Geoff Wheel, who has died of motor neurone disease aged 73, was a tough rugby union forward who played 32 times for Wales during their golden era in the 1970s. made his debut at the age of 22 in 1974, when the team was already established as the most exciting force in world rugby, and continued for another eight years, by which time the greats days were over.
Wheel’s work in the second row was not glorious compared to the flair roles of players such as JPR Williams and Gareth Edwards. But his great contribution to the team was his unrivaled ability to wrest the ball away from the opposition during rucks and mauls.
Playing largely in partnership with compatriot Allan Martin, he was very effective not only out wide but also in the lineout, where his jumping ability and great strength – as well as his distinctive white headband – set him apart.
Although gentle and reticent off the field, Wheel could be aggressive and stubborn when in action, and in 1977 he became the first Welshman to be sent off in an international match, for fighting with the Irishman Willie Duggan.
He also had a notable confrontation with Englishman Bill Beaumont at Twickenham in 1980, although the incident attracted attention mainly because it was captured in what became a widely used press photograph. Wheel was upset that the image had generated so much interest because he and Beaumont had thought nothing of the setting and shared a friendly pint after the match.
The most controversial moment of Wheel’s career was not his fault at all, when he was penalized in 1978 against New Zealand in Cardiff for a push into the lineout, leading to a late converted penalty which brings the score to 13-12 for the All Blacks. and denied Wales a famous victory. In fact, Wheel hadn’t pushed anyone, because New Zealander Andy Haden, as he later admitted, fooled the referee by diving to the ground without any meaningful contact being made.
Geoffrey Arthur Derek Wheel was born on June 30, 1951 in Swansea and grew up in the St Thomas area of the city, attending Bishop Gore Grammar School. He played his early rugby for Mumbles RFC, while also showing his football potential in the reserves with Swansea City. He began to focus exclusively on the oval ball game when he was signed by Swansea RFC at the age of 19 in 1970.
Within four years he was making his debut for Wales in the Five Nations Championship, and by 1979 he had featured in four title-winning campaigns, including two Grand Slams. His final appearance came in 1982, after which he continued with Swansea for another year, finishing with 323 appearances for the club. He captained the White team from 1979 to 1981, during which time they collected numerous honors, including two Anglo-Welsh championships and a national sevens title, winning 81 of 93 matches under his leadership.
He also played nine times for the Barbarians between 1975 and 1977 and would have gone on the 1977 British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand if not for a medical examination which revealed a previously unknown heart condition. To his great relief and chagrin, the diagnosis turned out to be incorrect, but the error was discovered too late to reverse his withdrawal.
Working as an accounts manager in a brewery, Wheel maintained his connections with Swansea RFC for the rest of his life and was one of the officers of the club’s former players’ association, serving as president until his death.
He was known while playing for accompanying the club’s supporters on accordion or ukulele during post-match singing sessions, and was for many years organist at church services at St Thomas, where he lived his whole life. He was also president of the Gwalia Singers choir in Swansea and volunteered as a food bank worker and with the Boys’ Brigade.
He is survived by his wife, Christine, whom he married in 1975.
Geoffrey Wheel, born June 30, 1951, died December 26, 2024