Mr Bruce John Robertson
Hastings Boys' High School 1966 - 1969
Mr Robertson attended Hastings Boys’ High School from 1966 – 1969. He played 8A rugby in year 9 progressing to the 1st XV in year 11 and 12. Bruce excelled at cricket, playing 1st XI Cricket as a very useful fast medium bowler. He received the Sutton Memorial Cup for the best fielder in the 1st XI, and was a School Prefect in 1969.
Moving to Counties his rugby skills were quickly identified, as his pace, silky pass and swerve saw him tour with the All Blacks as a young 20 year old.
His playing career saw him notch up 135 games for Counties, playing 102 All Black matches, scoring a total of 34 tries. His debut game was in August 1972 against Australia, and his first test against Scotland in 1981. Bruce Robertson was also a man of conscience, declaring himself unavailable for the infamous 1981 South African tour.
Bruce is described as a quiet man but has stayed connected to rugby, with the Auckland Blues and as a Secondary Schools Co-ordinator for the Northland Rugby Union.
Bruce Robertson is regarded as one of the best centres in New Zealand Rugby history and is recognised as one of the top 100 All Blacks and an inductee to the New Zealand Rugby Union Hall of Fame, and a worthy recipient to the Hastings Boys’ High School Wall of Fame.
