancer aged thirty-eight in 1986, survived by his wife Judith, a son and a daughter.
Bevan was born in Neath. He played for Aberavon RFC
Aberavon RFC
Aberavon RFC is a rugby union club located in the Welsh town of Port Talbot, although the club's name refers to the older settlement of Aberavon which lies on the western side of the town...
, the British Lions
British Lions
British Lions may refer to:*Lions , the lion is a traditional symbol of Great Britain, although it also used as a symbol in various other cultures* British Lions , a 1978 album by former members of Mott the Hoople and Medicine Head...
and The Barbarians
The Barbarians
The Barbarians were an American garage band of the 1960s with a few nationally charted hits. They had their biggest hit with the novelty single "Are You a Boy or Are You a Girl?".-History:...
.
Bevan formed a formidable club half back partnership with Clive Shell
Clive Shell
Clive Shell is a former Welsh international rugby union player. Shell made his debut for the Wales national rugby union team 10 November 1973 against Australia where he kissed the ball on his first touch while putting the ball into a scrum...
. He was a player who was able to get the most out of players playing outside of him due to his natural ability. During his playing career he rivalled Phil Bennett
Phil Bennett
Phillip Bennett was a Welsh international rugby union fly half from 1969 to 1978. His flair and range of tricks, including his famous sidestep and swerve, meant he was a firm favourite with crowds.-Rugby career:...
for the Welsh No 10 position. Bennett originally held the place but the club performances of Bevan put him in the ascendancy during the 1974-5 season.
A fly half, capped four times for Wales, he won his first cap against France in Paris in January 1975, following a sound performance playing for The Barbarians
The Barbarians
The Barbarians were an American garage band of the 1960s with a few nationally charted hits. They had their biggest hit with the novelty single "Are You a Boy or Are You a Girl?".-History:...
in the drawn game (12-12) against the touring All Blacks
All Blacks
The New Zealand men's national rugby union team, known as the All Blacks, represent New Zealand in what is regarded as its national sport....
at Twickenham
Twickenham Stadium
Twickenham Stadium is a stadium located in Twickenham, in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. It is the largest rugby union stadium in the United Kingdom and has recently been enlarged to seat 82,000...
the previous month. During the Paris test, he was one of five Welsh players making their debut (Trevor Evans, Graham Price
Graham Price
Graham Price MBE is a former Welsh rugby union player who won 41 caps for as a prop forward.- Education :...
, Ray Gravell
Ray Gravell
Raymond William Robert "Ray" Gravell was a Welsh rugby union centre who played club rugby for Llanelli RFC. At international level Gravell earned 23 caps for Wales and was selected for the 1980 British Lions tour to South Africa.In his later career he would become a respected broadcaster and...
and Steve Fenwick
Steve Fenwick
Steven Paul Fenwick is a former rugby union and professional rugby league footballer of the 1970s and 80s, who at representative level has played rugby union for Wales, and at club level has played for Bridgend RFC, playing at Centre, i.e...
being the others. Wales won for the first time in Paris for many years by 25–12pts with Bevan producing a remarkable try saving tackle.
England were the next opponents for the unchanged Welsh and were hammered 20–4 at Cardiff Arms Park. Next up were Scotland at Murrayfield where Bevan sustained a dislocated shoulder. He was replaced by Bennett and Wales lost the match 12–10. Bevan’s season was over.
In the 1975-6 season Bevan won his place back and was selected to face the touring Wallabies
Wallabies
A wallaby is the informal name for any of about thirty species of Australian animal.Wallaby may also refer to:* Wallaby ammunition carrier, a variant of the Canadian Ram tank* Wallaby , Japanese fantasy manga...
in Cardiff
Cardiff
Cardiff is the capital, largest city and most populous county of Wales and the 10th largest city in the United Kingdom. The city is Wales' chief commercial centre, the base for most national cultural and sporting institutions, the Welsh national media, and the seat of the National Assembly for...
. His ability to make space for others resulted in Wales winning the fixture 28-3. JJ Williams, scoring three tries.
Bevan was picked for the first Four Nations international against England ,with the young David Richards on the bench, remarkably at the expense of Bennett who was omitted from the squad. In a twist of fate, both Bevan and Richards obtained injuries and Bennett was recalled. Wales beat England and went on to win the Grand Slam. Bevan never played for his country again.
Bevan, a schoolteacher at Dyffryn Comprehensive at Port Talbot
Port Talbot
Port Talbot is a town in Neath Port Talbot, Wales. It had a population of 35,633 in 2001.-History:Port Talbot grew out of the original small port and market town of Aberafan , which belonged to the medieval Lords of Afan. The area of the parish of Margam lying on the west bank of the lower Afan...
toured New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
with the British Lions
British Lions
British Lions may refer to:*Lions , the lion is a traditional symbol of Great Britain, although it also used as a symbol in various other cultures* British Lions , a 1978 album by former members of Mott the Hoople and Medicine Head...
on their 1977 tour but did not play in any of the internationals against the All Blacks
All Blacks
The New Zealand men's national rugby union team, known as the All Blacks, represent New Zealand in what is regarded as its national sport....
, although, due to a dip in form of the tour captain Phil Bennett, many thought he should have been picked for the final test. Bevan was one of three Aberavon players to make the 1977 tour, Allan Martin
Allan Martin
Allan Jeffery Martin is a former Aberavon RFC and Welsh international rugby union player. He was noted for his long distance goal-kicking.-Biography:...
lock and Clive Williams
Clive Williams
Clive Williams is a former international rugby union player. He toured twice with the British and Irish Lions, to New Zealand in 1977 and to South Africa in 1980....
prop being the others.
After his playing career was cut short by his shoulder injury, he coached Aberavon RFC
Aberavon RFC
Aberavon RFC is a rugby union club located in the Welsh town of Port Talbot, although the club's name refers to the older settlement of Aberavon which lies on the western side of the town...
and then the Wales national side from 1982 to 1985. He was forced to retire on the grounds of ill health.
Bevan was also a fine cricketer, and represented his country as an opening batsman.
He died of cancer aged thirty-eight in 1986, survived by his wife Judith, a son and a daughter.