Bruce Robertson (rugby)

Bruce John Robertson (born 9 April 1952) is a former New Zealand rugby union footballer. He played for Counties and the All Blacks. He played 34 tests (102 All Black matches[1]) between 1972 and 1981, and scored 34 tries (4 test tries).[2]

Bruce Robertson
Birth nameBruce John Robertson
Date of birth (1952-04-09) 9 April 1952
Height1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Weight86 kg (190 lb; 13.5 st)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Centre
Provincial / State sides
Years Team Apps (Points)
1971 - 1982 Counties Manukau 135 ()
National team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
1972-1981 New Zealand 34 (22)

He played 135 matches for Counties between 1971 and 1982, making his debut for the union at the age of 19. 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.

Robertson is regarded as one of the best centres in New Zealand rugby history. He did play 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 the New Zealand 1981 tour. This was due to his 'personal abhorrence of apartheid,' following his tour of South Africa.[3]

References
  2. Bevan Rapson, The New Zealand Herald, 1 August 2011
  3. All Blacks versus Springboks - 1981 Springbok tour', URL: http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/culture/1981-springbok-tour/all-blacks-vs-springboks, (Ministry for Culture and Heritage), updated 20-Dec-2012
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