John Robbie

{{Short description|Irish rugby union player}} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}} {{Use Hiberno-English|date=November 2020}} {{Infobox rugby biography | name = John Cameron Robbie | image = | caption = | birth_name = John Cameron Robbie | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1955|11|17|df=yes}} | birth_place = Dublin, Ireland | death_date = | death_place = | height = | weight = | school = High School Dublin | university = Trinity College; Christ's College, Cambridge | position = Scrum-half | amatyears1 = 1976–88 | amatteam1 = | ru_amupdate = | repteam1 = Ireland | repteam2 = Lions | repyears1 = 1976–81 | repyears2 = 1980 | repcaps1 = 9 | repcaps2 = 1 | reppoints1 = 9 | reppoints2 = 0 | ru_ntupdate = | years1 = | apps1 = | points1 = | ru_clubupdate = | super1 = | superyears1 = | superapps1 = | superpoints1 = | ru_currentclub = | super14update = | province1 = | provinceyears1 = | provinceapps1 = | provincepoints1 = | ru_provinceupdate = | repsevensyears1 = | repsevenscomp1 = | ru_sevensupdate = | coachteams1 = | coachyears1 = | ru_coachupdate = }} '''John Cameron Robbie''' (born 17 November 1955)<ref>[http://www.espnscrum.com/ireland/rugby/player/8472.html John Robbie player profile] Scrum.com</ref> is a well known radio presenter in South Africa on Talk radio 702,<ref name="Radio702">{{cite web| title = Profile: Radio 702| url = http://www.702.co.za/profiles.asp?id=3| publisher = 702.co.za| access-date = 12 May 2011| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110625141850/http://www.702.co.za/profiles.asp?id=3| archive-date = 25 June 2011}}</ref> and a former {{Nrut|Ireland}} international rugby union player who played scrum half. His previous rugby career has also seen him take up the role of rugby commentator, both on television and in the press, particularly at the Independent Newspapers. He is a Laureus Sport for Good Foundation Ambassador.<ref name="Laureus"/>

==Life and career== John Robbie went to The High School, Dublin, where he was a member of the Leinster Schools Cup winning side in 1973. He then attended Trinity College and Christ's College, Cambridge,<ref name="Laureus">{{cite web| title = Laureus Ambassador| url = http://www.laureususa.com/friends-ambassadors/2096| publisher = laureususa.com| access-date = 12 May 2011}}{{dead link|date=November 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref name="WhosWho">{{cite web| title = Who's Who of Southern Africa| url = http://www.whoswhosa.co.za/john-robbie-6541| publisher = 24.com| access-date = 6 June 2009| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120421133747/http://www.whoswhosa.co.za/john-robbie-6541| archive-date = 21 April 2012| url-status = dead}}</ref> and was captain of the rugby teams at both universities.<ref name="Laureus"/>

He received his first cap for Ireland against Australia in Lansdowne Road on 17 January 1976, and went on to receive 9 caps for Ireland. He toured South Africa in 1980 with the British and Irish Lions playing in one test match, and at the time played club rugby for Greystones RFC; see 1980 British Lions tour to South Africa. He moved to South Africa in 1981.<ref name="WhosWho"/> He was later picked twice for the South African rugby team but never received a cap, at the time he was playing for Transvaal.<ref name=slush>{{cite web|author=|url=http://www.iol.co.za/sport/blowing-the-whistle-on-sa-s-sporting-bigots-1.528712?ot=inmsa.ArticlePrintPageLayout.ot |title=News for South Africa and the world |publisher=IOL |date=12 September 2003 |access-date=4 January 2013}}</ref>

As a talk show host, he has "interviewed a range of important figureheads, from heads of government and key players in the political arena, to sporting heroes, business gurus..." and is "not afraid to ask the difficult questions. He's hard-hitting, while remaining fair and honest."<ref name="Radio702"/> He became known for his motto "Cut the Slush!", pushing the other party to get to the point.<ref name="slush"/>

After a career in talk radio spanning 30 years, he has announced his retirement from radio with his farewell segment being his usual morning slot on 15 December 2016.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.702.co.za/articles/236113/after-30-years-in-talk-radio-john-robbie-hangs-up-his-earphones|title=After 30 years in talk radio, John Robbie hangs up his earphones|website=702|language=en|access-date=27 April 2020}}</ref>

==References== {{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Robbie, John}} Category:1955 births Category:Living people Category:South African people of British descent Category:Irish emigrants to South Africa Category:Irish rugby union players Category:Ireland international rugby union players Category:South African rugby union players Category:British & Irish Lions rugby union players from Ireland Category:Dublin University Football Club players Category:Greystones RFC players Category:Alumni of Christ's College, Cambridge Category:South African radio presenters Category:Rugby union journalists Category:People educated at The High School, Dublin Category:Rugby union players from Dublin (city) Category:Rugby union scrum-halves