Man behind the mike was master of his domain

Bob Irvine spent 13 years touring with the All Blacks.

Bob Irvine, Rugby commentator. Died aged 83.

As a rugby radio commentator Bob Irvine set a benchmark skill in the 1960-70s which may have been threatened but never exceeded since.

Preceding Irvine had been Winston McCarthy who "called" rugby matches - with the raw vigour mixture of a show-biz brass band - and won undying fame.

Compared with McCarthy, Irvine commentated with all the style, control and harmony of a superior symphony orchestra.

After serving with J-Force in Japan after World War II, Irvine moved into broadcasting in 1948 and graduated to test level in 1960. He finished in 1975, leaving a gap that John Howson filled admirably.

As well as possessing a keen eye, Irvine quickly learned the major art of rugby radio commentary. Amid his smooth and often pacy flow of words, Irvine had the knack of describing what parts of the field the play was covering, expertly keeping the listener informed of the flow of the game.

The rugby nous was in the Irvine genes. His grandfather played rugby for Auckland, his father, Bill, was an All Black in the 1920s, and his brother, Ian, hooked for North Auckland and the All Blacks. Because of this background, he told the Herald's Terry McLean, he was always close to the game. "Too close I think. As a boy I heard about the game morning, noon and night" on the family farm in the Whangarei area.

His first test, he recalled in 1977, was against the Springboks in Johannesburg when the All Blacks lost 13-nil. And, over the next 13 years, he toured with the All Blacks 13 times and estimated he spent the equivalent of four years away from his wife and two children.

But while his family missed him, thousands of rugby vans accepted his voice as part of their family. Irvine said he never acted out the excitement in his commentaries. "I feel the emotion and I am not pretending. If the play is thrilling, then I am also thrilled."

Before and after his rugby-commentating days, Irvine filled a variety of posts in broadcasting.

However, he was not content. He wanted to leave behind something more tangible than fragile tapes on this planet before he departed. So at a very mature age, he became a craft potter, creating very lively figures, sometimes as way-out as McCarthy's commentary style had been. He is survived by his wife, Gaynor, and family.

- ADDITIONAL REPORTING: STAFF REPORTER