Gwyn Rowlands has died in Hertfordshire at the age of 81. Dr Rowlands was a member of the Cardiff and Wales teams that beat New Zealand in the space of five weeks in 1953.
Born and educated in Berkhamsted he had dual qualifications for both England and Wales at international level and played in two trials for England in 1948-49 before accepting invitations to also play in two Wales trial matches the following season.
While on national service he was stationed at St Athan and eventually joined Cardiff in 1951. He quickly established himself as a goal-kicking wing and went on to top 100 points in a season twice – much rarer in that era than it is today – and finished with a career record of 66 tries in 99 matches for the Blue & Blacks as well as the vice-captaincy in 1955-56.
In the club’s epic 8-3 victory over the All Blacks it was his cross-kick that set up the first try for Sid Judd, which he then converted.
Shortly afterwards he raced 30 yards up the right touchline for the crucial second try. His performance won him the first of his four Wales caps against the same opposition and again he made a major contribution with a penalty goal and two conversions as Wales triumphed 13-8.
