sport news World Cup: Wales boss Rob Page inspired by local hero and Rhondda spirit as he ... trends now

sport news World Cup: Wales boss Rob Page inspired by local hero and Rhondda spirit as he ... trends now
sport news World Cup: Wales boss Rob Page inspired by local hero and Rhondda spirit as he ... trends now

sport news World Cup: Wales boss Rob Page inspired by local hero and Rhondda spirit as he ... trends now

Rob Page inspired by a local hero and the spirit of Rhondda as he gears up for Wales' World Cup opener

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The Wales World Cup squad has been forged in principles of Rhondda Valley rugby union country, just as the last one was in 1958. 

Rob Page and Jimmy Murphy, the managers of the respective squads, were brought up three miles apart in adjacent valleys, on opposite ends of the hilltop St Mary's Wells, one of the nation's most sacred sites.

The two never met before Murphy's death, though modesty is a characteristic they share. Murphy, Sir Matt Busby's assistant at Manchester United, never liked a fuss. 

Wales manager Rob Page speaks to the media during during a press conference on Sunday

Wales manager Rob Page speaks to the media during during a press conference on Sunday

He never discussed how the young players, who viewed him as a father, were killed in the Munich air disaster, which he avoided by taking Wales to a World Cup play-off in 1958. Blink and you would miss the blue plaque to Murphy on the end terrace of Treharne Street, in the village of Pentre, where he grew up. 

A blue plaque for Welsh poet and writer Rhydwen Williams, a few doors down, is far more prominent. 

Murphy, who rebuilt the United team as Busby recovered

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