The late great, Bill McLaren was simply the world’s best rugby commentator ever. He was known as ‘The Voice Of Rugby’. You’ll see why. Bill believed passionately in sportsmanship. So in celebration of the 6 Nations Rugby Championship which starts this weekend we’ll publish 6o of the best quotes from the master himself, plus a piece by, Bill’s daughter, Linda, who wrote something special for us (see end).
Bill believed in sportsmanship – shaking hands, thanking the ref, respect, fun and, of course, competition. He loved the characters in the game. His unique descriptions and authoritive voice added so much excitement, intrigue and enthral. So here’s part 1 of 4: the first 15 from 60.
Celebrations
“They will be dancing in the street’s tonight.” When a good try was scored
Fisticuffs
“A little bit of argy-bargy there.”
“Those props are as cunning as a bag o’ weasels.”
“He’s like a raging bull with a bad head.”
Tough Guys
“You wouldn`t want to meet him in a dark alleyway!”
“Wade Dooley the big Blackpool policeman standing like a lighthouse at the back of the lineout”
“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.”
As Scott and Craig waited to join the fray on the touchline: “There’s the Quinnell brothers, two well nourished individuals”
Referring to one of the French front row as “having a face like a carpenters bag o’chisels”
Big Boys
“Big Vleis Visagie – born when meat was cheap!”
On Andre Venter “He’s no oil painting, but look at him working the blind side like a pop-up toaster!”
On Os du Randt “There he goes – South Africa’s rhino!”
On Finlay Calder – “hands like dinner plates!”
“John Jeffrey – the big Kelso farmer – gathers the ball…”
On Scott Gibbs “When he hits you, you think the roof has just fallen in.”
Bill’s Daughter, Linda, Wrote These Words For Us
In the 2 years since Dad died we have become aware of how highly he was respected and loved, not only in rugby circles but also in the wider world community. Two of the main reasons for that were the warm human touch he had with people from all backgrounds as well as the values he held dear throughout his life and career.
He was well known for his honesty, fairness, integrity, self-discipline, loyalty, humour and kindness and these, among many other fine characteristics, are the qualities we aim to promote, especially in youngsters, through the Foundation which has been created in his name. We plan to achieve this by encouraging children to become involved in the game of rugby and in doing so to develop the many vital skills which are so important in everyday life.
I hope Dad would be proud to know that he is still remembered so fondly and that his legacy will continue to make a difference in the future.
60 Of The Best – Great Quotes from the late great Bill McLaren
Running x 11; Passing x 1; Kicking x 10; Jumping x 4; Celebrations x 1; Fisticuffs x 3 Tough Guys x 5; Big Boys x14; Weather x 2; Absolute Classic McLaren x 5; Looking Back x 2; Encouraging students x 1; Sportsmanship x 1
Bill Mclaren Quotes Part 2 about Big Guys and Runners (15 x Quotes)
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)
Please
(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 Bill’s commentaries meant to you (add them below in the ‘Leave a Reply’ box at the very end of other comments) and/or
(c) Find someone who loves rugby and send this link as a surprise gift (birthday, Christmas or any time just because you love them). It doesn’t have to be someone who actually heard Bill. Younger rugby lovers marvel at Bill’s turn of phrase, his sense of sportsmanship and camaraderie and if you listen to Bill’s 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.
His voice in my opinion was really and truly the only voice…the only commentator who understood the soul of rugby and was able to express it. Nice to have him back in my life again.
As a younger follower of rugby i only know of Bills one liners and great commentarty through legend. Simply Legendary
I read Bill’s book and got shivers. I felt so strongly that I wanted to write to him to tell how I felt – his book touched me even though I never met the man. Lovely to hear his daughter’s words and that his name is still alive in rugby and still respected.
A great commentator all right but also a wonderful human being….when you listen to some of todays commentators with their self opinionated drivel you realise just how magnificent Bill was and how much he added to the enjoyment of the televised game. Sorely missed still by all rugby enthusiasts who ever heard him.
His voice just reminds me of watching the internationals on BBC TV in the 1970’s with my Dad. He is just part of the personal baggage you pick up as you pass through life reminding me in part of why I love Rugby so much.
What a true gent, great commentater and voice of rugby who set the scene and had a wonderful way of describing the game and the players – I count myself as a well nourished individual! Loved the game since I was a kid (season ticket holder at the mighty Glawster) and his voice was Saturday afternoon internationals when they all kicked off at 2.30!
Well said guys
@Graham his voice was Staurday afternoon international rugby – it wa eslectrifying to hear Bill McLaren.
@Steve – too true my father was an absolute fan of Bill Mclaren too.
@Jonny L – agree when you hear today’s commentators it does make you think just how outstanding Billl McLaren was
@Johnny M – nice words and yes his daughter, Linda’s words made this so special.
