Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Famous post-war fullback dies

Updated at 8:44 pm on 16 November 2012

Bob Scott, widely regarded as the greatest All Black fullback since George Nepia of the 1924 Invincibles, has died.

Scott, 91, was a prominent member of the New Zealand Army rugby team that toured Britain at the end of World War II.

He made his debut for the All Blacks against Australia in 1946, and went on to play 17 tests between 1946 and 1954.

He retired from first class rugby in 1951, but was asked to make himself available for the 1953-54 All Black tour of the British Isles and France.

Scott was lauded at Cardiff Arms Park after the All Blacks beat the Barbarians at the end of the tour and returned to New Zealand a hero.

That was the end of his international career and he settled in Petone, playing club rugby and running a successful menswear shop. His assistant there was Andy Leslie who became an All Black captain himself.

In later life, he worked to help disadvantaged children, and served on periodic detention boards.

Scott was inducted into the New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame in 1990 and was awarded the MBE in 1995 for his services to sport.

Listen to Andy Leslie on Checkpoint

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