A rugby legend has passed, leaving behind a legacy of what could have been. Roy 'Shunto' Thomas, the formidable hooker who helped Llanelli achieve a historic victory against New Zealand in 1972, has died at the age of 82. His story is one of both triumph and unfulfilled potential.
Thomas's career is marked by an almost unbelievable statistic: he sat on the Wales bench an astonishing 25 times throughout the 1970s. But here's where it gets controversial: he never actually got to play in a match to win a cap. This was a time when substitutions were rare, only happening when a player was injured.
The legendary Bobby Windsor, a hooker for Wales, Pontypool, and the British and Irish Lions, stood in his way. Imagine the frustration!
Despite this, Thomas had an impressive career. He played 184 games for Llanelli between 1970 and 1977. His career highlight was undoubtedly the Llanelli team's stunning 9-3 victory over the All Blacks at Stradey Park.
The Scarlets, the team that Llanelli later became, shared their condolences on social media, saying they were deeply saddened by the news. They rightly recognized Thomas as a member of the iconic Llanelli side.
Thomas did receive a Welsh Rugby Union President's cap later in his career, awarded for his appearance against Tonga in 1974. However, this game wasn't considered a full Test match at the time.
What do you think? Do you believe Thomas deserved more recognition for his talent and dedication? Was it a different time, or was he unlucky? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