@Shane yes he is a legend. Ihope this post and the other 4 (3 already posted (see the links in the article) – will spread the legend and encourage other commentators to learn from the master Bill McLaren.
I believe he may have said a cracking comment about my friend Jack Morley who sadly died in April this year. I know Jack loved it and he only played once I believe for Scotland. How could I find it ?
Tracy – try Scottish RFU – they should list all the Scottish teams for every game they played. Sift through the team lists. Find they game he played in, date and venue. Equipped with that BBC Archives might be able to help? BBC would have filmed the match and it’s in the archives somewhere. They are doing work with making their archives more accessible – so yur timing might be good. Then watch the match & find the quote! Good luck with it. Let me know if you have any luck. ~ Paul ~ PS try googling Bill McLaren and Jack Morley. PPS Presume yo have double checked all 4 parts of my Bill McLaren quotes?
Bad day at work and I decided to look up some of Bill’s lines. Brings me back to the early 80s watching tape delay internationals in Canada. I didn’t see two of my favourites listed:
After a Gavin Hastings clearance kick, “Safe as houses; warm as toast”.
I don’t remember who he was referring to during a powerful #8 pickup but, “18 stone and loves to ramble.
They just don’t make them like him in any sport anymore.
Wonderful stuff Tony. Many thanks, I’ll add “18 stone and loves to ramble to post 2/4
& also “Safe as houses; warm as toast”….I think I’ll have to create a new category ‘catching’. For now I’ll post it into post 4/4. Thanks again. Hope you find the 6 Nations downloadable Fixtures, Facts, Quotes & Quiz http://www.greatmomentsofsportsmanship.com/6-nations-rugby-facts-fixtures-quiz/
I was lucky enough to read his signed book having heard his fantastic voice for many years. It’s inspiring and his pride of his home town Hawick shines through.
His quotes must be kept alive, ideally through his voice as they lose some impact without this.
Yes John, Bill must be kept alive. A whole new generation need to hear him in action. In fact I’m sure I have an excerpt of his last ever recorded commentary. I’ll have a search for this and add it when I find it. I recently photographed his match notes for his last game – the work of a true master – massive detailed research. I will add these amazing photos. Thanks for your comment John. ~ Paul
As a Springbok supporter I can remember him referring to Carel Du Plessis (who I had the privilege of playing with for two seasons) as the ‘prince of left wings’. I also remember him referring to Hennie Bekker as South Africa’s roving lighthouse. And then there was the classic reference to the heaviest Springbok ever, Flippie van der Merwe as 138KG of prime South African beef. Nothing close to him around anymore. A legend, and by all accounts a gentleman of note.
Melt, this is wonderful stuff. Thanks for these gems. I’ll add them into the appropriate blog post (of the four Bill McLaren posts) later. Thanks again and belated congrats to you and all of our South African friends on winning the Rugby World Cup. Here are some posts about your RWC win plus other SA stories you and your friends might enjoy. https://greatmomentsofsportsmanship.com/?s=south+africa
Always great that Rugby connects so many from all Nations and peoples. (Almost like the Gospel). Thanks for the congrats Pau;. Our beat up little nation needed this last WC as much as in 1995. So that quote Bill made about Flippie van der Merwe being 138kg of prime SA beef, ended with a rather subdued, ‘Gosh…look at the size of the fella…’ To be honest Flippie van der Merwe was at least 25KG overweight lol
Sure aren’t we all! (after lockdown – overweight)!
There he is Wales new cap Stewart Evans, lying a little low in the water (obviously referring to his size?) he then goes on to say, I’d rather be up here saying that than down there to his face.
Yes Carl, nice one, Bill McLaren was hilarious as well as noble, honourable, humble, insightful, knowledgeable – even just the sound of his voice (‘the voice of rugby’) added so much atmosphere, tension and intrigue.
Here is a lovely one a Scots mate of mine Colin MacDougall reminded me of a while back. ‘And Peter Brown has h -h – headed the ball into touch…my goodness you don’t see that very often.’ (Sorry for the Scots loss to Wales…)
Nice one Melt. Is that the same Peter Brown, captain of Scotland? If yes have a look at his most wonderful short letter he wrote last year but it was so good we published it this year when brought to our attention. It is truly magnificent.
Yes, the same Peter Brown who captained Scotland. I will have a look thanks!
Many fond memories of the ‘great man’ from my time as a steward at Murrayfield & he actually gave me a Hawick Ball. A couple of my favourite quotes are ‘It’s like one of my Golf shots’ (when the conversion or penalty kick was sliced), & the other one I like was ‘ it’s a bit inebriated, but it’s there’ ( when a penalty kick or conversion only just got over the bar).
John – thanks for sharing that and what an honour to have known the great Bill McLaren. And he gave you a Hawick ball (golf ball I assume). Please tell me that you never played with it (and lost it – like I lose all my best golf balls)!!