Bruce Robertson

Who is Bruce Robertson?

Bruce John Robertson is a former New Zealand rugby union footballer. He played for Counties Manukau and the All Blacks. He played 34 tests between 1972 and 1981, and scored 34 tries.

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