Beau Stanley Robinson

Beau Robinson’s “unusual journey” to Wallaby gold was a struggle laced with tragedy. Selected to Australian Schools out of St Stanislaus’ College in Bathurst the hard-as-nails back-rower had a career that took him from Italy to garbage collection to a Super Rugby title and finally into a Wallaby Test jersey.

In 2008, Robinson was on the Waratah back-row roster with Wallabies David Lyons, Rocky Elsom, Wycliff Palu and Phil Waugh. Despite a bright future Robinson was not included in new coach Chris Hickey’s plans for 2009. He then accepted an offer from Italian side Benevento Gladiators to play third division rugby only for tragedy to strike when his younger brother was killed in a London rail accident. Robinson returned to Australia, turned out for the Warringah Rats, and accepted a job as a garbage collector in order to get by while he returned to University.

Inspired by the words of his late brother Robinson chose to have one last crack at Super Rugby. He contacted Queensland Reds coach Ewen McKenzie and was granted a trial without guarantee, nor any pay, unless he made the team. Robinson did just that and he went on to be a key part of the team’s maiden title win in 2011. A phenomenal season was capped when he made his Test debut against Samoa in Sydney.

Highlights

2004

Represented Australian Schools against Ireland Schools, Samoan Schools and New Zealand Schools.

2011

Robinson won his first and only Test cap off the bench when he replaced Matt Hodgson at openside flanker in the 23-32 loss to Samoa in Sydney.