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Dan Robson returned from England’s Test series in South Africa as an unused tourist under Eddie Jones. The scrum-half’s inclusion in the squad had excited fans across the country who felt he deserved a shot at international level given his Premiership form for Wasps, but a first cap failed to materialise as Ben Youngs and Ben Spencer superceded him. He spoke to RugbyPass about the experience.
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“Obviously it was frustrating, you feel like you’re that much closer, you’re on tour, you’re one call away from getting that opportunity. It was a frustrating time, but it was also another step closer for me, you’ve got to look at it positively. I learnt a lot from the players and coaches and that’s what you’ve got to do. I’ve got to take those learnings and put it into my game and really step on this year,” Robson said.
On his relationship with Eddie Jones, Robson continued, “He [Jones] wants to see people work for it. He wants to see people putting effort in and wanting to play for England. Being in that environment can only help you. The players are the best of the best and the coaches are the same. I just had to take as much in as possible and put it into what I need.”
Robson rejoined his Wasps clubmates after a break and although he missed some of the more unpleasant fitness elements of pre-season, he has still had to play catch up.
Robson said, “It’s good to be back. I’ve only been back a few weeks, it’s still been really tough. I’ve done a bit of separate stuff away from the lads which is never fun – watching them train and you’re running up and down the pitch. Competition for places this year is as strong as we’ve ever had. The guys coming in have really pushed that and it’s exciting. ”
While Robson hopes that he can push for inclusion in England’s autumn internationals squad, he will be hoping his form keeps attracting the attention of the England head coach. So what is he focussing on? Robson said, “Upping every bit of my game. I feel like I can give a lot more. That’s the exciting thing for me. I feel like I’ve been playing well but there’s a lot of room there just to keep moving on.”
Comments on RugbyPass
The value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
3 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
37 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
10 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
37 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
3 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
37 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
49 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
37 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
37 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
37 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
37 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
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