Bruce Robertson (rugby union)
| Birth name | Bruce John Robertson | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Date of birth | 9 April 1952 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Hastings, New Zealand | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Date of death | 12 May 2023 (aged 71) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 86 kg (190 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Bruce John Robertson (9 April 1952 – 12 May 2023) was a New Zealand rugby union player. A centre, he represented Counties at a provincial level, and was a member of the New Zealand national team, the All Blacks, from 1972 to 1981. He played 102 matches for the All Blacks, including 34 internationals, and scored 30 tries, four of which were in test matches.[1]
Robertson played 135 matches for Counties between 1971 and 1982, making his debut for the union at the age of 19.[1] He was the All Black centre (No 13) for much of the 1970s, and was admired for his pace, silky pass and swerve, and his thinking approach to the game.[2]
Robertson was regarded as one of the best centres in New Zealand rugby history.[2] He played against all-white South African teams during the Apartheid era, in common with many All Blacks at the time. However, he declared himself unable to play against the Springboks during their New Zealand 1981 tour. This was due to his "personal abhorrence of apartheid", following the 1976 tour of South Africa.[3]
Robertson died on 12 May 2023, at the age of 71.[2]
Recognition
[edit]A trophy was made in his name where four unions agreed to play for the Bruce Robertson Trophy whenever the holder meets one of the other sides – home or away. Andy Dalton from Counties Manukau, Sir Bryan Williams from Auckland, GK Taylor from Hawke’s Bay a Justin Collins from Northland were in attendance
The trophy is a carving done by Ngati Tamaoho’s Ted Ngataki and features a carved rugby ball sitting on a tee. The ball has four panels that represent each of the four provinces Robertson had ties. The game was the first ever Bruce Robertson Trophy held.[4]
References
[edit]- ^ a b Knight, Lindsay. "Bruce Robertson". New Zealand Rugby Union. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
- ^ a b c Reid, Neil (13 May 2023). "All Blacks great Bruce Robertson dies after long health battle". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
- ^ "All Blacks versus Springboks - 1981 Springbok tour". Ministry for Culture and Heritage. 4 February 2020. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
- ^ Union, Counties Manukau Rugby Football. "Inaugural Bruce Robertson Trophy to Honour Counties Legend". Counties Manukau Rugby Football Union. Retrieved 23 September 2024.