New Highlanders first five-eighth Robbie Robinson talks
about his call-up: "It was pretty hard to keep the smile
off my face. It was a surprise. A big surprise." Photo by
Jane Dawber.
Robbie Robinson admits he was twiddling his thumbs when
this week's Highlanders team was read out.
After all, five rounds into the season and all he had to show
for it was a couple of appearances off the bench.
The last thing he expected was to hear his name called out.
But he got a pleasant surprise when coach Glenn Moore
pencilled in the blond 20-year-old Southlander to start his
first match for the Highlanders, and at the pivotal first
five-eighth position.
"It was pretty hard to keep the smile off my face.
"It was a surprise. A big surprise," Robinson said.
Robinson came on last week in the final 15 minutes to replace
first five-eighth Mathew Berquist in the 50-35 loss to the
Bulls, and must have done enough to convince Moore to take a
punt on the youngster.
"He [Moore] told me earlier in the week he was happy with how
I went on against the Bulls. But it was a real surprise to
get the call-up."
Robinson, who can also play fullback, said he just wanted to
play his natural game and help the team put together a
complete performance.
"Though I've only had limited minutes so far, what I have
noticed is the Super 14 is a lot quicker. There is far less
time to make a decision."
His decisions will have a big impact on whether the
Highlanders chalk up a win back on their home ground tomorrow
night.
He said playing alongside experienced captain Jimmy Cowan
would be a big help.
He will have to manage without family support as his father
is on the West Coast and his mother has a family engagement
and cannot attend the match either.
Moore said Robinson had been considered for selection over
the past few weeks and had impressed when he came off the
bench.
He said Robinson's relative youth would not hold him back,
and he had no fears of putting a 20-year-old into the
critical position of first five-eighth.
"He is a talented player who has played in an under-20 World
Cup final and played in a Ranfurly Shield winning side.
"We know he has got big match experience," Moore said.
"He does provide a point of difference."
Robinson is one of nine changes to the starting team which
lost 50-35 to the Bulls in Pretoria last week.
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