Rugby: Robinson to lead backs in revamped Highlanders side

Southland Ranfurly Shield hero Robbie Robinson will make his starting debut for the Highlanders in their Super 14 rugby match against the Sharks at Carisbrook on Saturday night.

Robinson, 20, whose three penalty goals brought the shield back to Invercargill last October for the first time in 50 years, will be start at first five-eighth in a revamped Highlanders side.

Captain Jimmy Cowan will return from injury, and Adam Thomson and Michael Hobbs from suspension, as coach Glenn Moore rings the changes in a bid to re-invigorate his team.

Robinson scored a try off the bench against the Bulls in Pretoria last weekend and now has been named to start outside Cowan as the Highlanders seek a winning formula.

Hobbs will play at second five-eighth and Matt Berquist, who played in the No 10 jersey against the Bulls, has been dropped.

"It's a thrill," Robinson said. "I'm looking forward to it. At the outset of the season I knew it would be hard to get a spot. I know, when I'm given a chance, that I have to make the most of it." It is uncertain at present whether he or fullback Israel Dagg will do the goal-kicking.

"I think Izzy wants to do it but he's got a bit of a sore knee at the moment so we'll see how that goes," Robinson said.

Robinson's parents, Robbie senior and Tania, will watch his progress as he becomes the third player this season to don the Highlanders' No 10 jersey.

Robinson said he had been soaking up the experience and felt he was ready for the challenge.

"I watched a bit of the Sharks and they'll be desperate, but it's a home game for us so we'll be desperate too," he said.

"We've got to make the most of the next few home games (against the Sharks, Lions and Force). If we don't, it will put us in a difficult situation.

"Our kicking game hasn't been as accurate as we would like it to be and our work rate off the ball has to be better." Robinson said he learnt a lot on his first tour of South Africa.

"It was hot. It was tough not getting picked each week. It kind of left me with nothing to get excited about at the end of the week.

"But then I got chosen in the 22 to play the Bulls and that was a real boost. The crowds in Africa were intimidating at all the venues. They were massive and really vocal. It would be nice to have crowds like that here." Robinson has almost recovered from the jet-lag after the Highlanders returned to Dunedin from Africa on Tuesday.

"I suffered when I got over there but coming back hasn't been too bad," he said.

Robinson should feel pretty much at home on Saturday. There are 11 Southland players in the 22, eight in the starting lineup and three in the reserves.