Written by Bob Conolly

When Bob retired from playing rugby and took up position on the sideline along with all the other experts, he preferred to be behind the goalposts where he could see the gaps in the opposing team, or else on the other sideline where he could watch the play away from all the chatter.

It was on one of these occasions at the Wagga Cricket Ground in the 1980’s when, apart from his friend Digby McNeil, there were only two other men there.

One of these men was having a lot to say, which prompted Bob to ask of him whether he had seen many rugby games, to which said man replied,

‘Every week actually. Why do you ask?’

Bob’s reply, Well, to listen to your comments you’d know as much about rugby as that dickhead who writes for the Daily Advertiser.’

With that comment Digby, convulsed with laughter, dragged Bob away, asking him,

“Do you know who that bloke is?’

“Not a clue,’ replied Bob, ‘but he certainly does not know much about rugby.’

“Well,’ said Digby, ‘he is the dickhead who writes for the Daily Advertiser!”

Source: A History of the Wagga Wagga Waratahs’ Rugby Club 1959-2015 (2018)

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Ever wondered why your home ground is named Conolly Rugby Park?

Robert David Conolly “Bob” – 1937 – 2015

Bob’s passing was felt across the broader rugby community and while his rugby playing career did not span decades his achievements were significant and beyond his years in many respects. Bob made a difference to rugby on a number of levels and became the Club’s 6th Life Member of the Wagga Wagga Waratahs in 1992.

Bob’s love of rugby was sparked while attending SHORE and his post-school career started at the tender age of 17 years when he became a Charter member of the Molong Rugby Union Club in 1954. He then went on to play for Wagga Agricultural College, Leeton Rugby Club, and his beloved Wagga Wagga Waratahs Rugby Club. Bob was a member of the Wagga Wagga Agricultural College Premiership side in 1955 and was selected in the Combined NSW Country team to play Queensland and Sydney. At the grand age of 19 years Bob was selected for the Riverina team, the NSW Country v Springboks team that played in Tamworth and went on to play for NSW v Queensland. Bob Captained the Aggies Premiership side in 1957 and played for Combined NSW Country v Victoria, before moving to Leeton Rugby Club in 1958 where he continued his leadership role and became Captain/Coach, Captain/ Coach Riverina, and played Combined Country NSW v Queensland and NSW v Victoria. Bob was regarded as one of the finest full-backs produced by NSW Country. He was also an exceptional cricketer.

Bob was instrumental in the formation of the Wagga Wagga Waratahs Rugby Club in 1959 and played his first game with Waratahs on 2 May 1959 against RAAF as Captain/Coach. He continued to represent rugby at Riverina (Captain/Coach) and Combined Country NSW. In 1960, Bob took on the role of Captain/Coach of Riverina and Captained the Combined Country NSW on their tour of New Zealand, and against the All Blacks in Orange.

Bob was passionate about rugby and the Waratahs Rugby Club and remained an enthusiastic supporter of the Club and mentor to many members within the Club until his passing. Bob’s health did not deter his desire to know how the ‘Tahs were faring right through to Grand Final day. When he could not attend a game, he was known to phone through to an old boy to check on the progress of a game. Such was Bobs’ vision and passion for rugby that he had been campaigning for many years, along with some rugby greats, to change aspects of the game.

Bob also played a pivotal role in the development of the rugby complex at Jubilee Park. Bob took on the position of Chairperson of the Grounds Committee for Riverina Rugby Union in late 1980s. This committee worked closely with Wagga Wagga City Council, Wagga City Rugby Club and Waratahs Rugby Club. It was a stipulation from Wagga City Council that Riverina Rugby, and the two rugby clubs would provide financial as well as voluntary labour to the development program. Bob’s perseverance with this project was unwavering and in recognition of his significant contribution to its development, the Executive Members of Riverina Rugby recommended that it be named in his honour. Wagga Wagga City Council approved this recommendation, and the complex was named Conolly Rugby Park. In 1995 the first game was played on the new grounds, and the complex was officially opened on 9 March 1996.

Source: A History of the Wagga Wagga Waratahs’ Rugby Club 1959-2015 (2018)
Riverina Rugby Union Official Opening 9 March, 1996 Souvenir Programme