The NSWRL is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of True Blue Bruce Olive, aged 94.
The Wollongong-born prop was considered one of the best front-rowers of his generation in the 1960s and a pioneer and inspiration for First Nations players in the years that followed.
Olive began his playing career with the Casino All Blacks and helped the club to consecutive Group 1 premierships from 1948 to 1954 in a team which also featured five of his brothers.
He played 69 games for the Jets (1964-67), four for NSW Country Firsts (1959-62) and eight for NSW (1958-62). He was considered unlucky not to represent Australia.
Olive also features in a painting of the Illawarra Team of the Century on display at WIN Stadium, along with Fulton and fellow Immortal Graeme Langlands, the only player who never played for Australia to make the Illawarra Team of the Century.
The NSWRL extends its condolences to Olive’s family and friends.
