Sideline Sid Sports correspondant & historian www.sunlive.co.nz

It was with some sadness that Sideline Sid learnt of the passing away of iconic All Black Bob Scott over the weekend.

During the 1940's and 50's, Scott reigned supreme as the All Black full back and was the first of the last line of defence players, who liked nothing better than to run up into the backline with the ball in hand instead of booting the ball into touch.

Scott actually kicked off his footy career in rugby league playing for the Ponsonby club in Auckland.

Overseas service in WW2, resulted in Bob playing rugby in various army teams, from where he earned selection in the legendary New Zealand Army team that toured Great Britain after the cessation of hostilities

Widely regarded as the best full back since George Nepia, the running full back made his debut for the All Blacks against Australia in 1946 and went on to play in the Black uniform 54 times including 17 tests.

As a young fella Sideline Side lived just a hop step and a jump from Athletic Park in Wellington.

Saturday afternoons in winter in the 1950's became a ritual as I followed my father to the Park, to watch the best club players in the region battle for club superiority.

The big battle of the season was always between University and Petone, with no quarter asked or given.

In those days All Blacks turned out for their clubs each week, with the super star in the Petone ranks being Bob Scott, while university had their own All Black hero in flying winger Ron Jarden.

Wellington was one of the powerhouses of the game and there could be up to a dozen former or current All Blacks on show each weekend.

An occasion that remains as vivid as yesterday in Sideline Sid's memory took place during the famous Springbok tour of New Zealand in 1956.

On the Sunday after the second test in Wellington, we all went out to the Petone Rec to watch an exhibition game.

However the real attraction was a bare foot kicking duel at half time between Bob Scott and George Nepia. The crowd was in awe as first Nepia and then Scott booted the ball over the goal posts in bare feet, from as far out as the halfway line.

One summer morning in the late 1960's, three aspiring golfers but very novice golfers lined up at the Mount Maunganui links, for an early morning game.

No other than Bob Scott arrived on the tee and asked us if he could join us in a round. We explained to Bob that we were absolute hackers, but he would have none of our protestations and joined us for a very convivial walk (and plenty of shots from the novices) around the Mount course.

The contrast between All Black players of the Scott era and the modern day is a gap so wide that it is almost unbelievable.

In the 1950's and 60's, Club rugby was the staple and if the All Blacks went on tour, the players club was expected to fund raise to give there club All Black/s spending money.

However one constant between the strictly amateur days and today's professional rugby, is the absolute pride and passion that each team member has when they pull on the All Black uniform.

Bob Scott and today's legends like Richie McCaw, have the same ambition to empty the tank for their country, every time they pull on the Black jersey of New Zealand.

Seeya at the Game