138KG of prime South African beef referring to the Springboks heaviest player ever, Flippie van der Merwe. Colin Meads was capped 55 times for the All Blacks from 1957 to 1971. #TheVoiceOfRugby #BillMcLaren #JonathanDavies #AndrewCotter Its like trying to tackle a snooker table. *I was there (at Twickenham) in 1938 when Scotland won 28-16. He went on the first two of those tours. Heres another interesting fact about Finlay. Llanelli were one of the 11 founding clubs of the WRU in 1881 and one of the most famous names in world club rugby, producing legends such as Phil Bennett, Ray Gravell, Delme Thomas and Ieuan Evans. Hence, the runaway bullet description. Known as 'the voice of rugby', he retired from commentating in 2002. Regarding He could sidestep 3 men in a telephone box would this be a welsh wizard, Barry John? William Pollock McLaren CBE (16 October 1923 19 January 2010) was a Scottish rugby union commentator, teacher, journalist and one time rugby player. Renwick was also a placekicker, although not the usual first-choice kicker for his country. Breeks are breeches. Dinner plates cant clasp a ball. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. Calder also captained the Lions on tour to Australia in 1989. The 62 year old, who has become a well-known commentator since playing, said: I enjoyed having banter with him before every Wales Scotland match. Gerald Davies was capped for Wales as a centre in 1966. There is another more coarse use of the term laying bricks which could also apply at the sight of Lomu charging towards you. With the cameras trained on his face, the Scotsman yelled out his frustration. You will be inspired! Bill Mclaren would never be so uncouth. Three of his grandchildren went on to play rugby, with Rory Lawson and Jim Thompson both current professionals. This is how it sounds when McLaren says cow. However, this is nothing new. Geoghegan was one of my favorite players in the early nineties, and I think McLaren describes him fairly well! Please do pass the word on so many more people can enjoy the spirit of the late great Bill McLaren. Known as 'the voice of rugby', he retired from commentating in 2002. Calder was an openside flanker who was known for his abrasive play. Last weeks 15 Quotes from Bill covered Celebrations, Fisticuffs, Tough Guys & some Big Boys. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. Not just a Scottish rugby legend, Bill McLaren is widely regarded as one of the greatest sports broadcasters of all time. There was an incident in a match where Ubogos shorts were ripped down the side. The BBC also wheeled Butler out when big, multi-sport events were taking place, his seemingly effortless bardic style bringing them to life. 2023 BBC. (This usually doesnt end up well for the catcher!). Comments. With reference to Moss Keane prime Irish beef? Bill McLaren followed the likes of Peter OSullevan, John Arlott, Harry Carpenter and Murray Walker into retirement and a generation of BBC commentators had finally fallen silent. A banner was also held up by one of the Cardiff crowd proclaiming: "Bill McLaren is Welsh". Here is McLaren on a tall lock from the amateur era who also happened to be a copper. This article gives you the quotes., who hes referring to, and an explanation. This refers to the rather large and burly Doddie Weir, an outstanding Scottish lock. Stradey Park was the home ground for Llanelli RFC. They say down at Stradey that if ever you catch him you get to make a wish. However, when it comes to monster kicks, there can be only Welsh rugby player worthy of that giant-sized accolade. He almost jumped to his left and right without changing speed. Born in Newport, south-east Wales, Butler was a first-generation public schoolboy and a first generation Welshman. Im no hod-carrier but I would be laying bricks if he was running at me. He used to say about my speed, If you blink youd miss him and If you knock a light off he could jump into bed quicker than the light goes off. Meads grew up on a sheep farm and raised his own family on a farm. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. He served with the Royal Artillery in Italy during the Second World War,[2] including the Battle of Monte Cassino. He merely points out that the two brothers were well-fed! But in truth, he was much more than rugby's voice, more its full-blown orchestra, devoted to the works of the Romantic movement, and only the Romantic. The late great, Bill McLaren was simply the world's best rugby commentator ever. Perhaps it was the . Theres the Quinnell brothers, two well-nourished individuals. 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. This quote aptly describes most days when I watch the All Blacks take on my national team. The All Blacks that day looked like great prophets of doom. During the exhibition at Hawick Museum, thousands of previously unseen artefacts and photographs will help tell Bill's story from his early years, through his playing career and into his military service during World War Two. The quote comes from McLaren watching Hastings preparation before a place kick. He decided to leave well alone, since it seemed to improve his grip on his clubs. The proud scot also liked to use Scottish phrasing which sometimes needs interpretation for the rest of us. Historians in Hawick are working through thousands of books, videos and clippings in a bid to recreate Bill McLaren's "chaotic" research room. I think the jink is dying in modern rugby certainly the Welsh are trying to keep it alive lets hope its never lost. Dooley towered over the opposition at 68. Pity they couldnt get over for that second try. 