The Grogg Blog: Gareth Edwards - The Top Grogg

Photograph Courtesy of The World of Groggs

When it comes to being Grogged, you probably fall into one of four categories:

1. Never Grogged
2. Grogged Once
3. Grogged More Than Once
4. Gareth Edwards

Gareth Owen Edwards CBE was born in Pontardawe, Wales in 1947. The former Wales International Scrum Half can only be described in one way and that is as a Legend, even being billed as the greatest ever player to pull on a Welsh Jersey.

In fact Gareth was voted the greatest player of all time in a 2003 poll published by Rugby World Magazine and was even voted number 1 in the 50 greatest rugby players article by former England Captain Will Carling, a huge compliment given the players that have been and gone but a deserved one nonetheless.

After winning his first International Cap for Wales at the age of 19 in April 1967 against France, Gareth went on to achieve a number of huge accolades during his 11 year International Career. Throughout his 53 Caps for Wales, Edwards was named the youngest ever captain at the age of just 20, a true sign of his talent and matureness and he was instrumental in helping Wales to 7 Five Nations Championship Titles, 3 of which were Grandslams, only 1 of small group of players ever to achieve this.

A loyal servant to both Cardiff RFC and his beloved Wales, Gareth also featured for the likes of the British and Irish Lions featuring in the victorious Lions of 1971 in New Zealand and the unbeaten tour of South Africa in 1974. As well as achieving 10 Caps for the British Lions, Gareth also turned out for the Barbarians and in the process was instrumental in the creation of a truly iconic moment in Rugby history.

1973, Cardiff Arms Park, Wales. Gareth Edwards lines up for the Barbarians against some truly formidable opposition, the New Zealand All Blacks, the World was about to see what was later voted the Greatest Try of All Time.

The move begins with England Captain John Pullin throwing the ball in at the lineout for the Barbarians, the ball pops loose and Willie John McBride scrambles to retain possession for the Barbarians but the ball is won back by New Zealand. A kick down field lands in the arms of JPR Williams who has a little run with the ball and kicks it just as he is tackled around the head. New Zealand Scrum Half Sid Going picks up the loose ball and charges forwards before being tackled the ball is released and picked up by New Zealand Captain Kirkpatrick prior to being thrown to Wiliams on the wing, the ball is kicked deep into the Barbarians half and picked up by Phil Bennett just before his own line.

Bennett charges up the field evading 3 tackles in the process just before offloading the ball to Welsh International colleague JPR Williams. The ball then passes through the hands of John Dawes and England Captain Pullin before Tom David receives the ball and carries it to the halfway line before handing off to Derek Quinnell. It's Quinnell who spots Edwards charging down the wing to his left he throws the ball to him and Edwards is off racing forward, then finally diving across the line, to score a Try in the left hand corner despite the efforts of the All Blacks to stop him.

This magical moment of Rugby history was inspiration for one of the iconic Groggs produced by the World of Groggs, aptly featuring the inscription "A Dramatic Start" echoing the words uttered by the commentator on the day.

Photograph Courtesy of The World of Groggs

This of course isn't the only Grogg of Gareth produced by the shop. In fact Gareth has been produced numerous times over the history of the shop and it's fair to say he is probably the most Grogged player ever, in addition to this he was also the first ever "Named" player to be produced after a long succession of generic Grogg Rugby figurines.

From early hollow pieces, through to minis, modern 9 inch, action pieces, busts and even a place on Mount Groggmore, Gareth Groggs have continued to be as popular as the man himself. These fantastic representations of the Greatest Rugby Player of All Time have graced the shelves of the shop for over 40 years now, they have taken pride of place in many a collection and will no doubt continue to do so for years to come. Below are just a few of the Groggs produced by the World of Groggs featuring Gareth Edwards, hope you enjoy this little flashback!