Bruce Robertson (rugby union)

Bruce Robertson

Birth name	Bruce John Robertson
Date of birth	(1952-04-09)9 April 1952
Place of birth	Hastings, New Zealand
Date of death	12 May 2023(2023-05-12) (aged 71)
Height	1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Weight	86 kg (190 lb)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Centre Provincial / State sides Years Team Apps (Points) 1971–1982 Counties 135 () International career Years Team Apps (Points) 1972–1981 New Zealand 34 (22)

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]

References

1. Knight, Lindsay. "Bruce Robertson". New Zealand Rugby Union. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
2. Reid, Neil (13 May 2023). "All Blacks great Bruce Robertson dies after long health battle". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
3. "All Blacks versus Springboks - 1981 Springbok tour". Ministry for Culture and Heritage. 4 February 2020. Retrieved 13 May 2023.