Benn Robinson
Birth nameBenn Alexander Robinson
Birth date19 July 1984 (age 42)
Birth placeSydney, New South Wales, Australia
Height183 cm (6 ft 0 in)[1]
Weight113 kg (17 st 11 lb)
PositionProp
SchoolThe King's School, Sydney
Youthclubs 1Beecroft Rugby Club
Amatyears 12004–2014
Amatteam 1Eastwood
Amatapps 154
Amatpoints 10
Years 12007
Years 22014−2015
Ru clubupdate4 December 2014
Clubs 1Western Sydney Rams
Clubs 2Greater Sydney Rams
Apps 11
Apps 25
Points 10
Points 20
Super 1Waratahs
Superyears 12006–2016
Superapps 1151
Superpoints 135
Super14update28 June 2015
Repyears 12002
Repyears 22003
Repyears 32005
Repyears 42006–2015
Repteam 1Australia Schoolboys
Repteam 2Australia U19
Repteam 3Australia U21
Repteam 4Australia
Repcaps 12
Repcaps 35
Repcaps 472
Reppoints 10
Reppoints 30
Reppoints 415
Ru ntupdate30 November 2014

Benn Robinson (born 19 July 1984) is a former Australian professional rugby union footballer. He played as a loosehead prop for the New South Wales Waratahs in the Super Rugby and for Australia in international matches.[1]

He retired from rugby in June 2016 after suffering a serious eye injury, having made 72 test match and 151 Super Rugby appearances.[2]

Early life

Robinson grew up in the town of Glenorie, on the outskirts of Sydney. He attended Glenorie Public School and played his junior rugby for the local Dural Rugby Club and Beecroft Cherrybrook Rugby Club.[1] He was educated at The King's School, where he played for the First XV and went on to play for the Australian Schoolboys in 2002.[1] He was selected and played for the Australian under 21 side in 2005,[3] and played every match for the team at the IRB under-21 World Championships in Argentina.

Rugby career

The 2006 season became a ground-breaking one for Robinson. He made his Super 14 debut for the Waratahs against the Queensland Reds in Brisbane on 11 February 2006, and went on to play in all 13 games for the Waratahs during the season.[4] He also made his Test debut for the Wallabies against South Africa in the TriNations.[3] In 2009 he became the second winner of the People's Choice – Wallaby of the Year award, at the John Eales Medal awards night. This award is voted on by the Australian public.[citation needed]

In 2011, Robinson's Rugby World Cup aspirations were dealt a cruel blow when he was ruled of the tournament with a season-ending knee injury. The blow was cruel luck for the popular 27-year-old, who had provided the Wallabies scrum with stability through much of the three seasons leading up to last year's Rugby World Cup.[3] In 2012, Robinson became the 163rd player to captain New South Wales, leading the Waratahs side out for clashes with the Sharks and Chiefs.[5][6]

In 2014, Robinson won the Super Rugby title with the Waratahs.

Work in the media

Robinson has been utilised in various television media roles at different stages to date during his career. He was bestowed the nickname "Cat", due to his likeness to the former Australian Test cricketer and Channel Nine's The Footy Show personality, Greg "Fat Cat" Ritchie. While sidelined with injury in 2011, Robinson acted as an experts comments man for terrestrial broadcaster Channel Nine, during the key matches of the 2011 & 2015 Rugby World Cups. Benn has now commenced an Insurance career at a specialist sports Insurer SLE Worldwide Australia Pty Limited. Benn has commenced as an Underwriter to the stars.[citation needed]

References

  1. ^ "Waratahs profile". waratahs.com.au. Archived 7 February 2014 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 8 February 2014.
  2. ^ "NSW Waratahs' highest-ever capped player, Benn Robinson announces his retirement from rugby". Waratahs. 7 June 2016. Archived 7 June 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 7 June 2016.
  3. ^ "Wallabies profile (2013)". rugby.com.au. Archived 7 February 2014 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 8 February 2014.
  4. ^ ", Super 14 Season 2006– Games played". itsrugby.co.uk. Retrieved 8 February 2014.
  5. ^ Payten, Iain (25 March 2012). "Benn Robinson gains wisdom from former Waratahs captain Phil Waugh". The Daily Telegraph
  6. ^ Horne, Ben (23 March 2012). "I will lead Waratahs by example, says Robinson". theroar.com.au. Retrieved 8 February 2014.

Video clips