Welsh Rugby star back in form

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 34031, 20 December 1975, Page 4

Welsh Rugby star back in form

'Bp N.Z.P.A. correspondent. NEIL DI BBS)

LONDON. The Welsh Rugby five-eighths. Phil Bennett. will be back with

a vengeance when he plays against the Australians in today’s international at Cardiff Arms Park. Bennett, once rated the best in the world in his position, looks as though he has pulled back front the abyss of football disinterest which marked his game earlier this year. The curly-haired Llanelli pivot declined astonishingly, losing yards of pace, his pinpoint goalkicking skills and his leadership qualities in calling the backline moves for Wales and his club. But there were reasons — one cruel year of reasons. First, cutbacks in Welsh steel production made his job redundant. He was picked and then dropped by Wales for the lesser talents, but greater reliability of John Bevan. Out of work and miserable, the 26-year-old Bennett and his wife, Pat, considered emigrating to South Africa or Australia. And worst of all, his baby son, Stewart, died a few hours after being born. Bennett, a shy introvert, continued to play football but suddenly lost all form and ambition. He had to console his wife and hide his own feelings at the same time. “I had to make sure she didn’t catch me crying” he said. “I had already lost a son, I didn’t want to lose a wife as well. She was shattered. I’d only held the baby in my arms briefly, but she had carried him for months”. After these setbacks, Bennett drifted aimlessly through Rugby for months. It was not until June this year — during a social game —that he discovered he enjoyed playing again. He made up his mind to return into the top strata of Rugby. He dug out his running spikes and

launched into a Spartan programme to improve his pace. Bennett cut out playing midweek cricket during the summer. instead concentrating on a weightlifting schedule to develop his strength. By the start of pre-season training with Llanelli he was stronger and fitter than ever. The Welsh tour of Japan in September saw a vast improvement in his play and he rediscovered an electrifying pace over 40 yards he had not had since his days as a schoolboy sprinter. His wife's second pregnancy, meanwhile. progressed well and in October, Bennett finally found a job — working as a representative with a brewing firm. Two weeks ago, Pat gave birth to another boy. A team of specialists stood waiting this time, but there was no sign of the heart defect which caused the death of their first son. Thus, with his worries resolved, Bennett concentrated on his Rugby — and opponents all over Britain have noticed the results. ‘‘He has always been a dangerous player.” said England wing Derek Wyatt. “Now he has perception as well”. “He’s so confident in his ability to beat the defence. When he’s like that you can't help being more confident yourself,” said nelli full-back. Clive Griffiths. “He makes me feel 50 per cent happier when he is playing. The Wallabies met Bennett when they drew with Llanelli early in their tour. They recognised his skills, but thought he wilted under pressure. They would be wise to cramp the new and improved Phil Bennett today. Since that first meeting he has become far more confident and has been making greater use of his undoubted skills. »