Rugby: Reds flanker's form raises the bar

Beau Robinson. Photo / Getty Images

He was a reliable barman but drinkers at the Irish Heart Hotel in Goodna appreciate every moment Beau Robinson now spends in his preferred career.

Robinson's future as a professional rugby player was in jeopardy when the Sydney club competition an eight-month stint in Italy was not enough to draw interest from Super 15 newcomers Melbourne.

The specialist openside flanker had already been cut by the Waratahs in 2009 after failing to crack the 22-man squad led by durable former Wallabies No.7 Phil Waugh.

He then set his sights on Queensland, but Ewen McKenzie, his first coach at NSW, instead imported Daniel Braid from Auckland to succeed 116-game stalwart David Croft.

Undeterred by McKenzie's rejection, and encouraged by Braid's return home for last year's NPC, Robinson begged to join the Reds pre-season in a training capacity and permission was granted - there was no contract on the table so he poured schooners to keep himself in beer money.

Robinson realised 2011 could be his last chance to re-establish himself in the same exalted company as David Pocock and the aging Waugh and, after mixing bar work with practice sessions at Ballymore, the 24-year-old can now focus entirely on rugby.

He made his run-on debut for Queensland in round three against the Brumbies and has been an integral member of the competition leaders loose trio ever since, to justify McKenzie's faith - and also prove him wrong.

"This year was pretty much it for me, it was dire straits," Robinson told NZPA.

"When Link (McKenzie) let me train I tried to remain positive and give it all I've got."

McKenzie was hardly in a bind when surveying his options for openside. Lei Tomiki, another former Waratah, Ed Quirk plus promising juniors Liam Gill and Jake Schatz were already on the books.

Quirk started the campaign but part-time sports management student Robinson is now top of the class.

"I've been pretty lucky I haven't had any injuries, it's all worked out pretty well.

"I'm quite fortunate we're in good form and the boys are playing some really good football. It's made my life easier."

Robinson was not as upbeat when Braid was signed as Australian Super rugby's first marquee import and he felt even more disheartened when injury ruined the All Black's planned move to Wales in 2010.

"I thought something might have come up but that's how it is," he said, disappointed Braid is injured again and unavailable for Friday's top of the table clash with the Blues at Suncorp Stadium.

Robinson had already contested the breakdown with the likes of Richie McCaw and Schalk Burger during his back-up role at the Waratahs in 2008 so his return to the top flight after two years out of Super rugby has not been too daunting.

"I haven't had to change my game. I just do what I've always done. I enjoy a challenge," he said.

Robinson also enjoys the security of a playing contract these days - when he made his fifth appearance of the season against the Cheetahs in March he was automatically handed a deal worth about $A60,000.

He could not celebrate his change of fortune with the blokes in the Irish Heart because the Reds flew out to South Africa the morning after the Cheetahs were tamed but he still turns up for a pub lunch whenever possible.

Robinson reckoned the regulars were glad to see him on the right side of the bar, but wasn't so sure about the publican.

"There's two dollar pots (of beer) for every minute I'm on. They love it when I'm playing."

- NZPA