We have just learned of the death of former Wales international Terry Robbins who passed away on November 17 aged 81 of a heart attack, after failing to properly recover from a serious injury last year.
Born on 28th July 1934 in Merthyr Tydfil, Robbins made his name in rugby union with Swansea, played 24 games between 1957 and 1959. However that was enough for him to be scouted by Rugby League and he signed for Hunslet Hawks. He later joined Bradford Northern and Bramley, winning his lone cap for Wales in 1963 when he took to the field in a 23-3 loss against France in Toulouse. There might have been many more caps but Wales played few games during that period.
After retirement Terry ran pubs for many years in the Leeds area and was famous for putting on a quality spread for Rugby League players post-match when he hosted sides in his establishments.
Our thoughts and sympathies are with his friends and family at this difficult time.
Everyone at Wales Rugby League is saddened to hear about the death of former Wales international Alex Kersey-Brown, who died of lung cancer on Monday 23rd November, aged 73.
Born in Bristol on November 18 1942, he was a Wales Schoolboy rugby union international after spending a lot of his childhood in Penmaenmawr. He also excelled in cricket, athletics and boxing.
As a 20-year old, he moved to London Welsh, staying there for five years before switching codes to turn professional with Huddersfield in November 1967. He was a regular at Fartown for his first three seasons but injury blighted the remaining two years of his spell there. He also had a brief spell at Oldham in 1970 where he made three appearances.
Heritage number 265, he won two caps for Wales, both in the 1968-69 season, starring a 24-17 win over England in Salford before being on the losing side in a 13-17 defeat to France in Paris.
A big fan of London Welsh throughout his life, he was in attendance for their 33-29 win over Cardiff Blues Premiership Select just two days before his passing. Last year he raised almost £1,000 for the Macmillan Cancer Team at Yeovil Hospital for all the support that they gave him.
Wales Rugby League’s chairman Brian Juliff said: “I’m always sad to hear about the loss of another Welsh international. We’re really sorry to hear that Alex has lost his long battle with cancer and on behalf of everyone at Wales Rugby League, I would like to send our condolences to Alex’s family and friends at this sad time.”