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. New on @Playing_Pasts today A DRAGON AMONGST 'LIONS'! He was known as 'The Voice Of Rugby'. I dont remember Beaumont as being particularly large. *Hes like a demented ferret up a wee drainpipe. *Those props are as cunning as a bag o weasels. Just discovered this site I recall that a touch kick from one great home nation full back possibly Gavin Hastings or Paul Thorburn (?) 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. [15], McLaren has continued to be honoured for his legacy in Hawick and in the sport of rugby. The image would haunt him for the rest of his days. Bill McLaren was the best rugby commentator of all time and one of the best men the world has ever seen. Its similar to a coo kicking over a milk pail. His voice was almost operatic in its clarity and range as he described his son-in-law Alan Lawson scoring against England in 1976, when he managed to convey the excitement of the moment without bias, as only he could. Rugby for orchestra and full voice, and nobody made a sound quite like Bill McLaren. William Pollock "Bill" McLaren, CBE (16 October 1923 - 19 January 2010) was a Scottish rugby union commentator, teacher, journalist and one time rugby player. The great man from Hawick thrilled both radio and television listeners for almost half a century as a national broadcaster before retiring back in 2002. He saw no evil and spoke no evil. I think McLaren is saying that hed quickly lay bricks to build a wall as a defense. 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. But taking centre stage will be the recreation of Bill's study. 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. In the modern defensive game, locks are less likely to make breaks. *Tweet, tweet, tweet commentary on Scottish full-back Peter Dods strange run up to a penalty kick. You may also know him as a top blazer in World Rugby. Here is McLaren watching a lock forward making a break up the field. Scott had a longer career at the top end of international rugby. This is what McLaren had to say about Phil Bennett, the great Welsh flyhalf. Bill believed in sportsmanship shaking hands, thanking the ref, respect, fun and, of course, competition. The study of the "voice of rugby" was where match-day preparations took place during his 50-year career. Beaumont also captained England 21 times. (modern), Bill McLaren in 2002, the year of his retirement Photograph: Huw John / Rex Features. Here are seven quotes. A hod carrier is someone who works on a building site and carries a pile of bricks on something that looks like a shovel. 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. Rugby lost its true voice on Tuesday when much-loved and respected Scottish commentator Bill McLaren passed away at the age of 86. Thanks v much Jasen, keep them coming. 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. (a) Send us any Bill McLaren quotes you recall (add them below in the Leave a Reply box at the very end of other comments) and/or, (b) Tell us what Bills commentaries meant to you (add them below in the Leave a Reply box at the very end of other comments) and/or. Here is McLarens summary: Im sure youre familiar with Bambi, the baby deer with gangly legs. It is not. He was particularly renowned for his place kicking which won plenty of games for his country. [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". Ive still got the fictional reports I used to write when I was a wee boy of seven or eight. Early life and rugby career. After that tour, he switched to playing league but then returned to union. He stood 66 and carried a huge frame. 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". 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. From his first marriage, to Jennifer Jones, Butler had three children, Rebecca, Hannah and Jack. Here are the next 15 unique quotes from Bill McLaren: On French forward, Cristian Califano, built like a bicycle shed, And theres Beaumont in that English scrum looking like a man who enjoys his food , Theres a few stone o Border beef in that scrum, There goes 18 stones of prime Scottish beef on the hoof (anyone know who Bill is referring to here?). He famously ran down the field and barged through giant Springbok prop Os Du Randt. Anyone else know for sure who Bill was referring to when he said He could sidestep 3 men in a telephone box ? Sadly, McLaren, known as 'the voice of rugby' for his brilliant BBC commentaries, had died earlier in the year, but the visit to the Border town rekindled memories of Lawson's youth and gave him the subject matter to lift his side ahead of an encounter against the world champion Springboks. McLaren died on 19 January 2010 at the age of 86 in his home town of Hawick. 21K views, 416 likes, 40 loves, 28 comments, 44 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from The Welsh Rugby Union: #WALvENG75: . The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. He was known as The Voice Of Rugby. 