Jack Wetter

Jack Wetter
Full name John James Wetter
Date of birth 29 December 1887
Place of birth Newport,[1] Monmouthshire
Date of death 29 July 1967 (aged 79)
Place of death Newport, Wales
Notable relative(s) Harry Wetter, brother
Rugby union career
Playing career
Position fly-half
Amateur clubs
Years Club / team
?
?
1912-1925
Blaina RFC
Pill Harriers RFC
Newport RFC
Monmouthshire
National team(s)
Years Club / team Caps (points)
1914-1924[2] Wales Wales 10 (14)

Jack Wetter DCM (29 December 1887 – 29 July 1967) was a Welsh international rugby union player who played club rugby predominantly for Newport. He was captain for both his club and country and earned 10 caps for Wales.

Wetter's rugby career was disrupted by the outbreak of World War I, in which he served. He was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal during the conflict.

Rugby career

After playing club rugby for several lower level teams Wetter was successful at a trial for Newport, and in 1912 he represented the team against Plymouth. Wetter stayed with the club until 1925, and in the 1922/23 season, in which Newport were unbeaten, he captained the team. He also played for two Newport teams against international opposition; the 1912 touring South Africans and the 1924 touring All Blacks.

Wetter made his debut for Wales against Scotland on 7 February 1914, in which he scored his first international try and Wales ran out winners 24-5. It was a rough game, in which, Scotland captain David Bain quoted, "The dirtier side won".[3] Wetter would earn 10 caps in total for Wales, stretched either side of the War, and in the last three was awarded the captaincy. He scored a total of four international tries and a single conversion.

When Wetter took to the pitch for his final game for Wales in 1924, he was 36 years and one month old, the oldest Welsh player to take the position at centre. This record would stand for 77 years, until beaten by Neath's Allan Bateman.[4]

International games played

Wales[5]

External links

Bibliography

References

  1. Newport RFC player profiles
  2. WRU player profile
  3. Godwin (1984), pg 119.
  4. Gibbs relieved to make his final break guardian.co.uk 19 September 2001
  5. Smith (1980), pg 473.