Bob Scott (rugby)
A fearless All Blacks fullback whose unorthodox, attacking style and legendary drop-goal prowess made him a hero of New Zealand's post-war rugby.
1921–2012 (age 91)·NZ international rugby union & league player·Birthday: February 6·The Greatest Generation
Biography
Bob Scott played rugby with a kind of casual, inventive brilliance that captivated New Zealand in the 1940s and 50s. As the All Blacks' fullback, he defied the conventional safety-first role, counter-attacking with daring runs and precise tactical kicks that turned defense into attack. He was, however, most famous for his almost supernatural skill with the drop goal, a weapon he deployed with either foot from astonishing distances and angles. His career, interrupted by World War II service in the Pacific, peaked on the 1953-54 tour of Britain, where his performances entered folklore. Off the field, Scott was a modest printer, but on it, he was a visionary player who expanded the possibilities of his position and left an indelible mark on the game's aesthetic.
The Greatest Generation
1901–1927
Grew up during the Depression, fought World War II, and built the postwar economic boom. Defined by shared sacrifice, institutional trust, and a belief that hard work and loyalty would be rewarded.
Bob was born in 1921, placing them squarely in The Greatest Generation. The events that shaped this generation — world wars, depression, and rapid industrialization — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Bob Was Born
The biggest hits of 1921
#1 Movie
The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse
Bob's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1921Born
First commercial radio broadcasts
President: Warren G. Harding"My Man" — Fanny Brice
1926Started school
Robert Goddard launches the first liquid-fueled rocket
President: Calvin Coolidge"Baby Face" — Jan Garber
1934Became a teenager
Gas: $0.19/galPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"Stars Fell on Alabama" — Jack TeagardenBest Picture: It Happened One Night
1937Could drive
Hindenburg disaster; Golden Gate Bridge opens
Gas: $0.20/galPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"A-Tisket, A-Tasket" — Ella FitzgeraldBest Picture: The Life of Emile Zola
1939Could vote
World War II begins; The Wizard of Oz premieres
Gas: $0.19/galMin wage: $0.30/hrPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"Over the Rainbow" — Judy GarlandBest Picture: Gone with the Wind
1942Turned 21
Battle of Midway turns the tide in the Pacific
Gas: $0.20/galHome: $3,175Min wage: $0.30/hrPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"White Christmas" — Bing CrosbyBest Picture: Mrs. Miniver
1951Turned 30
First color TV broadcast in the US
Gas: $0.27/galHome: $7,925Min wage: $0.75/hrPresident: Harry S. Truman"Too Young" — Nat King ColeBest Picture: An American in Paris
1961Turned 40
Yuri Gagarin becomes the first human in space
Gas: $0.31/galHome: $12,500Min wage: $1.15/hrPresident: John F. Kennedy"Tossin' and Turnin'" — Bobby LewisBest Picture: West Side Story
1971Turned 50
Voting age lowered to 18 in the US
Gas: $0.36/galHome: $18,100Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"Joy to the World" — Three Dog NightBest Picture: The French Connection
1981Turned 60
MTV launches; first Space Shuttle flight; AIDS identified
Gas: $1.31/galHome: $52,300Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Bette Davis Eyes" — Kim CarnesBest Picture: Chariots of Fire
1991Turned 70
Soviet Union dissolves; World Wide Web goes public
Gas: $1.14/galHome: $82,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" — Bryan AdamsBest Picture: The Silence of the Lambs
2001Turned 80
September 11 attacks transform the world
Gas: $1.46/galHome: $126,400Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Hanging by a Moment" — LifehouseBest Picture: A Beautiful Mind
2012Died at 91
Curiosity rover lands on Mars; Sandy Hook shooting
Gas: $3.64/galHome: $143,200Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Somebody That I Used to Know" — GotyeBest Picture: Argo
Key Achievements
- Played 52 matches and 17 official Tests for the All Blacks between 1946 and 1954.
- Was a pivotal figure on the legendary 1953-54 All Blacks tour of Britain and France, scoring 103 points.
- Renowned for his exceptional drop-kicking ability, scoring numerous match-winning goals from long range.
Did You Know?
He served as a gunner in the New Zealand Army in the Pacific during World War II.
He was ambidextrous, able to drop-kick goals with remarkable accuracy using both his left and right foot.
His autobiography was aptly titled 'The Bob Scott Story: A Game for a Lifetime.'
He also played rugby league for the Ponsonby club in Auckland.
“A good fullback plays what's in front of him, not what's in the book.”
