Bob Scott
New Zealand
player portrait
Full name Robert William Henry Scott
Born February 6, 1921, Wellington
Died November 16, 2012, Tairua (aged 91 years 284 days)
Major teams Kiwis, New Zealand
Position Fullback

Test career
Span Mat Start Sub Pts Tries Conv Pens Drop GfM Won Lost Draw %
All Tests 1946-1954 17 17 0 74 0 16 12 2 0 10 6 1 61.76
Bledisloe Cup 1946-1947 4 4 0 40 0 11 6 0 0 4 0 0 100

Career statistics
Test debut New Zealand v Australia at Dunedin, Sep 14, 1946 match details
Last Test France v New Zealand at Colombes, Feb 27, 1954 match details
Test Statsguru Main menu | Career summary | Match list | Most points | Tournament list
Profile

Bob Scott, one of the very best All Black fullbacks, was born in Wellington and educated at Kapuni, Tangarakau and Ponsonby Schools. As a young man he played rugby league to senior standard for the Ponsonby club, then switched to rugby when he joined the Army in 1942. He played for the Motor Transport Pool team which won the Gallaher Shield that year. One of his team mates was another former league player, Johnny Simpson who was to go on to play alongside Scott for the 1945/6 "Kiwis", Ponsonby, Auckland and the All Blacks.

Serving in Italy at the end of World War II Scott, after trials in Austria and England, was chosen for the 1945/6 NZEF "Kiwis" team that made a wonderfully successful tour of Britain, France, Germany and New Zealand. Scott had a fine tour, playing in 19 of the 38 matches and sharing the 'Tests' with another top fullback in Herb Cook.

Back in New Zealand Scott linked up with the Ponsonby club and made his All Black debut in New Zealand's first post war Test series, against Australia in 1946. He played Australia again in 1947 when the All Blacks toured there. Scott had a top tour, with his goalkicking and general play being of the highest standard.

In 1949 Scott was again the No.1 fullback when New Zealand toured South Africa. His general play was superb but, in a tight Test series, a series of narrow goalkicking misses proved costly. He played the 1950 series against the British Lions but was not available for the 1951 tour to Australia and announced his retirement from representative rugby at the end of that season. He did though play one game for Auckland in 1952 and was persuaded to make himself available for the 1953-4 All Black tour to Britain. Now aged 32 and sharing the goalkicking with Ron Jarden he played in the five Test matches with his general play still of the highest standard.

His career finished with club rugby for Petone in 1954 and appearances for invitation teams over the next few seasons. During festival types games he sometimes gave demonstrations of barefoot goalkicking, frequently landing goals from halfway.

Initially employed as a warehouseman, then a painter and paperhanger and finally a men's outfitter in Petone Scott served on the Petone club committee 1966-70. Co-author with Terry McLean of "Bob Scott on Rugby" (1955) and "The Bob Scott Story" (1956) he also featured in an NZRFU coaching film in the 1970s.

Standing 5'10 (1.78m) and weighing 12st. 7lb (79kg) Scott remains one of the finest players, in any position, to have played for New Zealand. Commentator Winston McCarthy wrote "For me there will never by anyone as great as Scott." Star South African No. 8 Hennie Muller described him as "Altogether, the greatest footballer I've ever played against in any position".

Courtesy of NZ Rugby Museum

Latest Articles
Who has faced two different Lions tours? (Apr 24, 2013) Lest we forget (Dec 29, 2012) Longevity and inexperience (Nov 21, 2012) All Blacks great Bob Scott dies (Nov 16, 2012) 'This is why we like the Kiwis' (Sep 4, 2012) Bob Scott news and articles (11) »
Latest Photos
Jul 17, 2009
Former All Black Bob Scott is presented with his cap
Former All Black Bob Scott is presented with his cap
©  Getty Images
Oct 22, 1953
Bob Scott practises his kicking
Bob Scott practises his kicking
©  PA Photos
Jan 1, 1950
New Zealand fullback Bob Scott kicks the ball
New Zealand fullback Bob Scott kicks the ball
©  Getty Images

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