One of the joys of watching the Rugby World Cup is being exposed to different commentary. It provides a fresh perspective on the game and makes you realise the shortcomings of the callers you listen to regularly.
Commentating a game of rugby (and I speak with some experience here) is not easy. The game is played at a high speed, has regular stoppages, technical rules and a demanding audience.
Who you like and dislike is ultimately very subjective.
But if any rugby commentator should have a role model, Gordon Bray would surely rank high on the list.
Growing up in New Zealand, I first became aware of Gordon’s commentaries in the early 2000s after attaining pay television and watching Wallabies Tests on a frequent basis.
I liked Gordon straight away, but when the TV rights situation changed in Australia he vanished from my universe.
Recently he has resurfaced on the foreign feeds – and what a treat.
There are several things that separate Gordon from his peers.
His unique voice, for a start, is a real asset. It’s not viciously nasal like a lot of Australian voices, it’s kind of soothing, and sounds authoritative and excitable without being too pitchy.
Gordon doesn’t scream hysterically like some commentators (Justin Marshall take note). At the end of the Japan versus South Africa game – which was easily the most exciting moment of the tournament – he simply said, “Your eyes have seen the glory!” A very succinct and eloquent line that captured the moment perfectly.
Gordon is not biased. He doesn’t fawn over the Wallabies like the Sky commentators in New Zealand fawn over the All Blacks. He acknowledges excellence and error from both teams in a balanced fashion.
He explains the rules very clearly and the fact that he is a Level 2 qualified referee helps this. A lot of commentators are quick to jump on the backs of the referees when they actually don’t know what they are talking about.
He doesn’t over-talk and uses silence as an effect, which is powerful on TV. He rarely ventures into over-abused clichés.
But the most impressive feature of Gordon’s commentary is the insight he provides into the players and his quick wit. Listening to Gordon commentate a game is an education. He personalises the participants, makes them relevant.
When Fiji played Uruguay and Uruguay came out on the field, he went through the occupations of the players rather than merely saying, “Here comes Uruguay.” This immediately provided a context to the magnitude of the challenge facing Uruguay.
What about this line on Japan’s Amanaki Mafi?
“There’s Mafi; he’s the 15th of 16 kids in his family!”
And when there was a huge pile-up for the TMO to sort out, “Hey! Where’s Clark Kent when you need him?”
When Australia played Wales, he set the scene by explaining the colourful history of Twickenham, saying something along the lines of, “The former cabbage patch has been the home of rugby for over a century. A great theatre, it hosted the 1991 World Cup final won by Australia. Twickenham has hosted U2 and the Rolling Stones. It’s even hosted the Jehovah Witnesses.”
Gordon adds to the picture and enhances the enjoyment of the game without becoming bigger than the game like some commentators’ egos do.
Gordon Bray is a commentator for the big occasions.
rod finnegan
Guest
Interesting trivia for Mr Gordon Bray, or whoever may be interested, I am pretty sure that Cliff Palu & Tatafu Polota-Nau's mother's went to school together at Queen Salote College in Tonga ! I am a friend Cliffy's family. I'm sure he won't mind me telling you - Keta Palu was quite an athlete !
peeeko
Guest
wasnt a bad ref either, he penalised me for being offside a few times in the 90s colts days
Nola Dell
Guest
Good article on a great commentator. As an all codes football supporter, I only wish that we could have a caller like Gordon in the other codes, especially League, where we have to suffer Gus and crew.
Lorry
Guest
Gordon has the dulcet tones of the north shore and is humble! Clarkey is like Gordon but minus the tidbits of personal info. Gregan is a mumbling mess and Eales doesnt say much of importance. The English guy who is quite good and the old Saffa Hugh Bladen is hilarious! Kafer is great and yes a bit pompous . kearns is a funny sad sack. Marto is an atrocious bogan who should be commentating with Andrew Johns and co.
Digger9
Guest
There really is a paucity of great rugby commentators at the moment. Several years since his passing and I still miss the great John Drake immensely. That guy was streets better than any commentator then or now.
The Garloot
Guest
I loves his silence after the Whistle in Japan SA match. A true Benaud masterclass in that you don't have to talk when the pictures of pure jubilation tell you everything. Joel Stranski not on the same page when he finally cracked in the silence to say something banal. Worth watching again. Stranski must of thought Gordon had dozed off. No Joel, you are just an amateur. On the negative side I don't like how he uses stones to describe weight. in fact I hate it. No one under the age of 55 understands that system and only Bill Mclaren could get away with it.
