Robinson, having just turned 20, was named in the side yesterday, a dramatic rise given he was in the Southland Boys High School First XV only two years ago.
Robinson, taking part in a glitzy launch of the 2010 competition in Auckland yesterday, said he sometimes found it hard to realise how much progress he had made in his short rugby career.
"It's been a big year and to make it to Super 14 is great, though you've got to pinch yourself sometimes and realise it has happened," Robinson said.
He was happy with his play in the Southland jersey this year, and with a large group of Southland players in next year's team, getting into the Highlanders' spirit of things would not be hard.
Robinson had a taste of the Super 14 last season, when he was on a rookie contract where he trained for all of the pre-season.
"That was hard as you had to do all the training, yet you knew you were never going to play a game. But looking back at it now, it was good for me and was a good way to prepare for this coming season."
He paid tribute to his school coach, Peter Skelt, Southland co-coach Simon Culhane and New Zealand Under-20 coach Dave Rennie.
He did not have a preference for a position but just wanted to get on the paddock.
He started most of the games for Southland in the No 10 jersey but played fullback for the victorious New Zealand Under-20 side.
Highlanders coach Glenn Moore said Robinson was an exciting, explosive player.
Though he did not have a definite preference on where to play the youngster, he was leaning towards fullback.
He would have plenty of competition there, with the likes of Israel Dagg and Ben Smith.
Otago captain Alando Soakai, who was also at the launch, said 2010 was the time for the Highlanders to deliver.
"We've been together for three years and it's been a work in progress, but this year has to be it," Soakai said.
"If we have another year like last year, then we will have to really ask questions of ourselves."
Soakai , who played well on the openside flank for the Highlanders last season, said with four possible openside flankers in the squad, competition for places would be immense, but that would bring out the best in everyone.
