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{{For|the Australian rugby league player|Steve Morris (rugby league)}}
{{For|the Australian rugby league player|Steve Morris (rugby league)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2015}}
{{Use British English|date=April 2015}}


{{Infobox rugby biography
{{Infobox rugby biography
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| weight = 14 st 3 lb<ref name="Smith205">Smith (1980), pg 205.</ref>
| weight = 14 st 3 lb<ref name="Smith205">Smith (1980), pg 205.</ref>
| ru_position = [[Flanker (rugby union)|Flanker]]
| ru_position = [[Flanker (rugby union)|Flanker]]
| ru_amateuryears =
| amatyears1 =
| ru_amateurclubs = [[Cross Keys RFC]]
| amatteam1 = [[Cross Keys RFC]]
| ru_amclubcaps =
| ru_amclubcaps =
| ru_amclubpoints =
| ru_amclubpoints =
| ru_amupdate =
| ru_amupdate =
| ru_nationalteam = [[Wales national rugby union team|Wales]]
| repteam1 = [[Wales national rugby union team|Wales]]
| ru_nationalyears = 1920-1925
| repyears1 = 1920-1925
| ru_nationalcaps = 19
| repcaps1 = 19
| ru_nationalpoints = (0)
| reppoints1 = 0
| ru_ntupdate =
| ru_ntupdate =
| ru_coachclubs =
| coachteams1 =
| ru_coachyears =
| coachyears1 =
| ru_coachupdate =
| ru_coachupdate =
| other =
| other =
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}}
}}


'''Steve Morris''' (1 September 1896 - 29 May 1965) was a [[Wales|Welsh]] international [[rugby union]] flanker who played club rugby for [[Cross Keys RFC|Cross Keys]]. A hard man, Morris was extremely physical in the way he played the game, sometimes over physical and he was unafraid to turn to violence if it was warranted. It is reported that he once knocked out a Welsh heavyweight boxing champion in a sparring session.<ref name="Thomas61">Thomas (1979), pg 61.</ref> At 6 foot and over 14 stone in weight, Morris was a hulking player, but he was still recognised as a cheerful and genial person.<ref name="Smith210">Smith (1980), pg 210.</ref>
'''Steve Morris''' (1 September 1896 – 29 May 1965) was a [[Wales|Welsh]] international [[rugby union]] flanker who played club rugby for [[Cross Keys RFC|Cross Keys]]. A hard man, Morris was extremely physical in the way he played the game, sometimes over physical and he was unafraid to turn to violence if it was warranted. It is reported that he once knocked out a Welsh heavyweight boxing champion in a sparring session.<ref name="Thomas61">Thomas (1979), pg 61.</ref> At 6 foot and over 14 stone in weight, Morris was a hulking player, but he was still recognised as a cheerful and genial person.<ref name="Smith210">Smith (1980), pg 210.</ref>


A coal miner by profession, Morris would work down the pit at [[Risca]] Colliery on a Saturday morning and then turn out to play for Cross Keys in the afternoon. Morris spent his entire playing career at Cross Keys and later became the club's chairman. On his death his ashes were scattered at Pandy Park, the team's home ground.
A coal miner by profession, Morris would work down the pit at [[Risca]] Colliery on a Saturday morning and then turn out to play for Cross Keys in the afternoon. Morris spent his entire playing career at Cross Keys and later became the club's chairman. On his death his ashes were scattered at Pandy Park, the team's home ground.
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==International career==
==International career==
Morris made his international debut against England in 1920, the first Cross Keys player to represent his country. In the game against France in 1920, Morris played alongside his Cross Keys team mate, [[Fred Reeves]], made all the more special as the two of them were also co-workers at the Risca Colliery.<ref name="Thomas61"/> Morris gained 19 caps in total and should have gained more but missed the Ireland match after being sent off in a club game. Morris's aggression was used to good effect in other games; when in 1923 against an overly violent French team he and [[Swansea RFC|Swansea's]] [[Tom Parker (rugby player)|Tom Parker]] were called upon to fight back to subdue their opponents. In his penultimate game against France at [[St Helens Rugby and Cricket Ground|St. Helens]] in [[Swansea]], Morris was given the captaincy of Wales, but the team suffered a fairly heavy defeat even after a late Welsh surge masterminded by their new captain.<ref name="Smith218">Smith (1980), pg 218.</ref>
Morris made his international debut against England in 1920, the first Cross Keys player to represent his country. In the game against France in 1920, Morris played alongside his Cross Keys team mate, [[Fred Reeves]], made all the more special as the two of them were also co-workers at the Risca Colliery.<ref name="Thomas61"/> Morris gained 19 caps in total and should have gained more but missed the Ireland match after being sent off in a club game. Morris's aggression was used to good effect in other games; when in 1923 against an overly violent French team he and [[Swansea RFC|Swansea's]] [[Tom Parker (rugby player)|Tom Parker]] were called upon to fight back to subdue their opponents. In his penultimate game against France at [[St Helens Rugby and Cricket Ground|St. Helens]] in [[Swansea]], Morris was given the captaincy of Wales, but the team suffered a fairly heavy defeat even after a late Welsh surge masterminded by their new captain.<ref name="Smith218">Smith (1980), pg 218.</ref>

The 1920s were a terrible for time for Welsh international rugby, but Morris was one of the few shining lights in an underperforming squad.


