Bruce Hay

Bruce Hay
Birth nameBruce Hamilton Hay
Date of birth(1950-05-23)23 May 1950
Place of birthEdinburgh, Scotland
Date of death1 October 2007(2007-10-01) (aged 57)
Place of deathEdinburgh, Scotland
Rugby union career
Position(s) full-back
Amateur team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
– Liberton ()
1972– Boroughmuir 279 ()
Provincial / State sides
Years Team Apps (Points)
– Edinburgh District ()
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
1975-81 Scotland 23 (12)
Coaching career
Years Team
– Boroughmuir[1]
– Edinburgh[1]
– Scotland B[1]
– Scotland Under-19s[1]

Bruce Hamilton Hay (23 May 1950 – 1 October 2007) was a Scotland international rugby union player.

Background

Hay was born in Edinburgh and educated at Liberton High School. From there he went on to work as an electrical engineer for the National Coal Board. Latterly he worked as a sales representative.

Rugby Union career

Amateur career

Hay was a fullback. He started his rugby career at junior club Liberton, a team he captained at the age of 18,[2] He then moved to play for Boroughmuir.

He helped Boroughmuir win the Scottish Unofficial Championship in 1973; and was still in their side when they won the Melrose Sevens in 1976.[3]

Provincial career

While still at Liberton he was capped by Edinburgh District. This was an astonishing feat for a junior club player and his tough tackling reputation was sealed.[4] He carried on representing the district when he moved to Boroughmuir.

International career

It was when Hay moved to Boroughmuir in 1972 that he went on to gain international recognition.

He gained 23 international caps for Scotland[5] and also represented the British and Irish Lions on both their 1977 and 1980 tours, and the Barbarians.

Stats

  • International debut: 14 June 1975 v New Zealand in Auckland. Lost 24-0
  • Final appearance: 20 June 1981 v New Zealand in Auckland. Lost 40-15
  • Scotland: Caps: 23. Tries: 3
  • Lions Tests: 3 (on 1980 South Africa tour). Tries: 1 (v South Africa)

Death

He was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2005 and died on 1 October 2007, aged 57.[6]

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Tributes pour in for Bruce Hay - a great rugby ambassador". The Scotsman. 2 October 2007.
  2. ^ "He was all heart and deserving of all the accolades that came his way". The Scotsman. 2 October 2007.
  3. ^ "Bruce Hay". 20 October 2011.
  4. ^ "Obituaries - Bruce Hay". The Scotsman. 2 October 2007.
  5. ^ "Bruce Hay - Scotland Rugby Player". Sporting Heroes. 1 October 2007.
  6. ^ "Rugby pays tribute to Bruce Hay". BBC Sport. 1 October 2007.


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