Vale Norbert Byrne

Queensland Rugby Union and the wider Queensland Rugby community are today mourning the passing of Norbert Byrne, born in 1929, who passed away early on Easter Sunday aged 86.

Norbert was widely regarded as one of the foremost administrative architects of the restoration of Queensland as a Rugby force in the 1970s. As QRU’s longest serving Chairman, Norbert fulfilled the role from 1970 to 1988.

Norbert’s part in arranging regular matches between Queensland and New Zealand provincial sides helped Queensland build a period of success which spanned for two decades.

Norbert was influential in the international development of the game, playing a guiding role in the creation and evolution of the first Rugby World Cup in 1987, as well as being a representative member of the committee that went on to be known as the International Rugby Board. He was also a QRU delegate to the ARU in 1990s, serving as a representative on a range of ARU committees.

A former St. Joseph’s Gregory Terrace and University of Queensland player, Norbert was also a First XV coach at Terrace and was credited as being highly influential in the development of many Queensland and Australian representatives including Chris Handy.

Norbert's funeral will take place on Wednesday 6 April, at St. Brigid's Catholic Church in Red Hill, at 11:00am.