Bob Burnet

Bob Burnet (born 18 February 1860), was a Scottish rugby union footballer of the 1880s, who played in Scotland for Hawick, and was selected to play at a representative level for the British Isles on the 1888 British Lions tour to New Zealand and Australia, the first tour by a team representing the British Isles. He and his brother Willie, are also notable for being the first set of siblings to tour together for the Lions.[1]

Bob Burnet
Birth nameRobert Burnet
Date of birth18 February 1860[1]
Place of birthHawick, Scotland[1]
Place of deathMelbourne, Australia
Height5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)[2]
Weight12 st 8 lb (176 lb; 80 kg)[2]
Rugby union career
Position(s) Forward
Amateur team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
1882–1888 Hawick ()
Provincial / State sides
Years Team Apps (Points)
1888 Roxburgh ()
National team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
1888 British Isles 30[1] (3[1])

Early life and career

Robert Burnet was born on 18 February 1860 in Hawick, Scotland to William Burnet and Joan (née Smith).[3] His father was a successful Boot and Shoemaker, employing a number of men at his firm in Hawick. Robert had a number of siblings including an older sister, Jane, and older brother James and two younger brothers, William.[4] and John.[5]

Domestic career

Bob Burnet played for six seasons for Hawick RFC up to 1888. He was captain of the club in the 1887 season and was also selected to play for his county side, Roxburgh. He was described as "a good sterling forward and a very hard worker in the mauls, and can always be relied upon turning out in good condition"[2]

British Isles

The 1888 tour was organized by two cricket professionals, Arthur Shrewsbury and Alfred Shaw, and they selected Bob along with his brother Willie, making the siblings the first set to tour together for the Lions. Burnet was described as being vital to the Lions success as he played in 30 of the 35 matches, scoring one try against Queensland. Despite being a forward, his versatility was such that he also scored a conversion against Adelaide.[1]

Later life

During the 1888 tour, after the Brisbane match, Robert made his made up to stay in Australia, whilst his fellow Hawick RFC teammates, William Burnet (his brother) and Alex Laing, returned to face questioning about their amateur status as soon as they returned. Robert Burnet went on to become a pioneer in the Queensland wool industry and settled down in Melbourne.[6]

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References
  1. Lions rugby official site – profile of Bob Burnet
  2. "The English team". Otago Witness. paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 27 April 1888. Retrieved 20 June 2017.
  3. FHL Film Number:6035516 , Scotland, Births and Baptisms, 1564–1950. Salt Lake City, Utah: FamilySearch, 2013.
  4. Lions rugby official site – profile of Willie Burnet
  5. 1871 Scotland Census, Parish: Hawick; ED: 11; Page: 8; Line: 8; Roll: CSSCT1871_179
  6. Burnet brothers score British and Irish Lions first, Hawick News, 22 June 2013
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