R.I.P. John Pullin (1941-2021)
I was saddened yesterday to hear news of the death at the age of 79 of former England rugby captain John Pullin. The name is familiar to me from my youth – he was England captain when I started to learn how to play rugby at the grammar school I went to, but will also be familiar anyone who remembers that famous match between the Barbarians and the All Blacks in Cardiff way back in 1973. Pullin, one of just three Englishmen* in the side, was the hooker for the Barbarians, so threw in the ball at the line-out that led a few glorious minutes later to that try via a move in which he also played a part, receiving the ball from JPR Williams (whom Bryan Williams was tackling around the neck) and passing it to John Dawes whose dummy led to a scintillating burst out of defence. In fact Pullin’s were the only English hands to touch the ball in that move!
*The English rugby team of the early 1970s wasn’t very strong, even less so when compared with the Welsh!
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In the Dark 
February 10, 2021 at 11:28 am
Such a good clip to watch. In fact John Pullin does handle the ball after the throw in, he passes just in the 22. I believe he said afterwards, ” I was just slowing the move down!”
Cliff Morgan commentating was such a treat as well!
February 10, 2021 at 11:59 am
Yes, he does. That’s what the post says too…:-)