A True Saintsman

By Saint Tim
June 15 2011

With Bruce Reihana's leaving barbeque tomorrow I thought I would have a quick look back at the time that Bruce has won the Man of the Match poll.  Bruce has been a loyal servant, a fantastic player and for a period also Captain Fantastic.  Few who witnessed it can forget the emotional speech he gave on the pitch on the day we were relegated, promising that we would be back.  Well we are.

 A Journey To Our Hearts

I remember well the first time that I had to put Bruce's name up for the man of the match poll as I struggled with the spelling of his surname.  Little was I to know how second nature it would become to me over the years.

Bruce has won the Man of the Match a staggering 26 times, which is more than any other player over the same period.  His first win came in that first season at home to Quins and his final victory was in the home defeat to Saracens this year.

Bruce has won the award at home 16 times and away 10 times.  His favourite team to turn on the style against is Bath where he has won the poll 4 times followed by London Irish and Wasps with three each.  Interestingly Bruce has never won the poll against our fiercest local rivals Leicester - but that is probably as those games are normally a slugfest between numbers one to eight.

There are some interesting names on the list, Rotherham for instance where Bruce has won twice back when they were a Premiership team, Esher, Doncaster and the Cornish All Blacks are included.

Bruce has been a star player for our team and I can only apologise that I have not had the time to collate a more detailed analysis of his victories.  He is a player I will never forget and I hope he can play some part in the future of the Saints.

Can people please add their stand out memories of Bruce below.

MoTM: Bruce Reihana - Review

Discussion started by ComeOnYouSaints.com , 15/06/2011 08:56

ComeOnYouSaints.com
15/06/2011 08:56

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Jim Winning
15/06/2011 09:31

I remember (possible my first season ticket season) - I sit in the south stand and for some reason moved to the terracing (section D) for a match against Harlequins. Harlequins were just winning with about 30 seconds on the clock and Bruce (and a few other player were working hard to inspire the team). As the clock ran down, Bruce did one of his legendary runs at the Quins with Mark Tucker on his wing. And just at the perfect moment, popped the ball to Tucker (directly in front of me) for the winning try.

For me, that is everything about Bruce...Amazing runs, inspirational and never selfish (I think he could have gone to the line himself, if he really wanted)

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Casual Saint
15/06/2011 14:41

I remember it well - we were sneaking out early as we had to be elsewhere - got to the gate and then dashed back inside to see what the fuss was about !!!

The same season, Bath at home. The try that starts behind our own line at the Pavillion end and ended under the posts in front of the South Stand. We thought we were going to win the league at that stage. It was my boys first game as season ticket holders and that try started a love affair with Bruce that has stayed with them through thick and thin.

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Biggysaint
15/06/2011 17:19

Bruce's last kick of the game (from the touchlne) to convert an injury time try to come from behind to beat a high flying London Irish at FG. I was lucky to be standing on the D terrace and pefectly in line to see his pressure kick sail over for the win.

Happy days!

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Jim Winning
15/06/2011 17:40

If it's ok to have two stand out memories??

Bruce standing on the pitch microphone in hand on the day we got relegated and saying that the players were staying to make sure the team goes back up.

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smurfomatic
15/06/2011 17:45

So many memories. As well as those mentioned above, there was "that speech" four years ago when we were relegated. It was an apology and rallying call in one - we got ourselves (and the club) into this mess, and we'll sort it out.

Photo Gallery

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St_Bart
15/06/2011 18:21

His first game at the Gardens. Can't remember who we were playing but he came on with about 20 minutes to go and with his first touch made about 20 metres, saw Ripol free on his wing and threw a perfect pass off his left hand () for Oriol to run on to.
The look on Bruiser's face when the ripper wasn't ready or able to take the pass at full speed was a picture.

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Howlin
15/06/2011 23:46

Biggy you beat me to it. That kick was the measure of the man (remembering certain pundits would have you believe at the time he couldn't kick)

And of course pledging to stay and get us back up. Not only folowing through on that promise but inspiring others to do so too (eg Carlos) Where we are now has a lot to do with Bruce and his loyalty.

Saint til I die

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ChrisG
16/06/2011 08:25

Re-re-inventing himself as a born again winger after a bad patch at fullback when young Mr Foden took the shirt.

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oh!&jeremy
16/06/2011 09:05

After his first couple of games for us I was still not convinced about Bruce and I said as much to Shaddo - since then it has been a pleasure to have had to eat my own words on so many occassions!

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