The Australian rugby community is mourning the loss of Wallaby #580, Ian Robertson, who passed away on Monday aged 73.
Robertson, a tall, fast, lean fullback/winger, and a point-scoring phenomenon for his Eastwood club, was born in Sydney and educated at Marsden High School.
In 1972, he made his representative debut for Sydney in their surprise 9-18 loss to Australian Services. Three years later Robertson won his first state cap as New South Wales defeated Wellington 18-13 in Sydney. He then went on to score a key try in the Waratahs' 17-13 win over Queensland at Ballymore before selection in a powerful Sydney side to take on the touring side from Japan. Starting on the left wing, Robertson set the trend when he scored a try from the first ruck after just 30 seconds. In a sensational display, Robertson went on to score four tries for the match.
That effort earned Robertson a first international cap at Ballymore, in the first of the two Test series against Japan at Ballymore. Robertson acquitted himself well, gathered in some challenging passes one of which he dragged down single-handed to race away and score the first of two debut tries.
Unfortunately, Robertson missed selection for the Sixth Wallabies when Monaro fullback Mick Fitzgerald played strongly in the final trial to join Laurie Monaghan, Paddy Batch and John Ryan among the outside backs in the squad.
Ian Robertson is survived by wife Jan, and sons Stuart and Matthew.