Johnno
Guest
Gordon Bray doesn't appeal to Gen-Y nor try to please Gen-Y, the new rugby young rugby audiences. In other words he's not hip enough for Gen-Y or modern enough. He reminds me of a classics teacher in Latin, when everyone says words like funky or cool,or Uber he's teaching Latin. The late Peter Roebuck was the same, old fashioned from another era, not Gen-Y enough. So Gordon Bray's style has no role in modern Australia, nor does Bruce Mcavanney or Denis Cometi. I like Matt Burke he's hip and modern. And Sean Maloney give me any day over Gordon Bray, at least Sean Maloney talks like a regular aussie and has a laugh the Gen-Y way.
Connor33
Guest
Great article, Adam. I actually like the NZ commentators on Sky. Ian Smith is great. But, yes, hard for anyone to come close to Bray.
RobC
Roar Guru
Gday Adam, thanks for this. Good topic. It is nice to see Bray back in action I like to listen to James Brown's music when watching games. I will be doing so again tonight Bray is better than Fox. But what I like best are good replays well explained and in context What I would prefer is a commenting team: - who can guide viewers what the challenge will be in the next chapter or next campaign - in more clear terms with visual aids - explained in context of similar situation in previous engagements - highlighting the skills of attacking and defending players / combinations to pull this off - implication on game strategy if the producers works on stuff like this, you will find the v same crew deliver a much better performance
Gavin Fernie
Guest
Gordon Bray is a very good rugby commentator, and is in the same class as the late, splendid Bill McLaren. In South Africa we have a plethora of dreadful commentators, so called expert analysts, and a very few objective rugby experts... the emphasis is on the word.. experts, who can speak English which is understandable (I am referring to those individuals whose first language is English; not those whose first language is Afrikaans or Xhosa or Zulu, or one of the other indigenous dialects) For instance, Ashwin Willemse is still entertaining and knowledgeable, even if occasionally he comes out with gems. Nick Mallett is articulate and knowledgeable. Naas Botha murders the English language but knows more about rugby than most. All three are knowledgeable and interesting. The less said about one individula with a trademark adenoidal whine, a former outstanding loose forward who is utterly boring, and a few others who blight the panels, the better. The Kearns gang are also dreadful. TJ and Bray are splendid commentators. It is a difficult challenge, but a clutch of those polluting the airwaves, is one audio nightmare too far.
Ray nicholson
Guest
Adam, You must be taking the mickey! Gordon bray not biased. You are fair dinkum joking. He is the most one eyed wallaby lover ever closely followed by phil Kearns. At least the NZ commentators have something to spuik about. They have the worlds best team, not a group of wannabes who are paid miles above their ability and potential. When was it the wallabies cleaned out their dressing room after a game like the All blacks do every game. When was the last time an All Black played up in public? Not the Wannabies. Kurtley Beale carries on like a pork chop last year for about the fourth time and doesn't even get dropped. They are a disgrace and not worth 10% of what they get paid let alone any "putting up on pedestals" by people like Gordon Bray. Ray
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
Homebush Boys High is a State school, The Mountain. That is where Gordon Bray went to school.
wardad
Guest
Bill McClaren sprang to mind immediately for me too , but as far as Aussie commentators go Bray is ahead of the braying herd by a large margin .
Cros
Guest
Bray is without parallel. Unfortunately he was probably moved sideways as he came across too 'cultured' for Australian tastes. In a country that suffers 'rah-rah-itis' , which is essentially tall poppy syndrome, Bray was seen as too eloquent and 'learned' for some. For me growing up and listening to Gordon's commentaries will always be good memories. Great to see others appreciate his humility and contribution to Rugby and sport generally. Just like a good vintage.
hopalong
Guest
Sorry.Hugh Bladen
Bakkies
Guest
Hugh Bladen does that as well.
Lara
Guest
He is the only Oz commentator I listen to , the rest I turn to mute.
pjm
Roar Rookie
You probably prefer Ray Hadleys commentary, and you probably also listen to his talk show.
Trebla
Guest
Yes Gordon Bray brings back good memories of great rugby eras. He seems to have been commentating forever. In the late 70s he used to call Sydney club rugby on channel 2, and the broadcast would end with highlights of Laurie Monahagn kicking a 40 metre field goal. Every week we would hear Gorgon Brays excitable voice " Monahagn, the drop goal, it's there!" . You would hear kids repeating it at footy training whenever they tried to kick a field goal. Clearly the greatest Australian commentator of Rugby, and he was pretty good at the Olympics too.
George
Guest
Rugby Union has LAWS not Rules, otherwise good article.