Sadly, McLaren, known as 'the voice of rugby' for his brilliant BBC commentaries, had died earlier in the . There wont be the same amusing phrases, the vivid descriptions of players and locations from the contemporary commentators. But for those who loved McLarens sayings and laughed at the descriptions he dreamt up of the competitors, here are a few famous phrases from the Bill McLaren rugby commentary scrapbook, spoken both on and off air *Its high enough, its long enough AND ITS STRAIGHT ENOUGH. 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. We showed earlier that McLaren had a ready quip about him and his brother. If your national team has been on the end of a pasting by the Boks, you probably know exactly what McLaren is talking about! 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. It troubled him that he was not by her side when she died, but Janie had ordered him to the commentary box. McLaren would have chuckled at that notion, but the love of rugby in Wales was something he always . As fiercely passionate a Scot as you could wish to meet, McLaren never let nationality cloud his judgement. He was a forward spotter deep in hostile territory, often on his own, identifying enemy targets and relaying the information back to his unit. This quote aptly describes most days when I watch the All Blacks take on my national team. 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Bennets got his first cap for Wales when he came on as a substitute for an injured teammate. McLaren was named among the inaugural members of the Scottish Rugby Hall of Fame in 2010 and inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame during Rugby World Cup 2015.[16][17][18]. This is what McLaren had to say about Phil Bennett, the great Welsh flyhalf. He loved it when he got abuse from the terraces. It is not. Hes like Bambi on speed. What a description of one of Irelands greatest wingers. Meads grew up on a sheep farm and raised his own family on a farm. But he was broad-shouldered and had a big physical presence. Most populous nation: Should India rejoice or panic? Over the following five decades he became one of the most recognisable and favoured voices on radio and television. And tributes to Bill McLaren poured in last night from some of the greatest players to have ever graced the game. "It was full of books, newspaper cuttings, magazines and videos - there were three piles of videos from floor to ceiling. Winger Simon Geoghegan who was capped 37 times for Ireland between 1991 and 1996. Bill survived. I just love this quote. 21K views, 416 likes, 40 loves, 28 comments, 44 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from The Welsh Rugby Union: #WALvENG75: . *Im no hod carrier but Id be laying bricks if he was running at me (description of Jonah Lomu). He declined the third to South Africa on principled objections to Apartheid. Bill McLaren, horoscope for birth date 16 October 1923, born in - Astro If there was violence, itwas never anything more than "brief shenanigans", and nobody ever kicked a ball badly, but merely made it look abit like one of Bill's own "scruffy nineirons". He was awarded his MBE in 1992, an OBE in 1995 and a CBE in the 2003 honours list. He knew it meant that the opposition feared him. Bill Mclaren: Flower of Scotland - YouTube Rugby World Cup: Rugby's all-time greatest TV commentator revealed Aidan Smith's Saturday Interview: Welsh wizard John Taylor on one of rugby's great contests, Bill McLaren, standing against apartheid and his worry that Scotland are "building something". 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. The Bill McLaren Foundation on Twitter Renowned throughout the sport, his enthusiasm and memorable turn of phra But it was from the table-tennis commentary that the desire to call the shots on rugby union came. It was just that Bill, given the choice of two television monitors, liked to hunch over the one closer to him. William Pollock "Bill" McLaren, CBE (16 October 1923 - 19 January 2010) was a Scottish rugby union commentator, teacher, journalist and one time rugby player. Murray added: "Bill was like the Wikipedia of rugby, long before there was Wikipedia. (McLaren offering a friend a mint). Butler became a published author in 2014. McLaren died on 19 January 2010 at the age of 86 in his home town of Hawick. 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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. 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.. Bill Mclaren Quotes Part 3 about Runners (& jinkers); Passing; Kicking and Lineout Jumping (15 x Quotes), Bill Mclaren Quotes Part 4 Line-Out jumping (continued), Weather Conditions, Classic Mclaren, Looking Back (15 x Quotes). This article gives you the quotes., who hes referring to, and an explanation. He was renowned for his jerky sidestep that he executed at high speed. He had some tests along the way, especially when his son-in-law, the scrum-half Alan Lawson, or later his grandson in the same position, Rory Lawson, were playing for Scotland. He went on the first two of those tours. However, he said it was fair to describe the room as "chaotic" and added: "It was an absolute tip. 