In keen pursuit of the pigskin

By WYNNE GRAY

Any day off during the NPC, Waikato lock Keith Robinson could usually be found pig hunting near Tokoroa or tramping the Thames Valley hills.

It's his remedy to get rid of muscle soreness - an outdoorsman's answer to the modern concepts of massage or water therapy. It is also a great chance to get out with his good mate and father Jock, a dairy farmer who also loves the exercise and freedom.

"We're not the best hunters but there is always a piece of pork in the freezer," says Robinson. "We do some fishing too and I love my diving. Anything outdoors is so good."

As a youngster he used to compete in triathlons and found the school cross-country suited his natural fitness.

That sort of conditioning has played a large part in Robinson's rise to All Black recognition: he has a big heart and his engine rarely splutters in the multi-phase sport which rugby has become.

Robinson is a 25-year-old latecomer to rugby, someone who spurned the game at secondary school to be with his mates and hang out round his Te Aroha birthplace.

"I just sort of cruised through college and ate my lunch," he chuckles.

He took on a polytech course, helped on the family farm and one day thought he would rock up and try out for the College Old Boys under-21s. The mix suited and soon Robinson was in the senior side, enjoying the game and even making the Valley side in 1998 but without any thoughts of going further.

He spent three months playing at North Ribblesdale in Yorkshire at the end of that year, a club he reckons would be about ninth division. It was as much a social excursion as a rugby one but nevertheless the club might now claim an All Black on its honours board.

Back home, a mate, Shane Te Mata, son of the Waikato forwards coach, reckoned Robinson could be an asset and suggested he try out for a first division side.

"If it wasn't for him I would never have chased the idea but it suits me. I love doing physical work though I probably need a bit more bulk for this stuff," he says.

"I need to put on a bit more muscle because I am still probably one of the weakest locks in first division. That is the gym stuff but you are not really trying to benchpress out on the field so I get by."

Robinson linked up with Taranaki two years ago for the NPC and was used as a substitute in most games. His displays attracted the then Chiefs coach John Mitchell and he was given a Super 12 contract last season and moved to the Waikato.

"We made the semis and while I didn't play a lot, Taranaki put a lot on me and helped me a great deal.

"Mitch must have seen something in me and the next thing I was with the Chiefs. I had been hoping to get a start in the Taranaki side the next NPC and maybe shoot for the Hurricanes after that, but it suited me to be back home in the Waikato."

Project Robinson got a further call-up from Mitchell with the naming of the All Black squad.

"That was just amazing. You are always hopeful but I was not sure if I had done enough or what Mitch was after. But when my name was read out that was unbelievable."

Now he faces England captain Martin Johnson in his test debut.

"It is awesome. I think it is something I am going to thrive on. He is Martin Johnson and he doesn't know who I am so it is a great chance for me to get stuck in and do my best for the All Blacks."

Watching from the stands will be Robinson's parents, Jock and Wilma, who decided to fly over once their son was picked for his test debut.

They will be in London only a few days - it is too tough to get a relief sharemilker for any longer.

Robinson's only nerves are about getting the haka done, although he accepts the atmosphere at Twickenham will be like nothing before.