A centre of attraction

Press, 7 May 1980, Page 24

A centre of attraction

By

JOHN BROOKS

Effigies of Eric Watson are probably being burned or lanced with pins in Pukekohe at present, as dismayed Counties rugby supporters contemplate the omission of their favourite son, Bruce Robertson, from the All Black team to tour Australia. The tall, slim centre with the bounding stride has been a regular member of the New Zealand team for the last eight years, and in that long period there was never a hint that the keen edge of the selectorial axe had his name on it. Indeed, around the time he was being grievously obstructed by the Rhodesian full-back in the Springboks, lan Robertson,

on the 1976 tour of South Africa, Robertson was hailed on several fronts as the best centre in the world. That praise might have been a little exaggerated, but there was no doubt that Robertson was up with the best of them, and held his position at the top longer than most. He became New Zealand’s most capped midfield back, with 29 tests, and his tally of games for his country reached 88, a figure exceeded only by Colin Meads, lan Kirkpatrick, Bryan Williams and Don Clarke. But for injuries, he would have had a test match tally well into the thirties, and possibly

reached a century of games for New Zealand. Robertson missed six tests because of various ailments, and then was forced to withdraw from the tour of England and Scotland last year, after being named in the side. “B J” showed his class by playing with confidence for the All Blacks against the Wallabies of 1972, not long after he had made his name in the first XV of Hastings Boys’ High School. His graceful, gliding runs and his reliable service to his wings were qualities which the national selectors of the day were quick to appreciate. Robertson swiftly grew in stature, and the threequarter line he formed with Williams and Grant Batty became one of the most celebrated in New Zealand’s rugby history. But with fame came intensified opposition. Rival teams formulated new ways of dealing with this, long-striding centre; he was confronted by double line of defenders when searching for the sharp break, and ,he was often

taken out of the play after passing the ball, to prevent him backing up his wing, which he did very well. ■ • r- ■' But Robertson had a few ideas himself, and he developed a repertoire of cunning kicks, notably the chip and the grubber. They often proved to be just as effective as a welltimed pass, and they brought several tries for New Zealand. Perhaps the two best known were Batty’s effort against Scotland in 1972, and lan Kirkpatrick’s score after 47s of the third test against the 1977 Lions. The lanky centre was rarely at a loss when boxed in either, and twice in tests, in Dunedin and Toulouse, he drop-kicked goals from cramped quarters., . ' /. There is no doubt that the development of Robertson’s rugby was helped •immensely through his involvement with Counties and its lively attacking game. With the understanding guidance of Barry Bracewell and Hiwi Tauroa, Robertson was given the freedom and encouragement to put his best foot forward.

A comparatively youthful veteran at 28, Robertson still has much to offer New Zealand at international level. His step is still lively, and his experience is vast. It is not beyond the bounds of possibility that both Robertson and Williams will be needed for the tense tour of Wales at the end of the year. He is bound to be missed in Australia.-