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. I think McLaren is saying that hed quickly lay bricks to build a wall as a defense. Ruck.co.uk: the leading rugby union news and content network delivering you the latest news, views and all the moves in Rugby Union. Gatland's new man played for England seven times and was country's hottest property, Few saw the 31-year-old's selection coming, Ryan Reynolds snubs star-studded Hollywood Met Gala for trip to Wales, Gatland's new man played for England seven times and was country's hottest property, Four Welsh walks named the best in the UK, Walks in Anglesey, Gower, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire have all been included in this 15-strong list, Full list of Welsh beaches where dogs are now banned for five months, From May 1 to September 30 each year no dogs are allowed on certain beaches throughout Wales, The traditional looking bungalow that's nothing like you expect it to be on the inside, Prepare for a feast for the eyes hiding behind that normal, white front door, Woman punched, scratched, and bit stranger who told her off for kicking bins, The victim said he had an anxious wait for the results of blood tests to see if he had caught any diseases as a result of the bite, MasterChef judge and renowned chef dies suddenly aged 46, Five men charged with alleged involvement in plot to bring people into the UK illegally, Five men have been charged with facilitating the entry or the attempted entry of people into the UK, The key DWP benefit payments and money changes kicking in from today, The changes could make a big difference to your finances. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. You can probably tell that McLaren wasnt too impressed with Browns kicking style! "And he was loved for his knowledge as well as his humour. Jones, who also now works as a commentator, said: He defined rugby for generations with his commentary and he was such a hard working man because the preparation he put in set the standard for everyone who followed him.. But McLaren was never a coarse man! 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. [2] Renowned throughout the sport, his enthusiasm and memorable turn of phrase endeared him to many.[3]. Eddie Butler became the voice of Welsh rugby and a contributor to the Guardian and Observer. In this case, the kicker is Peter Brown, who played 27 times for Scotland between 1964 and 73. In 1947 he was back in Hawick and playing in a Scottish trial. I used to go with my father to see matches at a very early age, the great Hawick heroes including Willie Welsh, Jock Beattie and Jerry Foster, so I had an all-consuming desire to wear the green jersey of Hawick.[4]. was described as being like a siege gun.., I recall that Bill M often used the phrase now did ye notice.. when he was getting comment from Beaumont and referred to modern rugby boots as carpet slippers .Brings back such fond memories of watching 5 nations as it was then with my old man..priceless. Butler. Bill's preparation was meticulous and involved a lot of card-play. Here is McLarens view of the diminutive winger: Despite Battys stature, he was known for being hard as nails. Three of the others died but I made what amounted to a miracle recovery.. If you want to know more about who hes talking about and what he actually means, read through the later sections of this article. Bill believed in sportsmanship shaking hands, thanking the ref, respect, fun and, of course, competition. A banner was also held up by one of the Cardiff crowd proclaiming: Bill McLaren is Welsh. His unique contribution to the commentators art has been applauded by both his peers and listeners alike the world over.. This week we continue with Big Boys. Eddie Butler obituary | Rugby union | The Guardian Meanwhile, scroll down to choose a story categorised by a country or a sport. Later this year the foundation will host a major exhibition to celebrate the centenary of Bill's birth on 16 October 1923. Bill McLaren - Alchetron, The Free Social Encyclopedia It was nothing personal. We searched and searched for images of the player and came up with a few grainy, jerky frames that stood in stark contrast to Bill's sharp recollections. The twins and two more brothers did all play together for their club. This is the greatest Wales rugby team of all time and these are the [7]. He played in the second row and captained New Zealand eleven times. His sidestep was marvelous, like a shaft of lightning. Former Welsh scrum-half Brynmor Williams said though he often found himself playing second fiddle to Gareth Edwards, Mclaren made him feel