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. "Give me a wee tug on the sleeve, son, if you want to come in." He played in the second row and captained New Zealand eleven times. But in that same year he contracted tuberculosis, and so began the second fight for his life. However, when it comes to monster kicks, there can be only Welsh rugby player worthy of that giant-sized accolade. He was capped for England 57 times between 1985 and 1993. After that tour, he switched to playing league but then returned to union. The Late Great Bill McLaren did! 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. I dont remember Beaumont as being particularly large. As well as being awarded an MBE, OBE and CBE, Bill became the first non-international player to be inducted into the International Rugby Hall of Fame. On Victor Ubogus behind England v South Africa. *The All Blacks that day looked like great prophets of doom. Something went wrong, please try again later. It is not being overly melancholic to say that the Six Nations Championship has never seemed quite the same since McLaren retired. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. 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. [9], In later life, McLaren contracted Alzheimer's; he had been renowned for his excellent memory.[10]. This refers to Springbok Mark Andrews and Scotlands Doddie Weir competing for the ball in the lineout. In his early union career, he toured with the British and Irish Lions to New Zealand aged only 22. Butler, who played 16 times for Wales and was called up as a replacement for the Lions in New Zealand in 1983, was a tireless charity fundraiser. 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 . 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]. Here is McLaren watching a kicker for Hawick Harlequins who is furious with himself for missing a penalty kick. [1] Renowned throughout the sport, his enthusiasm and memorable turn of phrase endeared him to many. All 60 Of The Best quotes are categorised as follows: Celebrations x 1; Fisticuffs x 3; Tough Guys x 5; Big Boys x15; Running x 12; Passing x 1; Kicking x 10; Jumping x 4; Weather x 2; Absolute Classic McLaren x 5; Looking Back x 2 Encouraging students x 1; Sportsmanship x 1. There was also an internet campaign last year to give McLaren, from Hawick in the Scottish Borders, a knighthood for his work. He was a pivotal part of the Pontypool side that was created by Ray Prosser and dominated Welsh club rugby in the late 1970s and early 1980s, captaining the side between 1982 and 1985. His charging runs may be what Maclaren is referring to in the quote. Early life and rugby career. *Those props are as cunning as a bag o weasels. He said: I had the pleasure of co-commentating with him and learning from one of the best commentators the sport has ever seen or heard. Let's see if you can match the quote to the player or coach! One of his grandfathers was a brickie in the steelworks in Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire. At the East Fortune sanatorium inEast Lothian, he was selected as one offive patients to take part in trials for anew antibiotic, streptomycin. You may also know him as a top blazer in World Rugby. I dont know which big man won the ball. I think hes muttering a few naughty Hawick words. Heres a comment about a different placekicker. A flanker, he had a trial for Scotland in 1947 and was on the verge of a full international cap when he contracted tuberculosis, which nearly killed him. [2] Renowned throughout the sport, his enthusiasm and memorable turn of phrase endeared him to many. When his body never his voice began to show signs of age and the second finger of his right hand curled down permanently into his palm, he was told that a simple operation might restore it to the vertical. 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. But the twins never played on the same Scotland team! Bill believed in sportsmanship shaking hands, thanking the ref, respect, fun and, of course, competition. He became more famous once his playing days were over for his work as a broadcaster, journalist and novelist. You'll see why. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. Youll find some lists of McLaren quotes that dont clarify who hes talking about. He was used as a forward spotter, and on one occasion was confronted by a mound of 1,500 corpses in an Italian churchyard, an unpleasant experience which never left him. Bill McLaren followed the likes of Peter O'Sullevan, John Arlott, Harry Carpenter and Murray Walker into retirement and a generation of BBC commentators had finally fallen silent. At 63, Meads wasnt particularly tall. He loved it when he got abuse from the terraces. It hurt him just before his retirement in 2002 that he was once denied access to an Australian training session. You can probably tell that McLaren wasnt too impressed with Browns kicking style! Bennett had also played against New Zealand for the Barbarians in 1973. Ive still got the fictional reports I used to write when I was a wee boy of seven or eight. The couple famously used to play 18 holes of golf together every day. Bill McLaren died on 19 January 2010 at the age of 86 in his home town of Hawick. He was a forward spotter deep in hostile territory, often on his own, identifying enemy targets and relaying the information back to his unit. Among the personal highlights of his career were the commentary for Scotlands Grand Slam victory over England at Murrayfield in 1990. Barry John, yes, maybe. Boyce, 65, said: I cant think of anyone in rugby football who was more loved and more respected than Bill McLaren. He toured with the Lions in 1977 to South Africa. There was no audio, but you didnt need to speak Scots to lip-read that he was saying something that rhymed with rucking hell. This video contains content from Six Nations Rugby, who has blocked it in your country on copyright grounds Bill McLaren's 'Best Bits' - Highlights from the Voice of Rugby Bill McLaren. 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. 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. Fri 10th Feb @PrestonfieldHH Get your tickets today!! Keep up to date with the latest stories with our WalesOnline newsletter. It was there that Bill became music. His voice was unmistakable to generations of rugby fans, who grew up listening to a man whose knowledge and enthusiasm were equalled only by his impartiality. *Ive hardly ever had to pay to get in (the best thing in his view about 50 years of commentary at rugby matches). Professional rugby has not always been kind to the romantics. No one will ever evoke the spirit of Rugby like Bill. This is how it sounds when McLaren says cow. He found the vitriol among supporters and the media in Wales over the top for then amateur sportsmen. 