Rhys Gabe

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Rhys Thomas Gabe (1880 - 1967) was a Welsh rugby union player who gained 24 caps for Wales, mainly as a centre.

Born in Llangennech, Gabe started his rugby career with Llanelli, making his debut at the age of seventeen. In 1901 he moved to London to study at Borough Road Training College and joined London Welsh, where he was moved to centre. After qualifying as a mathematics teacher, he took a teaching post in Cardiff and joined the Cardiff club, where he formed a devastating centre combination with Gwyn Nicholls for both club and country. He captained Cardiff in the 1907-08 season and scored 51 tries for the club in 115 appearances.

Gabe won his first cap for Wales against Ireland in 1901, playing on the left wing. His 24 caps for Wales included the famous 1905 victory against New Zealand, and he captained Wales in the 1907 match against Ireland. He toured Australasia with the British Isles team of 1904.

His most remarkable try was probably one scored against England at Bristol in 1908. The match was played in thick fog, and Gabe and his team mate Percy Bush found a loose ball outside England's 25. Gabe won the tussle for the ball and set off in the direction of the line, while Bush ran off in the opposite direction to confuse the opposition. Eventually the referee and the other players arrived at the line to find Gabe waiting with the ball.

Gabe retired in 1908, but still appeared occasionally for Cardiff. He died in Cardiff in 1967.

[edit] References

Gareth Hughes (1983) One hundred years of scarlet (Llanelli Rugby Football Club) ISBN 0-9509159-0-4