Indomitable spirit fought till the end
halfback in the All Blacks’ 1987 World Cup squad and went on to play 23 games, including 10 tests, until 1989.
Don Hayes, Canterbury captain in the great shield era, told mourners Deans was totally committed and fiercely loyal. ‘‘On the paddock, Bruce would always have your back. He could always be relied on to do his role and some.
‘‘One time, while we were in camp for a shield game, Bruce and Rob went and played for Glenmark in the North Canterbury club final on the Friday night before our game. Even though the Canterbury coach was also a loyal Glenmark ex-player, he was not happy!’’
Hayes said Deans was ‘‘very astute on the way the game could be played’’ and ‘‘understood moments and opportunities’’. ‘‘The way Bruce trained, and game-day attitude, was infectious. Bruce had a real will to win. He was very fit and loved the contest, the physicality. I still have visions of his try-saving tackles in the corner.’’
Hayes reckoned he ‘‘only found one chink in Bruce’s armour’’ – during ‘‘one of Alex’s famous gut-busting trainings’’ at Rugby Park. ‘‘Bruce hid behind the hoardings at the far end of the ground for two laps before he joined in again. Apparently [backs coach] Doug Bruce turned a blind eye.’’
Playing for Canterbury required the Deans and Earl brothers from Glenmark to drive three hours to and from practices in Christchurch three times a week.
They made a pitch to the Canterbury union for transport assistance. ‘‘We received a petrol allowance cheque of $125 between the two [sibling sets],’’ Robbie Deans said. ‘‘As amateurs, we were nervous about receiving it, until we crunched the numbers and realised it worked out at less than 1c a kilometre. Needless to say, it was a good night at the Greta Valley Tavern.’’
The Deans brothers never got to play in the same All Blacks team, but Robbie said Bruce ‘‘got some redemption’’ for their great-uncle Bob Deans’ disallowed try at Cardiff Arms Park on the All Blacks’ 1905 tour, ‘‘by scoring against the Welsh 83 years later at Lancaster Park in the All Blacks’ 52-3 victory [in 1988].’’
Throughout his career, Deans ‘‘never wavered in his commitment to the farm’’ and would credit his fitness and stamina to his time working the land, Robbie said. ‘‘He was a strong, resilient character . . . who never lost game time to injury.’’
After his last test in 1989, Bruce had a stint in San Luis Obispo in the United States, and a long and special stay in Ireland, where he met partner June. ‘‘As
he did, wherever he went, Bruce created long-lasting and loyal friendships, and his Irish mates contacted us to say they were holding a three-day wake in his honour,’’ Robbie said.
Bruce was also a handy cricketer, a right-arm leg spin bowler, like his father. He scored a century in North Canterbury’s middle order against Mid Canterbury in Ashburton, and he and Robbie took seven catches close to the bat in one of their favourite shared sporting moments in a Hawke Cup challenge against Northland in Whangarei.
After returning home in the mid-90s, Deans devoted his life to his farm and various business ventures.
But he never forgot his rugby roots, lending a helping hand when he could to the Glenmark club. ‘‘Bruce was always very keen to help out in any way and he ws especially good when we were fundraising to rebuild the clubrooms [after they were destroyed in a 2015 fire],’’ Glenmark-Cheviot Rugby Club president Hamish Murray said.
Murray worked for Deans on Kilmarnock in his first job after leaving school. ‘‘He was a tremendous boss. He always insisted he wasn’t my boss, we were work colleagues. Bruce had a great work ethic, but he also had the ability to relax and have a good fun time when the jobs were finished; he used to love a beer.
‘‘He was incredibly generous with his time and would teach you anything.’’
Robbie Deans said Bruce was ‘‘very proud’’ of his son, Benjamin. ‘‘Bruce lived very much by the family motto of Vel Arte Vel Marte, which, translated, means ‘by skill or by strength’. ‘‘And in Bruce’s case, ‘by determination and persistence’.’’
Bruce Deans is survived by son Benjamin, mother Joy, sisters Jo, Nicky and Sarah, brother Robbie and their families. – By Tony Smith Do you know someone who deserves a Life Story? Email obituaries@dompost.co.nz