Brett John Robinson

Brett Robinson was both an outstanding openside flanker and leader who in all likelihood would have earned many more Tests caps had it not been for two factors, the presence of David Wilson and his medical studies. Born in Toowoomba, Robinson was educated at Downlands College and as a keen student of the game, learned much from ex-England coach John Elders. He played his club rugby at Souths in Brisbane and in 1993 earned a debut for Queensland against Western Province at Ballymore. Later that year Robinson toured North America and France with the Wallabies but did not play a Test. In 1994 he was named in the Emerging Wallabies side that toured Southern Africa under coach John Connolly. Robinson’s big break came when SANZAR agreed to add a fourth Australian franchise and turn the Super Ten into a Super 12 affair. Robinson was one of new Brumbies’ head coach Rod McQueen’s first recruits. He was picked in the Wallaby squad to tour Europe and the U.K. and made his Test debut against Italy in Padova. His breakout year was 1997 when he played in all 12 Wallaby internationals. Brett Robinson played 16 Tests in his three year international career.

Highlights

1991

Represented Australian U21s

1996

Robinson won his first Test cap off the bench when he replaced Michael Brial at No.8 (and then switched with Daniel Manu to the blind side flank) in the 40-18 victory over Italy in Padova. He picked up two more replacement caps against Scotland and Ireland.

1997

Robinson played in all 12 Wallaby internationals, nine of which were earned in the run-on XV. He made his starting debut at No.7 in the 1st Test, 29-15 defeat of France in Sydney.

1998

Robinson picked up his final cap in the Rugby World Cup qualifier against Tonga as the combination of David Wilson and Matt Cockbain started 12 of the Wallabies’ 13 Tests.