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. The prop blithely stepped out of his breeks and bent over to put on the pristine pair. 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. I remember interviewing him once about his early influences, and he mentioned being impressed by the great Jack Manchester, captain of the All Blacks, in 1935. I suppose somebody had to be alongside him, to offer the odd jarring note, but once the game and Bill were in full flow, they were best left to themselves. It was only accessible from water or by abseiling, Experts make 'one of the world's greatest fossil discoveries' in Wales, They were found in rocks which lay under the sea over 460 million years ago, Wales Rugby World Cup training squad announcement as Gatland names host of new players, Warren Gatland has named his preliminary World Cup training squad ahead of three summer warm-up Tests and two training camps, Ryan Reynolds snubs star-studded Hollywood Met Gala to attend Wrexham trophy parade instead, The Deadpool star is set to snub the glitzy event in favour of the promotion party in north Wales, Good Morning Britain's Richard Madeley explains why wife Judy sleeps in the spare room, The outspoken TV presenter has tried to solve the problem with peanut butter - which isn't as bizarre as it sounds, Cardiff City news as Joe Ralls backs Sabri Lamouchi to stay and boss hits out at fixture pile-up, The latest news from the Cardiff City Stadium, Who is Henry Thomas? I dont care! Heres a comment about a different placekicker. His club was the Hawick Harlequins, Hawick being a town in Scotland. Scott played at centre and was bigger than most players at that level. McLaren passed away at the age of 86 in 2010. "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. 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. Stradey is a location in the middle of the town of Llanelli. Over the following five decades he became one of the most recognisable and favoured voices on radio and television. Three of the others died but I made what amounted to a miracle recovery.. These included Murray Walker (motor racing/Formula One), Peter O'Sullevan (horse racing), Harry Carpenter (boxing and rowing), Dan Maskell (tennis), David Coleman (athletics), Peter Alliss (golf) and John Arlott (cricket). They beat the world once by 70-3.. Renwick sent the ball sailing wide. McLaren lived in Hawick with wife Bette, who he met on a blind date at in the towns hall in 1947. He was educated at Monmouth School and Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge, where he studied French and Spanish between 1976 and 1978.Butler played as a number eight and gained Cambridge Blues in 1976, 1977 and 1978, Butler played in 16 matches for the Welsh national side between 1980 and 1984 and captained the side in six of those matches. [2] He would later play for Hawick RFC. @Rich am not sure could be Jones, or @Brendan could be Phil Bennet or Gerald Davies who could also jink. McLaren would have chuckled at that notion, but the love of rugby in Wales was something he always . 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. Its seven years now since the man with the golden voice finally laid down his famous microphone. His running action could look a little ungainly. 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. In 2000 Bill and Bette lost their daughter Janie to cancer. Murray added: "Bill was like the Wikipedia of rugby, long before there was Wikipedia. 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]. Boyce, 65, said: I cant think of anyone in rugby football who was more loved and more respected than Bill McLaren. [2] In 1953, he made his national debut for BBC Radio, covering Scotland's 120 loss to Wales. 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. Oct 20 Celebrate what would have been Bill's 100th year with fantastic company & storytelling from @JiffyRugby & @MrAndrewCotter, plus special guests! Some of his finest broadcasting work came in the form of montages and voiceovers during the London Olympics of 2012. The one-time captain of Wales was the natural heir of the voice of rugby, Bill McLaren, with whom he shared the BBC commentary box in his early days as a broadcaster. 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. But commanding the most space in the Wilton Park museum will be Bill's vast archive of rugby memorabilia and reports. At least the table doesnt bend and lean forward to crash through you. This week we continue with Big Boys. He moved out to the wing a few years later, where he played for his country through much of the 1970s. William Pollock Bill McLaren, CBE (16 October 1923 19 January 2010) was a Scottish rugby union commentator, teacher, journalist and one time rugby player. 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]. 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. Something went wrong, please try again later. Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference 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.
Jacob York Manager Father,
How Long Does Aoeah Take To Deliver,
Night Sweats After Moderna Covid Vaccine,
Articles B