like an integral part of the Welsh set-up in the 1970s. It is not being overly melancholic to say that the Six Nations Championship has never seemed quite the same since McLaren retired. [2] Contents Early life It was through his junior reporting with the Hawick Express that he launched himself into a career of commentary, making his national debut for BBC radio in 1953, when Scotland were beaten 12-0 by Wales. The Late Great Bill McLaren did! They had two daughters, Linda and Janie. I almost didnt include this one because I dont know which player its about. Geoghegan was one of my favorite players in the early nineties, and I think McLaren describes him fairly well! He was particularly renowned for his place kicking which won plenty of games for his country. Renwick sent the ball sailing wide. While he convalesced, he began to commentate on table tennis for hospital radio. Derek Quinnell played for Wales but this quote refers to two of his sons. 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. And what about Stradey? His nickname was Car Crash for his effect on the opposition ball carrier! He found the vitriol among supporters and the media in Wales over the top for then amateur sportsmen. Mark Andrews played 77 tests at lock for South Africa from 1994 to 2002. There was no audio, but you didnt need to speak Scots to lip-read that he was saying something that rhymed with rucking hell. 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. Seeking inspiration for his first team talk as Scotland captain in November 2010, Rory Lawson decided to head for Hawick where his grandfather, World Rugby Hall of Fame inductee Bill McLaren, had taught and encouraged so many children to play rugby in a lifetime devoted to the sport. Eddie Butler: The remarkable life of the 'voice of rugby' Former Wales hooker Bobby Windsor called him nothing but a gentleman of the game and said he was the voice of rugby. Dooley towered over the opposition at 68. He didnt always get his place on the Welsh team but he toured twice with the British and Irish Lions and captained the 1977 tour to New Zealand. On the very few occasions that he got the ball without a defender in sight, he would charge up the field with knees lifted high. Eddie went to Monmouth school, on the border of England and Wales, an institution reluctant to select players for Wales school sides. A recreation of the office will act as a centrepiece of an exhibition to celebrate Bill's centenary. Bill Mclaren Quotes Part 1 includes quotes about Celebrations; Fisticuffs; Tough Guys; Big Guys and also a beautiful piece written by Bills daughter, Linda, specifically for us. This weekend, like any other when the Six Nations Championship is being held, he will watch the matches from television at his home. But taking centre stage will be the recreation of Bill's study. He merely points out that the two brothers were well-fed! (This usually doesnt end up well for the catcher!). The switch to television came six years later, and it was throughout the following four decades and more that McLaren came to be seen as the foremost authority in rugby commentary. 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. 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.". He was renowned for his turns of phrase. And tributes to Bill McLaren poured in last night from some of the greatest players to have ever graced the. His club was the Hawick Harlequins, Hawick being a town in Scotland. However, there was a time when he lined up a kick as McLaren was commentating on a Scottish test. His career included winning the 1995 World Cup. *Theyll be dancing in the streets of Hawick/Selkirk/ tonight. New Zealand radio . Photograph: David Rogers/Getty Images. A tribute to Bill McLaren | PlanetRugby : PlanetRugby 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. Anyone on or off Facebook. Thanks v much Jasen, keep them coming. In other words, the first part refers to Hasting pulling up his shorts. Here is McLaren watching two locks leaping to take the ball in a lineout. Craig Quinnell was a giant (and I mean giant) lock. Here is McLaren on Scott Gibbs, a burly Welsh center who switched successfully between rugby league and rugby union. Brown also captained Scotland ten times, including three victories over England. [5], McLaren studied Physical Education in Aberdeen, and went on to teach PE in different schools throughout Scotland right through to 1987. The 60-year-old retired surgeon, who lives near Cowbridge, said: He was never biased towards Scotland, which was typified by the conversion of John Taylor at Murrayfield in 1971 [to seal a 19-18 victory for Wales]. England was leading with minutes to go, and Gibbs took a pass from his teammate and cut back inside to get over the line. [5][6], He played in a Scotland trial in 1947 and was on the verge of a full international cap before contracting tuberculosis. [3] Early life [ edit] Known as 'the voice of rugby', he retired from commentating in 2002. McLaren passed away at the age of 86 in 2010. Rugby for orchestra and full voice, and nobody made a sound quite like Bill McLaren. Known as 'the voice of rugby', he retired from commentating in 2002. Bill McLaren, who died on January 19 aged 86, was to millions of sports fans "the voice of rugby", bringing wit, erudition and style to hundreds of commentaries on BBC radio and television in a. Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in, Find your bookmarks in your Independent Premium section, under my profile. As HRH The Princess Royal said in paying tribute to McLaren He has passed on his love for the game and all it represents to everyone he has met or spoken with. In the Cambridge team, Butler brought a physical edge to a pack coached by the former Scotland international Ian Robertson, who was also to become a well-known rugby voice on the BBC. No one will ever evoke the spirit of Rugby like Bill. [2] He switched to television commentary six years later. HIS 50 years behind the microphone led to his reputation as the voice of rugby. This refers to the rather large and burly Doddie Weir, an outstanding Scottish lock. Ryan simply had too much for Canadian Houle as her precision and power saw her control . Read about our approach to external linking. Hence, the runaway bullet description. Then two through Janie: former Edinburgh and Scotland 7s player Jim Thompson and other son Alex. Stradey Park was the home ground for Llanelli RFC. But this quote always comes back to me when a tall and ungainly youngster breaks free. McLaren studied in Aberdeen and taught PE until 1987, coaching three players who went on to star for Scotland: Jim Renwick, Colin Deans and Tony Stanger. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. You'll see why. He particularly enjoyed having the Sunday pulpit to himself at the Observer rather than the daily grind at the Guardian. Bill McLaren's 'Best Bits' - Highlights from the Voice of Rugby The image would haunt him for the rest of his days. Not just a Scottish rugby legend, Bill McLaren is widely regarded as one of the greatest sports broadcasters of all time. About Bill McLaren: Scottish rugby union player (1923 - 2010 McLarens final commentary in Cardiff eight years ago the 2002 Six Nations clash between Wales and Scotland saw the Millennium Stadium crowd sing For Hes a Jolly Good Fellow in his honour. But in that same year he contracted tuberculosis, and so began the second fight for his life. Sandy Ryan wins WBO welterweight world title with victory over Marie Bill McLaren - The Telegraph (modern). On Phil Bennett: "They say down at Stradey that if ever you catch him [Phil Bennett] you get to make a wish." The Bill McLaren Foundation, a charity which exists to develop and promote rugby union and sporting opportunities, was launched at Murrayfield Stadium on 4 March 2010. He had a twin brother Jim who also played for Scotland and toured with the Lions (New Zealand in 1983). His grammar school-educated father, Kenneth, was a research chemist who played amateur football for Wycombe Wanderers and three times for English representative sides as an inside-forward. Eddie Butler was a rarity in top-class sport. In this case, McLaren is referring to the entire Springbok pack. In his early union career, he toured with the British and Irish Lions to New Zealand aged only 22. Boyce, 65, said: I cant think of anyone in rugby football who was more loved and more respected than Bill McLaren. Barry John, yes, maybe. [2], McLaren's journalistic career started as a junior reporter with the Hawick Express. He was selected for the British and Irish Lions in 1967, 1971, and 1974. Its like trying to tackle a snooker table. Lets just say that like all the best props, Ubugo had a substantial posterior. 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. Professional rugby has not always been kind to the romantics. Rugby greats pay tribute to Bill McLaren, who died yesterday ), He could sidestep 3 men in a telephone box, Hes like a demented ferret up a wee drainpipe., On Scotlands towering Doddie Weir running with the ball, like a run-away giraffe., On Irelands Simon Geoghegan, Irish winger Hes like Bambi on speed., On NZs Grant Batty: He plays like a runaway bullet., On SAs Carel Du Plessis the prince of left wings.. 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.. This refers to Scottish fullback Gavin Hastings. *Hes like a raging bull with a bad head. Edward Thomas Butler, rugby player and sports journalist, born 8 May 1957; died 15 September 2022, Rugby player who won 16 caps for Wales and went on to become an Observer journalist and a leading commentator for the BBC, Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning, 2023 Guardian News & Media Limited or its affiliated companies.
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