By WYNNE GRAY
When Mark Robinson made his Super 12 debut for the Crusaders in 2000, he had such an impact that he was also capped twice that year for the All Blacks.
He was a centre, not with express pace but a player who seemed to have some great instincts for
that position, solid defence and good timing, and he could position his support players.
Robinson looked a strong chance to replace the Japan-bound Alama Ieremia in the All Blacks, but as quickly as he rose, he fell to a series of leg injuries. Little was seen of him last season, but Robinson is on the comeback trail.
He is in a strongly competitive midfield for the Crusaders with the Mauger brothers and Daryl Gibson.
But if he can get established and stay free of injury, Robinson may be a crucial strategist for the Crusaders' plans.
If he can take some of the organisational heat away from Andrew Mehrtens, the Crusaders' backline will become even more dangerous than they look on paper.
And if Robinson can repeat his form of 2000, the national selectors might offer a little prayer, as they have had little depth at centre since the exit of Frank Bunce.
