Barry John: Great half for Wales and the Lions

Barry John was arguably the first rugby superstar and a mercurial player whose magic has been compared to football genius George Best.

Nicknamed ‘The King’ by New Zealand journalists after famously orchestrating the downfall of the All Blacks during the unforgettable Test series against the British and Irish Lions in 1971, John was rugby royalty in anyone’s tongue .

The son of a Carmarthenshire miner, John, who has died aged 79, enjoyed a brilliant career for Llanelli, Cardiff, Wales, the Lions and the Barbarians.

At international level, he lasted perhaps just six years before announcing his shock retirement, citing the pressures of fame and expectations as he retired before his 28th birthday.

But John’s impact on the sport could not be underestimated as an imperious half-six whose effortless ability to beat defenders against logic earned him great respect around the world.

In his autobiography, John’s famous half-back partner, Sir Gareth Edwards, wrote: “He (John) had this great facility in his mind, reducing problems to their simplest form, all the while supporting his own talent .

“One success on the pitch led to another and soon he achieved excellence that spread to others in the sideline.”

And Gerald Davies, another respected colleague with Wales and the Lions, said: “Even though the drive went on around him, he could separate himself.

“He kept his emotions in check and carefully restrained the action around him. The game would go according to his will and anyone else’s.”

Born in the village of Cefneithin to William and Vimy John, he was one of six children. All three brothers – Delville, Alan and Clive – played rugby.

John began his career at Llanelli, making his first team debut against Moseley two days before his 19th birthday in 1964. Two years later, the cap came to Wales and in 1967 he moved to Cardiff, where he started a partnership with Edwards quickly blossomed.

The Lions tours followed in 1968 and 1971, the latter being the only time New Zealand lost a Test series to the Lions.

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John scored 30 of the Lions’ 48 points over four Tests, and the flashy black and white TV pictures showed him in all his glory as a player who often acted as if from another planet like the Manchester United star.

Adulation naturally came with him – he came third in the 1971 BBC Sports Personality of the Year behind winner Princess Anne and runner-up Best – and took part in the corporation’s ‘Superstars’ program alongside names others such as Bobby Moore, Jackie Stewart, Joe. Bugner and Tony Jacklin.

Then, 25 caps into his Wales career and having played five Tests for the Lions, John called it a day.

He made his announcement in the Sunday Mirror newspaper, resigning at a time when he was the biggest name in the sport.

“I was rugby’s first pop star, a superstar, take what you will,” John said in an interview with Wales Online.

“I came third in BBC Sports Personality, and a month later I was the first rugby player to be the subject of ‘This is Your Life’. I was coming off the field against England at Twickenham and Eamonn Andrews is with his big red book.

“I didn’t want to retire, but those were the circumstances. People didn’t understand how you had to go to work, how you had to be fit for rugby at international level.

“I was getting lethargic, tired. You can’t be like that on the international stage, especially at number 10.

“The invitations flew thick and fast. I had no time for myself, I knew I wasn’t as sharp mentally or physically as I wanted to be.

“I was up there (North Wales) promoting the bank. There were young people outside, many people to greet me. I said a few words, and as I was introducing myself to someone, she curtsied. Not a big one, a little one, but curtsy nonetheless.

“He convinced me that this was not normal. I was becoming more and more isolated from real people. I didn’t need this anymore.”

Sean’s career may have been relatively short and sweet by today’s standards, but his legacy was one that most players could only dream of.

Wales won three Five Nations titles, a Grand Slam and two Triple Crowns during his time on the international stage, and stayed in rugby after playing, reporting and writing columns for the Daily Express and Wales Sunday.

John, who lived in Cardiff, is survived by his wife Janet and children Kathryn, Lucy, Anna and David.