I feared the worst, says Robinson

Keith Robinson

Former All Black lock Keith Robinson was a mix of caution and optimism yesterday as he spoke about surviving his return to rugby.

After an assortment of injuries had kept him out of the sport for about 18 months, Robinson began his comeback last weekend in Te Aroha.

"I played my first game and got through about 50 minutes," Robinson said, "so from that point of view everything looks good.

"It was a test match for me and I was very happy to get through it."

It was easy to sense the energy in Robinson's conversation, the feeling of relief after all his setbacks trying to recover from back surgery, knee and leg ailments.

There was also a wary tinge to the discussion. The rugged second-rower was content with his sporting resumption but unwilling to look beyond the present.

The club game was a start and there was a long way to go before he could contemplate any serious competitive rugby.

"After I had my third back operation last year I didn't know if I would ever come right," Robinson confessed.

Since then, he has worked for the Healthfit gym in Te Aroha, an environment he said was perfect for his rehabilitation.

"I have worked my guts out and it kept my mind off rugby to the point where I could just focus on my training," he said.

"I have not done a lot of weights but there has been plenty of everything else."

Robinson got a medical all-clear at Christmas.

If he wanted to have another crack at rugby, the surgeon gave his blessing: "He said there was no harm in me playing again.

"He told me there would always be some back pain but if I could manage that I was not doing myself any more damage. It was up to me."

Robinson played the first of his six All Black tests against England at Twickenham in 2002, when coach John Mitchell left 21 test players at home.

Graham Henry picked Robinson in 2004 before the lock succumbed to a crippling array of injuries.

Robinson admitted that during his comeback match he was worried about how his back would deal with pushing in the scrums and landing after lineout leaps. "It all went all right and I am confident I am over the worst," Robinson said.

"But we will have to see how it pans out over the next weeks.

"I have got my goals and I am sure I will make them," he said with his usual determination.

Robinson, who helped the Chiefs lineouts during his injury layoff last year, has stayed away from Super 14 practices this year though he did watch the Chiefs as they defeated the Reds last week.

"I either want to be a player or, when I finish, maybe a specialist coach," he said. "I do not like the grey area in between. For now, though, I am just trucking on and we will see where it takes me."