St Helen’s ArchivePreserving the past for the future

JY033

Jersey

CIC

Mervyn Davies

1968-69

Jersey, Australia, Presented by Mervyn Davies, yellow with Australian Rugby Union badge on breast. Green number 8 on back.

This jersey was worn by Wallabies' No8 Alan Skinner when Australia narrowly lost to Wales in Sydney on 21st June 1969. Skinner won 3 caps between 1969 and 1970. The game is remembered for the less than neutral refereeing of Aussie official Craig Ferguson, who allowed a controversial last minute try and also awarded a penalty that would have drawn the match, after Wales wing Maurice Richards called him a "bloody cheat" (Gareth Edwards insisted Richards had been speaking in Welsh!). Maurice claimed to have tackled Australia full-back Arthur McGill into touch but a try was given and then a penalty for Maurice's insolence. A well known long distance kicker, Alan Skinner took the 50 yard penalty from the restart, but was unable to draw the match and Wales won 19 - 16. Mervyn Davies, then of London Welsh, swapped jerseys afterwards with Skinner. The jersey was kindly gifted to Swansea RFC by Mervyn.

jersey, australia, mervyn davies, 1969, 1968-1969,