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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| WRU President Rowlands dies at 70 | WRU President Rowlands dies at 70 |
| (about 19 hours later) | |
| Former Wales and Lions lock and current Welsh Rugby Union President Keith Rowlands has passed away. | Former Wales and Lions lock and current Welsh Rugby Union President Keith Rowlands has passed away. |
| Brithdir-born Rowlands, 70, had a distinguished playing career with Cardiff, Llanelli and London Welsh, winning five Wales caps from 1962-5. | Brithdir-born Rowlands, 70, had a distinguished playing career with Cardiff, Llanelli and London Welsh, winning five Wales caps from 1962-5. |
| He started three Tests on the 1962 Lions tour to South Africa, as well as the non-cap Lions match with Kenya. | He started three Tests on the 1962 Lions tour to South Africa, as well as the non-cap Lions match with Kenya. |
| He was later coach and administrator at Cardiff and the International Rugby Board's first chief executive, 1988-96. | He was later coach and administrator at Cardiff and the International Rugby Board's first chief executive, 1988-96. |
| Rowlands went on to become a director of Rugby World Cup, overseeing the 1999 tournament in Wales. | Rowlands went on to become a director of Rugby World Cup, overseeing the 1999 tournament in Wales. |
| Keith was a man of real stature, both as a player on the field and as an administrator WRU Chairman David Pickering | Keith was a man of real stature, both as a player on the field and as an administrator WRU Chairman David Pickering |
| He served as a Wales selector, sat on the WRU committee, and succeeded Sir Tasker Watkins to become the 47th President in 2004. | He served as a Wales selector, sat on the WRU committee, and succeeded Sir Tasker Watkins to become the 47th President in 2004. |
| Perhaps Rowlands' most famous moment as a player came in the second Test of the 1962 Lions tour. | Perhaps Rowlands' most famous moment as a player came in the second Test of the 1962 Lions tour. |
| The tourists had drawn the first Test 3-3 and were trailing in the second at King's Park, Durban. | The tourists had drawn the first Test 3-3 and were trailing in the second at King's Park, Durban. |
| Rowlands crashed over for what looked an equalising try, but it was ruled out and the Springboks ran out 3-0 winners. | Rowlands crashed over for what looked an equalising try, but it was ruled out and the Springboks ran out 3-0 winners. |
| He missed the third Test in Cape Town, won 8-3 by the home side, but returned for the final international in Bloemfontein and scored a consolation try as the Boks eased to a 34-14 victory. | |
| "This is a huge blow for Welsh rugby and obviously a terrible tragedy for Keith's family," said WRU Chairman David Pickering. | "This is a huge blow for Welsh rugby and obviously a terrible tragedy for Keith's family," said WRU Chairman David Pickering. |
| "The thoughts of everyone involved in the game, in Wales and across the world, will be with his wife Joanne, their children and grandchildren. | "The thoughts of everyone involved in the game, in Wales and across the world, will be with his wife Joanne, their children and grandchildren. |
| Keith will leave a huge void at the top of the game in Wales WRU Group Chief Executive Roger Lewis | Keith will leave a huge void at the top of the game in Wales WRU Group Chief Executive Roger Lewis |
| "Keith was a man of real stature, both as a player on the field and as an administrator with the WRU and the IRB. | "Keith was a man of real stature, both as a player on the field and as an administrator with the WRU and the IRB. |
| "He took over as President of the WRU from Sir Tasker Watkins in 2004 and had made some telling contributions in that role. He will be sorely missed." | "He took over as President of the WRU from Sir Tasker Watkins in 2004 and had made some telling contributions in that role. He will be sorely missed." |
| WRU Group Chief Executive Roger Lewis said: "Keith will leave a huge void at the top of the game in Wales. | WRU Group Chief Executive Roger Lewis said: "Keith will leave a huge void at the top of the game in Wales. |
| "He was a man of impeccable integrity and someone who commanded huge respect. | "He was a man of impeccable integrity and someone who commanded huge respect. |
| "He was returned unopposed as chairman once again this year and this will be a bitter blow to the WRU family of clubs. | "He was returned unopposed as chairman once again this year and this will be a bitter blow to the WRU family of clubs. |
| "However, the greatest loss will be felt within his family and our sincerest condolences go to them at this difficult time. | "However, the greatest loss will be felt within his family and our sincerest condolences go to them at this difficult time. |
| "His CV as both player and administrator shows the calibre of the man. He will be remembered as one of Welsh rugby's all-round greats." | "His CV as both player and administrator shows the calibre of the man. He will be remembered as one of Welsh rugby's all-round greats." |