He was the assistant coach to John Huw Williams on the tour to New Zealand in 1990, when Wales beat the young All Blacks 17-11 in Christchurch, and was head coach four years later when Gethin Watts’ side went to Australia and won 19-12.
Scott Quinnell and Andrew Lewis went on to play for Wales from the 1990 team in New Zealand, while the Class of ’94 in Australia contained future caps in Martyn Williams, Nathan Thoms, James Richards, Chris Anthony, Nick Walne, Jon Funnell and Leigh Davies.
The brother of former Llanelli, Wales and British & Irish Lions wing JJ Williams, he trained as a teacher at Caerleon College of Education after leaving Maesteg Grammar School. As well as being a good rugby player, he also won the Welsh Schools and Welsh AAA Junior Men’s triple jump titles in 1959.
He became head of PE at Maesteg Comprehensive School, a role he took over from his younger brother, and helped to develop the careers of Wales and Lions fullback Gwyn Evans, Wales back row men Mark Davies and Rhodri Lewis among many other first-class players.
He stepped into his coaching role with the Welsh Schools Senior Group after enjoying considerable success as a coach at his home town club, Maesteg.
“Pete was an ultra-reliable and very genial coach who was loved and respected by everyone. He was a key part of the coaching team with the Welsh Schools in New Zealand and then took the side to Australia in 1994,” said former Welsh Schools head coach, team manager and chairman, John Huw Williams.
Having played 76 times for the Old Parish at second row – he also appeared for Bridgend – ‘Big Pete’ turned to coaching and transformed the fortunes of his old club. Having taken over at the start of the 1975-76 season, in tandem with backs coach Terry Dunne he brought on a number of his former pupils who had starred in one of his invincible school sides.
Playing alongside seasoned campaigners such as Billy Pole they helped to dramatically improve the results. Maesteg won back to back Whitbread Merit Table title in 1977-78 and 1978-79.
In 1978 he helped Clive Rowlands prepare a West Wales XV for an encounter with the New Zealand tourists and in 1982 was the coach in Maesteg’s centenary season when they drew 10-10 with the Maoris.
He coached at Maesteg from 1975-84 and became a senior WRU staff coach in 1978. The WRU offers its sincerest condolences to his wife, Joyce, son Richard and the remainder of his family and friends.
