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Phil Bennett: The Autobiography
The former Wales and Lions rugby captain has travelled the world watching rugby and talking about the game since his retirement in 1978. There is no more authoritative voice in rugby union today and Bennett’s book will tackle a host of issues dominating the sport in the modern era.
When Prince Charles watched Llanelli play the All Blacks on their last meeting in 1997, he claimed he had the best seat in the house – the one next to Phil Bennett.
Such is the esteem in which the ex Wales and Lions captain is held, it's no wonder his frank opinions and hard-hitting appraisal of the sport he lives and breathes continue to have as much impact now as they did when he was the world's premier fly-half in his seventies heyday.
In his book Bennett is scathing of the Welsh rugby administrators, poor standards of coaching and the failure to embrace new ideas. On a global level he has strong views on professional rugby and the rise of the European game.
This makes a fascinating contrast with Bennett's career as a player in the Seventies – the glory years of Welsh rugby – when the likes of Gareth Edwards, Gerald Davies and JPR Williams would dazzle the public with their breathtaking skills and scintillating tries. Bennett recalls how opportunism on the field was matched by bonhomie and revelry off it in the amateur days when pints took preference over practice.
Bennett continues to be heavily involved in rugby through his work for BBC TV. And his influence on the game remains to this day.
When Prince Charles watched Llanelli play the All Blacks on their last meeting in 1997, he claimed he had the best seat in the house – the one next to Phil Bennett.
Such is the esteem in which the ex Wales and Lions captain is held, it's no wonder his frank opinions and hard-hitting appraisal of the sport he lives and breathes continue to have as much impact now as they did when he was the world's premier fly-half in his seventies heyday.
In his book Bennett is scathing of the Welsh rugby administrators, poor standards of coaching and the failure to embrace new ideas. On a global level he has strong views on professional rugby and the rise of the European game.
This makes a fascinating contrast with Bennett's career as a player in the Seventies – the glory years of Welsh rugby – when the likes of Gareth Edwards, Gerald Davies and JPR Williams would dazzle the public with their breathtaking skills and scintillating tries. Bennett recalls how opportunism on the field was matched by bonhomie and revelry off it in the amateur days when pints took preference over practice.
Bennett continues to be heavily involved in rugby through his work for BBC TV. And his influence on the game remains to this day.
326 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 1, 2003
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
March 23, 2024
I borrowed this book from the library using the online system so was under pressure to read it in the allotted time.
In the first chapters I thought I was reading a book written about the decline and poor state of Welsh Rugby by someone who felt they had missed out.
But as you go deeper into the book you realise that it is a good book, a very good book, by one of all time greats of the game. There are plenty of laughs here as well as an insiders perspective of the Llanelli win over the All Blacks, the 74 Lions tour to South Africa and the great Welsh teams of the 70s.
A well written biography that will appeal to all rugby fans.
In the first chapters I thought I was reading a book written about the decline and poor state of Welsh Rugby by someone who felt they had missed out.
But as you go deeper into the book you realise that it is a good book, a very good book, by one of all time greats of the game. There are plenty of laughs here as well as an insiders perspective of the Llanelli win over the All Blacks, the 74 Lions tour to South Africa and the great Welsh teams of the 70s.
A well written biography that will appeal to all rugby fans.
September 1, 2019
Exceptional knowledge of the game. Phil Bennett has a wealth of experience at the very highest level. A great read. Thank you Phil. 👍👌
March 22, 2020
I learned despite his assurances to the contrary, Phil Bennett wishes he played rugby in the professional era and had he done that, he would've been bloody marvellous. Bitching aside, I did find it interesting and have forwarded it on to my father-in-law if only to stop him reading about Byzantine Generals and igneous rock. Not in the same book you understand, although that would be a-may-zing
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews