But despite an internet campaign last year, he was never knighted. Our previous quotes have generally referred to a single individual. Bill McLaren, a gentleman with passion and a rare gift for description. When Paul Thorburn kicked a record-breaking penalty from 64.2m against Scotland in 1986, it left legendary commentator Bill McLaren to utter the immortal words: "I've seen all the greatest goal kickers in the last decade, but I . HIS 50 years behind the microphone led to his reputation as the voice of rugby. In this case, McLaren is referring to the entire Springbok pack. The Welsh golden age ofthe 1970s would not have been so gilded without the soundtrack of Bill to the exploits ofGareth Edwards. New Zealand radio . Geoghegan was one of the best wingers of his generation but had to retire early due to a foot injury. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. We won't even try and break down this Steve Fenwick try for you: nobody could do it better than the inimitable Bill McLaren . Big Victor Ubogu had his shorts ripped to shreds in a frantic ruck and as he bent down to change them right in front of the camera his big behind came into view, Bills dulcet tones rang out A splendid rear-view there! The whole pub erupted with laughter. *Those props are as cunning as a bag o weasels. It was nothing personal. This is unusual (Australias John Eales is the only other one I can think of). McLaren had wanted to stay at her bedside but she insisted he go and carry out a commentating duty in Edinburgh on the Saturday afternoon. Ive put the quote in the Scottish section because of the burn reference. Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies. Bill McLaren gathered thousands of items relating to the game during his years as a commentator, Bill McLaren was considered by many to be the "voice of rugby" during his long commentating career. My proof is McLarens commentary his shimmy shammy is a perfect description of those twitches. He stood 66 and carried a huge frame. He moved out to the wing a few years later, where he played for his country through much of the 1970s. He was capped for England 57 times between 1985 and 1993. Here is McLaren watching a young Beaumont packing down: And theres Beaumont in that English scrum looking like a man who enjoys his food. I was desperately ill and fading fast when the specialist asked five of us to be guinea pigs for a new drug called Streptomycin, McLaren said in 2001. I worked with him for a decade, one ofhis many "second voices". I thought the telephone box line was about Robert Jones. He would shuffle a deck and flash through the cards, matching a player with a number. Calder also captained the Lions on tour to Australia in 1989. McLaren would have chuckled at that notion, but the love of rugby in Wales was something he always compared to his native Scottish border country. Butler became a published author in 2014. But this quote always comes back to me when a tall and ungainly youngster breaks free. Here is where I disagree with the great commentator. Here is McLarens view of the diminutive winger: Despite Battys stature, he was known for being hard as nails. I dont remember Beaumont as being particularly large. 21K views, 416 likes, 40 loves, 28 comments, 44 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from The Welsh Rugby Union: #WALvENG75: . However, this is nothing new. (This usually doesnt end up well for the catcher!). Join us to celebrate what would have been Bill's 100th year with this fantastic line up: Welsh rugby legend and Bill's former commentary box colleague JONATHAN DAVIES and pitch p . *I was there (at Twickenham) in 1938 when Scotland won 28-16. He would then resume his consultation of his match chart, a mass of tiny notes in many colours, before, at kick-off, turning his back on us. Something went wrong, please try again later. I reckon thats why there are so many metatarsal injuries since many boots particularly football boots are so thin they offer no protection whatsoever. In the modern defensive game, locks are less likely to make breaks. Murray, who is a volunteer with the BMF, said: "Bill was enormously thorough in his preparations with his commentaries and for his writing - and he did all of his research in a time long before Google.". Youll find some lists of McLaren quotes that dont clarify who hes talking about. Video, The secret mine that hid the Nazis' stolen treasure, Hawick pays tribute to its most famous son, BBC Archive: Commentary gold with Bill McLaren, Trump mistrial request denied in NY rape lawsuit, Explosion derails train in Russian border region, US rock band Aerosmith announce farewell tour, MasterChef Australia host Jock Zonfrillo dies, DeSantis-backed board votes to countersue Disney, Father tells how gunman opened fire on Texas home, Street piano confiscated as public 'break rules', NFL player's daughter, aged two, drowns in pool, Russia launches missile attacks on Ukraine. Geoghegan was one of my favorite players in the early nineties, and I think McLaren describes him fairly well! Eddie went to Monmouth school, on the border of England and Wales, an institution reluctant to select players for Wales school sides. The beloved commentator sadly passed away in 2010 but his legacy will live on forever. McLaren also featured as a commentator on the video games Jonah Lomu Rugby and EA Rugby 2001, and also did voice work for Telewest Communications. The image would haunt him for the rest of his days. Sidestep in a phonebox was referring to Robert Jones (Welsh scrum half). Some commentators will quickly blabber something innocuous to draw attention away from the incident. Gerald Davies was capped for Wales as a centre in 1966. WRU chairman and former Wales captain David Pickering called him a legendary broadcaster and a thorough professional. 'Voice of rugby' Bill McLaren put in the spotlight, Above par performance from Selkirk's man Thomas, New and improved facilities will make campsite a draw for tourists says Live Borders, Sentence deferred on Borders man involved in disturbance with former partner, Working hard to help traumatised children, More than 100 police hurt in French May Day protests, Fighter jets are roaring over my home in Sudan, JP Morgan snaps up troubled US bank First Republic. *My goodness, that wee balls gone so high therell be snow on it when it comes down. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. McLaren, now in his 86th year, lives quietly at his home in Hawick, in the beautiful Scottish borders. 329 pages, Hardcover First published October 1, 2004 Book details & editions Loading interface. @Rich am not sure could be Jones, or @Brendan could be Phil Bennet or Gerald Davies who could also jink. [2], Recognition of his services came in November 2001, when he became the first non-international to be inducted into the International Rugby Hall of Fame. Here is McLaren on one of the greatest players in the history of the sport: I look at Colin Meads and see a great big sheep farmer who carried the ball in his hands as though it was an orange pip. [11] His funeral took place on 25 January at Teviot Church in Hawick, followed by a private burial at the town's Wellogate Cemetery after his hearse was applauded through the town of Hawick by hundreds of well-wishers who lined the streets to pay their respects to the "Voice of Rugby". Let's see if you can match the quote to the player or coach! *His sidestep was marvellous like a shaft of lightning (description of Welsh wing Gerald Davies). [5][6], He played in a Scotland trial in 1947 and was on the verge of a full international cap before contracting tuberculosis. The secret mine that hid the Nazis' stolen treasure. News, views and all the moves in the world of Rugby Union, On Phil Bennett:They say down at Stradey that if ever you catch him [Phil Bennett] you get to make a wish., On Jonah Lomu:Im no hod carrier but I would be laying bricks if he [Jonah L] was running at me., On Grant Batty:He plays like a runaway bullet., On Gerald Davies:His sidestep was marvellous like a shaft of lightning., Its high enough, its long enough AND ITS STRAIGHT ENOUGH.. He was unbiased, clear . *Hes like a demented ferret up a wee drainpipe. Former Wales captain Gwyn Jones, 37, said McLaren was famous for dispensing Hawick balls Scottish butter mint sweets to everyone he met. He famously ran down the field and barged through giant Springbok prop Os Du Randt. Meads grew up on a sheep farm and raised his own family on a farm. You can use our stories in a structured programme. Known as 'the voice of rugby', he retired from commentating in 2002. Younger rugby lovers marvel at Bills turn of phrase, his sense of sportsmanship and camaraderie and if you listen to Bills actual voice in the audio clip in the first post, they get a feel for the sheer excitement created when you hear his unique voice the voice of rugby as the late great Bill McLaren was called. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. How well will you do? Brilliant Jasen Id forgotten did ye notice? which was such a great way of grabbing your attention and generating the option for something trivial or intriguing. DWP explains the 57 health conditions that qualify you for over 400 a month in attendance allowance, Millions of people are entitled to the money, Danniella Westbrook rushed to hospital after 'life-changing' Turkish facial surgery, The former EastEnders actress said she was in extreme pain, 'Heart and soul' theatre actor died while snorkelling in the Caribbean, Andrew Evans, who has been described as a doting family man and community champion, tragically died taking part in the activity whilst he was on a cruise with his family, Discovery a huge hint to what the planet was like millions of year ago and if live veer flourished on our near neighbour, New driving rules you may not know about including pavement parking and 20mph zones, Swansea's Blackpill Lido closed two days after reopening for the summer, The council apologised for any inconvenience caused to families, House nestled in Welsh woodland and left deserted for years is now up for sale, This would be a great project for someone, How roadworks at one of Cardiff's busiest junctions is affecting businesses and residents, The roadworks have caused a mixed response from businesses but residents have welcomed the 'peace and quiet' of a once busy street, Abandoned kayaks and camping equipment sparks police search, The equipment was found in a secluded bay. Colin Meads was capped 55 times for the All Blacks from 1957 to 1971. The late great, Bill McLaren was simply the worlds best rugby commentator ever. Known as 'the voice of rugby', he retired from commentating in 2002. Former Welsh international turned pundit and broadcaster Jonathan Davies, 47, was McLarens co-commentator for his final game and said he had grown up listening to McLaren before working alongside him. Nicknamed the Viet Gwent, they notoriously took no prisoners with their hard-nosed pack of forwards, spearheaded by the Wales front row of Charlie Faulkner, Bobby Windsor and Graham Price. JPRs former Welsh teammate, winger JJ Williams, 60, from Bridgend, said the commentator had the knack of finding adjectives to makes something ordinary sound fantastic. I think it might be easier to tackle a snooker table than Lomu. [9], In later life, McLaren contracted Alzheimer's; he had been renowned for his excellent memory.[10]. sidestep 3 men in a phonebox? #TheVoiceOfRugby #BillMcLaren #JonathanDavies #AndrewCotter William Pollock McLaren, teacher and rugby commentator, born 16 October 1923; died 19 January 2010, BBC sports commentator and 'the voice of rugby union' for nearly 50 years, Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning, 2023 Guardian News & Media Limited or its affiliated companies. The couple famously used to play 18 holes of golf together every day. Welsh fly half Dan Biggar has a lengthy pre-kick ritual of repeatedly twitching and touching his hair as he stares at the ball on the tee. Eddies mother, Margaret (nee Asplen), was a Londoner and later the couple ran a guesthouse in Raglan, Monmouthshire. William Henry Thomas, the forgotten Welsh Hero of 1888 by @Wil94831317Bill April 23 2023 marks 135 years . Prosser realised that Butler, with his analytical, calmer approach to the game, could bring something extra to his side, and by 1979 the great Wales coach Carwyn Jones was canvassing for the 21-year-old Butler to be captain of the Wales B team. He received an OBE, CBE and MBE for services to the sport and combined his work as a broadcaster with that of a PE teacher until 1987. The study of the "voice of rugby" was where match-day preparations took place during his 50-year career. Is climate change killing Australian wine? Become an ambassador (looks good on your CV). His voice was instantly recognisable, and generations of rugby fans grew up listening to a man they believed to be fair, knowledgeable, and a lover of the game. Breeks are breeches. He was a very special person., Welsh Rugby Union group chief executive Roger Lewis said: When he retired from the game he was missed in the manner that many of the greatest players in Welsh rugby history have been, which is some accolade in itself, before you consider he was a Scotsman.. The physio came on with spare shorts. Scottish rugby union player, sports broadcaster & journalist, Scottish rugby commentators and journalists, "Tributes paid to woman behind Hawick's voice of rugby, Bill McLaren, after his widow Bette dies at 93", Vale Bill McLaren, we'll never see your like again, "Book review: Rugby's Greatest Heroes And Entertainers, by Bill McLaren", Bill McLaren: Scotland's legendary voice of rugby mourned across world The Scotsman, "Bill McLaren, the 'voice of rugby', dies aged 86", "Hundreds gather for funeral of Bill McLaren, the voice of rugby", "Characters from centre stage gather again to say last farewell to Bill McLaren", "Thousands gather at Murrayfield to pay tribute to Bill McLaren 'the voice of rugby', "Bill McLaren statue to be unveiled at Murrayfield", "Scottish Rugby Hall of Fame Inductees 2010", "Legends inducted into World Rugby Hall of Fame at Rugby World Cup 2015", Bill McLaren: Legendary 'Voice of Rugby' was a family man above all, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bill_McLaren&oldid=1124949584, Commanders of the Order of the British Empire, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Sports commentating, sports journalism, rugby player, This page was last edited on 1 December 2022, at 11:21. He was known as 'The Voice Of Rugby'. The depth of McLarens research became legendary, and he would spend days watching teams train in the week before a match, and then spend nights practising with his own special packet of cards. I think the jink is dying in modern rugby certainly the Welsh are trying to keep it alive lets hope its never lost. But McLaren was delighted and provided his listening audience with helpful commentary as to what was going on. Stradey is a location in the middle of the town of Llanelli. Ubogo was a burly prop who could shift around the field.