Jump to main content
1000 words

1000 Words: Round Two

Nearly a half century spans the contenders selected for round two of the 1000 Words competition as the search continues for the fans favourite rugby picture in the WRU’s archive.

The 1970s were a golden era for Welsh rugby on the international scene so it’s no surprise to see two pictures from 1972 stand out.

Share this page:

Delme Thomas was a hero on and off the pitch at Stradey Park and his image of being carried from the field after leading Llanelli to a famous 9-3 upset victory over New Zealand carries special significance for all Scarlets fans around the world to this day.

Thomas made a rousing pre-match team talk at the Ashburnham Hotel that geared his team up to do the near impossible against the mighty All Blacks. The huge upset led to poems and songs and is remembered as the day the pubs ran dry in Llanelli.

DFP – Leaderboard

In that same year, Wales legend Gareth Edwards was in his prime. He scored two tries against Scotland in a 35-12 victory but only one is constantly remembered. His solo effort from a kick and chase in atrocious conditions resulted in a mud-covered face after he dived on the ball and has often been described as one of the greatest solo tries in Welsh rugby.

The third picture up for consideration in round two is from 1996 when Pontypridd defeated Neath to claim their first major cup success.

Ponty cult figure Nigel Bezani led the celebrations in what has often been described as one of the best cup finals of all time. It proved a fitting finale for Bezani in his last season, finally retiring at 39 years of age.

Earning his 50th cap was a proud moment for prop Dai Young and what better way to celebrate than with your family?
Against Ireland in 2001, Young shared his milestone with his three sons Thomas, Lewis and Owen who were the match mascots. Owen and Lewis currently play for Ebbw Vale in the Indigo Group Premiership while Thomas plays for Wasps in the English Premiership.

In 2008 the final result may have gone the way it usually does against the All Blacks but Wales won the first battle when facing down the famed haka.

Ryan Jones stood from the front and challenged the All Blacks following a team meeting where Warren Gatland taught his team the significance of the haka and that the challenge is not over until the opposition walks away.

A packed Millennium Stadium roared louder as referee Jonathan Kaplan tried to get both teams to turn around but both sides refused leaving a lengthy Mexican stand-off between the two sides.

The picture with the most votes from this round will join the image of Gavin Henson’s match-winning kick against England in 2005, which claimed 61% of the votes from round one.


Partners and Suppliers

Principal Partners
Principality
Admiral
1000 Words: Round Two
Vodafone
Go.Compare
Official Broadcast Partners
S4C
BBC Cymru/Wales
Official Partners
Guinness
1000 Words: Round Two
1000 Words: Round Two
Heineken
1000 Words: Round Two
The Indigo Group
1000 Words: Round Two
Official Suppliers
Gilbert
1000 Words: Round Two
Rhino Rugby
Sportseen
1000 Words: Round Two
1000 Words: Round Two
Princes Gate
1000 Words: Round Two
Amber
Opro
Total Energies
Seat Unique
Nocco
Castell Howell
Glamorgan Brewing
Ted Hopkins
Hawes & Curtis
1000 Words: Round Two