Whanganui rugby: Ethan Robinson notches up 50th Whanganui cap

Steelform Whanganui's Ethan Robinson in action during his side's 39-21 win over North Otago at Cooks Gardens in the 2025 Heartland Championship season-opener. Photo / Kate Belsham, Ivy Digital

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The “Kaiwakas” were out in force at Cooks Garden last Saturday as one of their own reached a special milestone in the Steelform Whanganui jumper.

Kaierau RFC and Whanganui second five-eighths Ethan Robinson played his 50th first-class game, against Horowhenua-Kāpiti, having debuted off the bench at the same ground against North Otago in 2017.

“[Feeling] pretty good, I suppose it’s just as special as the first time and it took a while to get there,” the 28-year-old said.

“But nevertheless, they’ve all been pretty tough seasons and games and I still get up for this one as much as the first and everything in between.”

After that first match in 2017 as a reserve, backline injuries saw Robinson make his starting debut the following week in the Meads Cup semifinal against South Canterbury, setting up a try in the famous upset win.

While he didn’t play in the final, he had a vital role in Whanganui’s 2021 Lochore Cup victory over North Otago, kicking four penalties in the 22-16 win.

After a club rugby season in Australia in 2023, Robinson returned to the Whanganui side last season and has been a first-line player ever since, recognised by being selected for the New Zealand Heartland XV in their two games last November.

“Heaps of good memories, it’s hard to look past that 2017 semifinal [as favourite],” Robinson said.

“But in saying that, looking back and seeing the likes of Jamie [Hughes], Dane [Whale], Samu [Kubunavanua], all those still there from my first game till now, becoming a senior player, it’s just cool to hang on to those friendships.

“I know there’s not a hell of a lot of time left with the team I started with, so it’s good to keep building new friendships and memories, but thankful to have those guys in the team since the beginning.”

Robinson received his blazer with the number 50 embroidered under the badge at the after-match function on Saturday from his father and team manager Darrell Robinson, as well as his grandfather and former Whanganui Rugby Football Union president Mark Carroll.