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Four unforgettable moments of Eddie Butler commentary

By Stefan Frost
Eddie Butler and Peter Jackson (Photo by Ross Setford/EMPICS via Getty Images)

The rugby world has been left saddened by the sudden passing of former Wales international and commentary juggernaut Eddie Butler.

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For many, Butler’s deep baritone was the voice of the Six Nations, his poetic soliloquies perfectly capturing the pomp and spectacle of every dramatic occasion.

Well-wishers, from Brian Moore to Jonathan Davies, have spoken of the privilege they felt calling games alongside the Welsh titan.

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And while his long stint behind the microphone was incredibly illustrious, let us not forget his equally impressive on-field career.

He studied French and Spanish at Cambridge, during which time he earnt his University Blues in three consecutive years. From then he captained Pontypool RFC, earnt 16 Wales caps and was picked for the British Lions in 1983.

After hanging up his boots in 1985, Butler moved into the media and has been at home there ever since.

There are countless examples of his lyrical brilliant in the commentary box. Below, RugbyPass takes a look at just a few of his most memorable moments.

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Ireland vs France, 2018
A late 45-metre drop goal by Johnny Sexton stole victory away from the French in this fixture at the Stade de France. With the clock in the red, the hosts were leading by a mere point, but their advantage slipped away right at the death thanks to a huge intervention from the Ireland fly-half.

The kick is one of the most infamous moments in the Six Nations and was captured brilliantly by Butler: “Sexton waits, here it comes. It looks good. He likes it. Nigel Owens’ arm goes up.

“And Ireland have stolen the game right at the death. And the players tear back into their own 22. And Guilhem Guirado – look at that face. Look at that body.

“France put themselves in a winning position, only for Ireland to steal it with the last kick of the game.”

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Wales vs England, 2005
Sometimes Butler would exercise his comical edge, even at the tensest of moments. The best example of this came when Wales were trailing England 8-9 in the 2005 Six Nations.

With four minutes left on the clock, Welsh fly-half Gavin Henson stepped up to take a long-range penalty near the right touchline.

At the time, Henson was known for his grooming habits and so, in the build up to the kick, Butler jokingly referenced the shaving habits of the Welsh back, perfectly balancing it with suitable roar when the penalty was converted.

“If he kicks this, he can shave whichever part of his body he wants.”

Butler then paused as Henson approaches the ball before slotting the kick, much to the delight of the home crowd.

“Fantastic. Shave away Gavin, shave away. Wales are in the lead.”

Wales vs Ireland, 2005
In the final round of the same Six Nations, Wales faced Ireland with the chance of winning a first Grand Slam in 27 years. Wales delivered, with the weight of history upon their shoulders, toppling Ireland to also claim a first Triple Crown in 16 years.

When commentating on the game, Butler used his trademark imagery and patient commentary to capture the emotional magnitude of the occasion. His most memorable lines came when Kevin Morgan crossed the line to all but confirm the win.

“Michael Owen with the dummy. Oh he has got wonderful hands the Welsh number eight.

“Martin Williams with the dive pass. Tom Shanklin, Shanklin for the line. KEVIN MORGAN!

“Morgan, to put the seal on the win. To put the cream on a Grand Slam cake.”

Wales vs England, 2008
For years Twickenham was a fortress for England. A place where few visitors enjoyed success.

But all that changed in 2008 when Wales mounted a second half comeback and scored 20 unanswered points in 13 minutes to topple England 26-19.

The win was Wales’ first in 20 years on English soil and marked the emphatic opening of the Warren Gatland era.

The comeback reached its height when Lee Byrne dotted down in the corner and was elevated by the words of Butler.

“It’s all happening. Lee Byrne! And the conversion would bring the scores level. Warren Gatland’s Wales are back. They said they wouldn’t give up. They haven’t.

“Oh England what have you done and Wales what are you doing.”

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J
Jon 9 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

This is the problem with conservative mindsets and phycology, and homogenous sports, everybody wants to be the same, use the i-win template. Athlete wise everyone has to have muscles and work at the gym to make themselves more likely to hold on that one tackle. Do those players even wonder if they are now more likely to be tackled by that player as a result of there “work”? Really though, too many questions, Jake. Is it better Jake? Yes, because you still have that rugby of ole that you talk about. Is it at the highest International level anymore? No, but you go to your club or checkout your representative side and still engage with that ‘beautiful game’. Could you also have a bit of that at the top if coaches encouraged there team to play and incentivized players like Damian McKenzie and Ange Capuozzo? Of course we could. Sadly Rugby doesn’t, or didn’t, really know what direction to go when professionalism came. Things like the state of northern pitches didn’t help. Over the last two or three decades I feel like I’ve been fortunate to have all that Jake wants. There was International quality Super Rugby to adore, then the next level below I could watch club mates, pulling 9 to 5s, take on the countries best in representative rugby. Rugby played with flair and not too much riding on the consequences. It was beautiful. That largely still exists today, but with the world of rugby not quite getting things right, the picture is now being painted in NZ that that level of rugby is not required in the “pathway” to Super Rugby or All Black rugby. You might wonder if NZR is right and the pathway shouldn’t include the ‘amateur’, but let me tell you, even though the NPC might be made up of people still having to pull 9-5s, we know these people still have dreams to get out of that, and aren’t likely to give them. They will be lost. That will put a real strain on the concept of whether “visceral thrill, derring-do and joyful abandon” type rugby will remain under the professional level here in NZ. I think at some point that can be eroded as well. If only wanting the best athlete’s at the top level wasn’t enough to lose that, shutting off the next group, or level, or rugby players from easy access to express and showcase themselves certainly will. That all comes back around to the same question of professionalism in rugby and whether it got things right, and rugby is better now. Maybe the answer is turning into a “no”?

35 Go to comments
j
john 11 hours ago
Will the Crusaders' decline spark a slow death for New Zealand rugby?

But here in Australia we were told Penney was another gun kiwi coach, for the Tahs…….and yet again it turned out the kiwi coach was completely useless. Another con job on Australian rugby. As was Robbie Deans, as was Dave Rennie. Both coaches dumped from NZ and promoted to Australia as our saviour. And the Tahs lap them up knowing they are second rate and knowing that under pressure when their short comings are exposed in Australia as well, that they will fall in below the largest most powerful province and choose second rate Tah players to save their jobs. As they do and exactly as Joe Schmidt will do. Gauranteed. Schmidt was dumped by NZ too. That’s why he went overseas. That why kiwi coaches take jobs in Australia, to try and prove they are not as bad as NZ thought they were. Then when they get found out they try and ingratiate themselves to NZ again by dragging Australian teams down with ridiculous selections and game plans. NZ rugby’s biggest problem is that it can’t yet transition from MCaw Cheatism. They just don’t know how to try and win on your merits. It is still always a contest to see how much cheating you can get away with. Without a cheating genius like McCaw, they are struggling. This I think is why my wise old mate in NZ thinks Robertson will struggle. The Crusaders are the nursery of McCaw Cheatism. Sean Fitzpatrick was probably the father of it. Robertson doesn’t know anything else but other countries have worked it out.

44 Go to comments
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