Vale Bruce Buchan

The South Sydney Rabbitohs are mourning the passing of former Rabbitohs first grade prop and second rower, Bruce Buchan, who passed away at 12.40pm on 23 February 2026 at Macksville Hospital after a heart attack at his home, at the age of 72.

Bruce Andrew Buchan was born on 21 February 1954 at Murwillumbah, NSW, and was always affectionately known as ‘Bucho’. His parents were Arthur and Betty Buchan, and he also had a sister named Jill. Owing to his father’s work commitments the family moved around the state a fair bit, including to Bulli 1968, then to Cronulla, and also to India for a short stint. When they lived in Sydney Bruce attended the Sydney Tech High School and excelled in Schoolboy rugby.

He joined the NSW Police Force on 21 May 1973 as a trainee, and became a Constable on 1 July 1973, being stationed at Sutherland Police Station with general duties. On 17 November 1974 he transferred to the Traffic Branch, where he was a Solo Motor Cyclist. He transferred to general duties at Central Police Station on 15 February 1976, and was promoted to Constable First Class in July 1978.

Mr Buchan became heavily involved with the Port Hacking rugby union club, and won the best and fairest award in their competition, which brought him plenty of attention from rugby league scouts. He also played water polo, and was involved with the local surf club and the Polar Bears Swim Club in Cronulla.

Bruce trialled with the Cronulla Sharks before he was approached by Souths’ super coach, Jack Gibson, to come and play with the Rabbitohs. After impressing the Club in the 1978 pre-season and trial matches Souths offered him a contract, which was much better than what the Sharks offered him before. His father Arthur was concerned at his son’s sudden switch to rugby league, but it never bothered Bruce because he met some wonderful people and made lifelong friends at the Club.

He made his first grade debut with the Rabbitohs in round 3, 1978, against St. George at Redfern Oval to become Player #644 on our first grade Players Register. ‘Bucho’ played in 19 grade games for the Rabbitohs, eight of them were in first grade. Jack Gibson liked him and the way he played, as he was considered one of the ‘big boppers’ in his side, but injuries prevented him from developing further. He played his last game for the Rabbitohs in round 18 of the first grade encounter against Balmain, when he was forced to leave the field early owing to a knee injury, and was replaced by Col Cheeseman.

Bruce married Wendy Lawson on 6 October 1979 and they had two children, daughter Kristy (born in 1979) and son Brad (born in 1980). His injured knee eventually led to a full reconstruction stopped him from playing any games in 1979, and the Rabbitohs coach Bill Anderson came to his home in early 1980 to ask him if he was well enough to play. But his knee still did not heal properly and after further ongoing issues with it he decided to concentrate more on his work as a Police Officer.

Bruce and Wendy separated soon after the birth of their son Brad, and on 14 March 1982 he began Criminal Investigation training, being promoted to Senior Constable in August 1982. He transferred to the Detectives unit at Redfern Police Station in April 1983, where he remained until July 1986, when he transferred to the City of Sydney Police Station. He remained there until resigning from the Police Force on 14 May 1985, at the rank of Senior Constable.

Mr Buchan played rugby league for years in the NSW Police competition with the Central Police side, and represented the NSW Police against the Navy and the Army. He used to motivate his teammates by saying: "You are a piece of meat running at another piece of meat. The harder you run at it, the less you get injured."

He then moved to Macksville, where he played A grade rugby league for a number of years with the local side, and also coached juniors at Nambucca Heads. He moved back to the Shire at Kurnell and then back to Nambucca Heads in late 2025, to be with his lifelong friends there and to be closer to his family, owing to his declining health.

He was a much loved and respected man who walked to the beat of his own drum.

On behalf of everyone connected with the South Sydney Rabbitohs, we offer our deepest and most sincere condolences to the family and friends of Mr Bruce Buchan.

With special thanks to Kevin Piper and Wendy Lawson.