Well played ref.

Press, 23 September 1988, Page 41

Well played ref.

The renowned Counties centre, Bruce Robertson, is the only New Zealander known to have been sent back to the field after attempting to retire during a rugby test. The incident occurred in an international against Scotland at Murrayfield in 1972 — and it turned out to be a vital stroke of luck for the All Blacks.

Robertson limped off the pitch early in the second half, feeling the effect of leg injuries. His knees and thighs were so heavily bandaged and taped that he looked like a broken-down racehorse.

However, the Scottish doctor was unsympathetic, probably grumbling that it was unbecoming for anyone with a surname such as Robertson to quit the scene of action. So lan Hurst, who had

been warming up along the sideline, returned to the grandstand, and Robertson hobbled back to the field, much to the surprise of his teammates.

Within a few minutes, however, the doctor’s judgment was vindicated. Robertson made a brilli-

ant corkscrewing run through the Scottish defences, angling in from the left towards the goal posts. Just when it seemed that the cover defence would mow him down, Robertson pivoted on his left heel and sent a perfect grubber kick scudding out towards the left wing, where the eager terrier, Grant Batty, won the race to the bail for a startling try. Robertson played for New Zealand for an entire decade, becoming one off only five All Blacks to play 100 matches for his country. He appeared in 34 tests, one fewer than the Counties record holder, Andy Dalton.

The All Blacks won the test, 14-9, with Alex Wyllie and Sid Going also scoring tries and Joe Karam kicking a conversion.