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. On Jonah Lomu Its like trying to tackle a snooker table!, Now Im not a hodman, but if I saw Jonah Lomu running at me Id be putting down bricks, Ill tell you. [on Jonah Lomu]. Brown was a forward who took the place kicks. [5][6], He played in a Scotland trial in 1947 and was on the verge of a full international cap before contracting tuberculosis. Bill played for Combined Services XV in Italy in 1946, Hawick High School XV in 1937 with Bill McLaren, second from right on back row, The secret mine that hid the Nazis' stolen treasure. There is another more coarse use of the term laying bricks which could also apply at the sight of Lomu charging towards you. In other words, the first part refers to Hasting pulling up his shorts. The Welsh golden age ofthe 1970s would not have been so gilded without the soundtrack of Bill to the exploits ofGareth Edwards. Tell a friend. Butler. Something went wrong, please try again later. Dont forget, firstly, theres lots of rugby stories (scroll down the right hand side to see rugby in the categories) and secondly, there are 4 separate posts containing Bills Quotes. The late great, Bill McLaren was simply the world's best rugby commentator ever. McLaren, from Hawick in the Borders, was known as the "voice of rugby" and died . Rugby for orchestra and full voice, and nobody made a sound quite like Bill McLaren. Born in Hawick, in the Scottish Borders, in 1923, McLaren started out as a player and made the Hawick first XV prior to the Second World War, during which he served with the Royal Artillery. *My goodness, that wee balls gone so high therell be snow on it when it comes down. [5], McLaren studied Physical Education in Aberdeen, and went on to teach PE in different schools throughout Scotland right through to 1987. At least the table doesnt bend and lean forward to crash through you. See more. Butler later became a published author. #TheVoiceOfRugby #BillMcLaren #JonathanDavies #AndrewCotter And what about Stradey? All rights reserved. I almost didnt include this one because I dont know which player its about. Hes like Bambi on speed. What a description of one of Irelands greatest wingers. Anyone on or off Facebook. Three ofthe five died. Bill McLaren was the best rugby commentator of all time and one of the best men the world has ever seen. [2] He coached several Hawick youngsters who went on to play for Scotland, including Jim Renwick, Colin Deans and Tony Stanger. Dinner plates cant clasp a ball. McLaren died on 19 January 2010 at the age of 86 in his home town of Hawick. The legendary commentator, who retired in 2002 after almost 50 years as a broadcaster, died in hospital yesterday morning, aged 86. McLaren, now in his 86th year, lives quietly at his home in Hawick, in the beautiful Scottish borders. For a year short of a full half-century, first on radio and from 1962 on BBC television, Bill's voice washed over rugby union, soothing and harmonious. Former Wales captain Gwyn Jones, 37, said McLaren was famous for dispensing Hawick balls Scottish butter mint sweets to everyone he met. 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Geoghegan was one of my favorite players in the early nineties, and I think McLaren describes him fairly well! His voice came to represent rugby in the same way Murray Walkers did motor racing and Peter OSullevans horse racing. By 1983 he was captaining the Wales side while working as a teacher at Cheltenham college, whose Cotswold stone cloisters were a world away from the slag-black surroundings of Pontypool. This refers to Wade Dooley who was a policeman who walked the beat in the seaside town of Blackpool. Hes up there with great commentators like John Arlott [cricket], Henry Longhurst [golf], Dan Maskell [tennis] and Peter Alliss [golf].. *And its a try by Hika the hooker from Ngongotaha (Wales v New Zealand 1980). 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. (c) Find someone who loves rugbyand send this link as a surprise gift (birthday, Christmas or any time just because you love them). Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in, Please refresh your browser to be logged in, Classic phrases from commentator Bill McLaren, Up to 30% off + free delivery with Nike promo codes for members, 20% off selected orders with this Footasylum discount code, 20% off your order - New Balance discount code, Extra 15% selected orders 80+ with this Go Outdoors discount code, 20% off everything with this Sweaty Betty discount code, Compare broadband packages side by side to find the best deal for you, Compare cheap broadband deals from providers with fastest speed in your area, All you need to know about fibre broadband, Best Apple iPhone Deals in the UK April 2023, Compare iPhone contract deals and get the best offer this April, Compare the best mobile phone deals from the top networks and brands. We inspire a new generation with amazing, true, two minute stories about sportsmanship. [2], McLaren's journalistic career started as a junior reporter with the Hawick Express. Im a little unsure on how to unpack this quote. If you want to know more about who hes talking about and what he actually means, read through the later sections of this article. Ubogo was a burly prop who could shift around the field. We showed earlier that McLaren had a ready quip about him and his brother. They say down at Stradey that if ever you catch him you get to make a wish. England was leading with minutes to go, and Gibbs took a pass from his teammate and cut back inside to get over the line. William Pollock "Bill" McLaren, CBE (16 October 1923 - 19 January 2010) was a Scottish rugby union commentator, teacher, journalist and one time rugby player. After captaining Pontypool between 1982 and 1985, Butler had a brief spell as a press and publicity officer at Radio Wales before beginning a career in newspaper journalism with the shortlived Sunday Correspondent (1989-90) and later the Observer and Guardian, before also returning to the BBC as a journalist. From giant winger to tiny wingerGrant Batty was only 55. He was known as 'The Voice Of Rugby'. The celebration, which will be held initially during October and November, will also feature items from his family life, his years as a PE teacher, where he introduced the likes of Jim Renwick, Colin Deans and Tony Stanger to the game of rugby, and also the 18 months he spent on an isolation wing after contracting tuberculosis. "We have now resurrected all of the furniture that was in there, things like the desk, the chair, the shelves, the typewriter and even the empty Hawick Balls tins he used for pens and paperclips. Television now rules the rugby broadcaster, but there are still some superb radio commentators.
