‘Mercy me’ – Jonah Lomu Rugby commentary perfectly dubbed over the 1997 British & Irish Lions series
Bill McLaren and Bill Beaumont talking over the 1997 British & Irish Lions series.
Those in need of a large dollop of nostalgia will find it here as the British & Irish Lions social media team have absolutely nailed this Jonah Lomu Rugby voiceover video.
Viewed by many as still being the greatest rugby union game ever made – amazing as it was released in 1997 – gameplay and commentary were two of the main plus points.
The late, great Bill McLaren was lead commentator on the game that gave children and adults hours and hours of joy on the PlayStation and other platforms. He was joined by now World Rugby chairman Sir Bill Beaumont, who was co-commentator, and the duo produced lines that became synonymous with the game and remembered to this day.
Rugby nostalgia
“Mercy me, that could have put him in Ward Four”. “They don’t build them like that anymore”. “Digs like a demented mole there”. We’re sure that you remember them all.
Well, Official Lions Rugby’s Facebook page has created an epic video of their greatest moments from the 1997 tour to South Africa with the commentary dubbed over.
From Jeremy Guscott’s crucial drop-goal to Scott Gibbs bumping off Os du Randt and Keith Wood’s kick and chase downfield, there are some memorable moments here.
Comments on the Facebook post were, of course, hugely positive as rugby supporters clearly have fond memories of the game and also that series win over the Springboks.
“Flashbacks to Jonah Lomu with that legendary commentary! Bill McLaren, the best ever and will never be bettered!” Fintan D Flannelly wrote under the 1997 footage.
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Mark O’Sullivan was also clearly a fan of the video, writing: “Jonah Lomu rugby was something else. That’s a huge Gary Owen, he kicked that like it was a pound of mince.”
Hayden Viles also touched on the sad loss of All Blacks rugby legend Lomu, who died in 2015. “RIP the great man, Jonah. What a PlayStation game that was.” Viles commented.
What is your view, is ‘Jonah Lomu Rugby’ the greatest game the sport has ever had or did the likes of ‘Rugby 08’ or a later edition take that tag? Comment with your view.
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