===International matches played===
===International matches played===
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* {{cite book |last=Parry-Jones |first=David |title=Prince Gwyn, Gwyn Nicholls and the First Golden Era of Welsh Rugby |year=1999 |publisher=seren |location=Bridgend |isbn=1-85411-262-7 }}
* {{cite book |last=Parry-Jones |first=David |title=Prince Gwyn, Gwyn Nicholls and the First Golden Era of Welsh Rugby |year=1999 |publisher=seren |location=Bridgend |isbn=1-85411-262-7 }}
* {{cite book |last=Smith |first=David |author2=Williams, Gareth |title=Fields of Praise: The Official History of The Welsh Rugby Union |year=1980 |publisher=University of Wales Press |location=Cardiff |isbn=0-7083-0766-3 }}
* {{cite book |last=Smith |first=David |author2=Williams, Gareth |title=Fields of Praise: The Official History of The Welsh Rugby Union |year=1980 |publisher=University of Wales Press |location=Cardiff |isbn=0-7083-0766-3 }}
* {{cite book |last=Thomas |first=Wayne |title=A Century of Welsh Rugby Players |year=1979 |publisher=Ansells Ltd|location= |isbn=}}
* {{cite book |last=Thomas |first=Wayne |title=A Century of Welsh Rugby Players |year=1979 |publisher=Ansells Ltd}}


== References ==
== References ==
{{reflist}}
{{Reflist}}

{{Authority control}}


{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]]. -->
| NAME = Morris, Steve
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
| SHORT DESCRIPTION = Welsh rugby union player
| DATE OF BIRTH = 1 September 1896
| PLACE OF BIRTH = [[Newport, Wales|Newport]] [[Wales]]
| DATE OF DEATH = 29 May 1965
| PLACE OF DEATH = [[Newport, Wales|Newport]], [[Wales]]
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Morris, Steve}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Morris, Steve}}
[[Category:1896 births]]
[[Category:1896 births]]
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[[Category:Welsh rugby union players]]
[[Category:Welsh rugby union players]]
[[Category:Wales international rugby union players]]
[[Category:Wales international rugby union players]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Newport, Wales]]
[[Category:Rugby union players from Newport, Wales]]
[[Category:Wales rugby union captains]]
[[Category:Wales rugby union captains]]
[[Category:Welsh miners]]
[[Category:Welsh miners]]

Latest revision as of 05:28, 31 December 2020

For the Australian rugby league player, see Steve Morris (rugby league).

Steve Morris
Steve Morris (on the left) with Tom Parker.
Birth nameStephen Morris
Date of birth(1896-09-01)1 September 1896
Place of birthNewport[1] Wales
Date of death29 May 1965(1965-05-29) (aged 68)
Place of deathNewport, Wales
Height6 ft (183 cm)
Weight14 st 3 lb (199 lb; 90 kg)[2]
Occupation(s)miner
Rugby union career
Position(s) Flanker
Amateur team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
Cross Keys RFC ()
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
1920-1925 Wales 19 (0)

Steve Morris (1 September 1896 – 29 May 1965) was a Welsh international rugby union flanker who played club rugby for Cross Keys. A hard man, Morris was extremely physical in the way he played the game, sometimes over physical and he was unafraid to turn to violence if it was warranted. It is reported that he once knocked out a Welsh heavyweight boxing champion in a sparring session.[3] At 6 foot and over 14 stone in weight, Morris was a hulking player, but he was still recognised as a cheerful and genial person.[4]

A coal miner by profession, Morris would work down the pit at Risca Colliery on a Saturday morning and then turn out to play for Cross Keys in the afternoon. Morris spent his entire playing career at Cross Keys and later became the club's chairman. On his death his ashes were scattered at Pandy Park, the team's home ground.

Club career

[edit]

Morris began playing rugby before the outbreak of World War I and continued playing when he could as a recruit in the British Army. After returning to Wales he turned out for Cross Keys in April 1919 against the touring New Zealand Army XV. Twelve years later, Morris was still turning out for his club and in 1931 he was part of the joint Abertillery / Cross Keys team that faced the touring South African team. Morris was extremely loyal to Cross Keys, never the most fashionable of rugby clubs, and on one occasion it is said he turned down a £1,000 contract to turn to rugby league.

International career

[edit]

Morris made his international debut against England in 1920, the first Cross Keys player to represent his country. In the game against France in 1920, Morris played alongside his Cross Keys team mate, Fred Reeves, made all the more special as the two of them were also co-workers at the Risca Colliery.[3] Morris gained 19 caps in total and should have gained more but missed the Ireland match after being sent off in a club game. Morris's aggression was used to good effect in other games; when in 1923 against an overly violent French team he and Swansea's Tom Parker were called upon to fight back to subdue their opponents. In his penultimate game against France at St. Helens in Swansea, Morris was given the captaincy of Wales, but the team suffered a fairly heavy defeat even after a late Welsh surge masterminded by their new captain.[5]

International matches played

[edit]

Wales[6]

Bibliography

[edit]
  • Parry-Jones, David (1999). Prince Gwyn, Gwyn Nicholls and the First Golden Era of Welsh Rugby. Bridgend: seren. ISBN 1-85411-262-7.
  • Smith, David; Williams, Gareth (1980). Fields of Praise: The Official History of The Welsh Rugby Union. Cardiff: University of Wales Press. ISBN 0-7083-0766-3.
  • Thomas, Wayne (1979). A Century of Welsh Rugby Players. Ansells Ltd.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Scrum.com player profile
  2. ^ Smith (1980), pg 205.
  3. ^ a b Thomas (1979), pg 61.
  4. ^ Smith (1980), pg 210.
  5. ^ Smith (1980), pg 218.
  6. ^ Smith (1980), pg 469.
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