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Counties Manukau and Northland will play this Sunday for the first ever chance to hold the Bruce Robertson Trophy – a new piece of silverware in honour of the legendary All Black.

Robertson, who played 135 matches for Counties between 1971 and 1982, had ties to Northland, Auckland and Hawke’s Bay as well as his beloved Counties.

The four Unions have agreed to play for the Bruce Robertson Trophy whenever the holder meets one of the other sides – home or away.

A member from each of the four provinces is in attendance today at Navigation Homes Stadium – Andy Dalton from Counties Manukau, Sir Bryan Williams from Auckland, GK Taylor from Hawke’s Bay and Justin Collins from Northland.

The trophy is a carving done by Ngati Tamaoho’s Ted Ngataki and features a carved rugby ball sitting on a tee. The ball has four panels that represent each of the four provinces Robertson has ties to.

The trophy will travel with the team that holds it and is on the line whenever that side meets one of the other four provinces.

Robertson’s daughter Natalie will be in attendance on Sunday and said the concept is a great honour for her late father.

“As a family, we are deeply humbled and grateful that not just one, but four provinces have chose to recognise our Dad’s contribution to rugby by participating in a trophy that provides a legacy in his honour and a tribute to the All Black brand,” Natalie said.

“We feel truly honoured and proud that his impact on this sport and these provinces is so meaningful.”

Bruce Robertson was one of the greatest Counties Manukau player in the Union’s 69-year history, and he will be celebrated Sunday with Northland coming to Pukekohe to play the Steelers.

A 35-test All Black that is considered one of the greatest centres New Zealand has ever produced, Robertson made a name for himself in the red, white and black hoops of Counties during the 1970s.

He made his debut at just 19 and went on to distinguish himself as the province’s greatest ever – voted the top player in a 2020 poll by former players and administrators.

The poll saw him pip the likes of Jonah Lomu, Andy Dalton, Errol Brain and Alan Dawson for the top honour.

Renowned for his pace and ability to swerve around opponents as well as possessing a silky pass, Robertson was a central figure in Counties teams through the 1970s and early 1980s, including the NPC First Division title-winning side of 1979.

He made his All Blacks debut in 1972 and would play through until 1981 for the national side.

Born in Hawke’s Bay, he moved north to study teaching at Ardmore, and it was here that he began a relationship with his club side and provincial side.

Robertson passed away last year at the age of 71 and is remembered fondly for the massive impact he had on the game in Counties Manukau and across New Zealand.

His grandson – Jadin Kingi – is a current Steelers representative.