Brian Noble gets another gong after being made an MBE, this time from rugby league royalty
Former Great Britain coach is named the favourite co-comentator Aussie Andrew Voss has ever worked with
BRIAN Noble has received another honour after being made an MBE.
The former Great Britain coach has been named the favourite co-commentator Andrew Voss has ever worked with.
The Australian is a familiar voice on calling rugby league games around the world, and has become renowned for his enthusiasm.
Now in his book, Stuff You May Have Missed: A Unique Look At Rugby League , he has dished out a fair few honours to England – including mentions for Noble, Old Trafford, pork rolls and pies!
Noble, now director of rugby at Toronto Wolfpack, is often found in the commentary box or TV studio at big matches.
And he has certainly made an impression on Voss, who said: “I only got to work with the former Great Britain player and coach during the 2013 Rugby League World Cup but I cherish the experience. Loved his dry Yorkshire wit.”
Several other prizes 50-year-old Voss dishes out have English connections, notably the best and favourite matches he has ever commentated on.
Best goes to the epic 2013 World Cup semi-final between England and New Zealand at Wembley, which saw Shaun Johnson go over in the dying seconds to break English hearts.
“That I got to call this game makes me feel very fortunate,” says Voss. “It didn’t need the last second try to get this ranking, but the fact it did finish in such a way, cemented it right up there.”
Favourite is the night at Warrington that saw New Zealand take on Samoa – when Sonny Bill Williams strode majestically over the try line, only to slip and go out of play before putting the ball down!
“A smash fest played in front of a special crowd, in a famous old league town, that adopted the Samoan team, and inspired an amazing comeback,” says Voss of the World Cup quarter-final, which ended 42-24 to the Kiwis.
“The game also featured a famous bombed try by Sonny Bill Williams. What a night!”
Even Voss’ best try has an English connection with the role Sam Tomkins played in taking New Zealand Warriors’ Nathan Friend’s offload as he spun in mid-air!
Tui Lolohea touched down but Voss said: “Nathan Friend take another bow, and do it upside down
Old Trafford is named the favourite commentary box and Bradford’s Geoff Toovey the favourite coach.
And it is not just for rugby expertise, settings, action or drama that Voss loves over here – but also the food!
He lists his top 10 places on the planet to get a snack before a rugby league game and in among all the places in Australia and New Zealand is The Rodney pub in Warrington, for its pork rolls.
“Just meets the criteria because you do have to cross the road to buy one,” says Voss. “But what a delight. Straight off the spit. Five-star succulence! If they were around in Brian Bevan’s day, no wonder he stayed so long.”
Also in the list is the now defunct Sharpy’s chippy, next to Wigan’s DW Stadium .
“Let the late Sharpy’s outlet for pies and fish and chips be classed as an immortal,” Voss drools.
“Queues of league fans went out the door, down the side and around the corner. As a result, I think I missed kick-off the night I was there to see England play France. No regrets. Best pies in the world.”
Voss also lists what he believes are the 10 best stadia in the world, and there are some surprises.
Leichhardt Oval, where NRL side Wests Tigers play matches, takes the prize for being number one but Old Trafford, where he worked at the 2013 World Cup Final, is number two.
Voss says: “The ‘Theatre of Dreams’ was certainly the fulfilling of dreams for me. I have been so lucky to have called two World Cup finals at the ground, in 2000 and 2013.
“For the latter, there was an international rugby league record crowd of 74,468 to watch Australia beat New Zealand 34 to 2. In commentary at both deciders, I sat out among the crowd. It was about as good as it can get.
“What a stage for the players to perform. What a place I got paid to work. It sticks in my mind that in 2000, as the Australian national anthem played before the Kangaroos/Kiwis decider, I took off my headphones, and in one deep breath acknowledged in my head that this may well have been the best moment of my working life.
“That it was an even better experience 13 years later, makes me so thankful to the Premier Sports broadcast team in England who gave me the opportunity to commentate for them throughout an amazing tournament.”
Leeds Rhinos' Headingley stadium features at number seven, with Voss conceding: “For history alone, this may well be number one. It is truly unique, with the cricket ground next to the rugby league ground, sharing a two-sided grandstand.
“In seconds you can be pondering what it must have been like the time Sir Donald Bradman hit his triple century in a day against England in 1930; and then perusing one of the oldest rugby league grounds in the world, having opened in 1890.
“The commentary box at the ground is on the roof of the stand. Virtually totally exposed to the elements, you can hear every word from the crowd. Bugger the cold; this is a sensational football venue, in my opinion.”
But number four is the biggest surprise – The Shay in Halifax.
“I have only ever been to the ground once in my life. But I have made it my ambition to go back again in some capacity,” Voss says.
“The match was Italy versus Tonga at the 2013 World Cup and to me it seemed that all of Halifax had walked down to the ground to watch.
“And that is where my criteria on this one starts. Less than half a kilometre up the road is the Three Pigeons pub. Feel free to hold my wake there when I die. A stroll down the road and you are into a rugby league valley.
“In the quaint stakes, The Shay claims victory. To look out the back of the East Stand across to the hills is majestic. The people at the game were great, making it one of the happiest days of my commentary career. I don’t think the locals could believe that here was an outsider who found so many positives in an old ground.”
Stuff You May Have Missed: A Unique Look At Rugby League is published by New Holland Publishers and is priced £14.99. It is available online at