Robinson wary of Reds 'curve balls'
Tue, 09 Feb 2010 14:40
Waratahs loosehead prop Benn Robinson expects the Reds pack to throw some "curve balls" when he comes up against his former coach and mentor for the first time in Saturday's Super 14 first round clash in Brisbane.
The interstate clash will be the Reds' first Super 14 fixture under new coach Ewen McKenzie, the man who in 2006 gave Robinson his start at the Waratahs.
The 25-year old Robinson, who has now played 31 Tests for Australia and has been lauded for his key role in helping to stabilise the previously wobbly Wallabies scrum, remains grateful to McKenzie, who himself gained 51 Test caps for the Wallabies as a prop.
"I thank Ewen so much for giving me my first opportunity," Robinson told Australian Associated Press (AAP).
"I came off the bench against the Reds in [the opening round of] 2006, so it's funny how it turns around.
"'Linky' [McKenzie] put a lot of faith in me as a young bloke.
"I think within two or three games I was starting with such an experienced pack.
"He had faith in me and I think I showed it back," said Robinson.
"When we were doing our scrummaging sessions, he came in and gave some advice now and then, so when he did I was glued straight to it.
"His knowledge about the game is really high."
Robinson is wary of the work the experienced, astute McKenzie has done with perennial strugglers the Reds and believes he has improved their forward play and stiffened their defence in particular.
He noted the effectiveness of the Reds scrum in their pre-season games.
"If you look at the last two or three trial matches, they have disrupted a lot of teams," Robinson said.
"I think Link will be keen to get on top of us. I think they will be throwing everything at us, especially up front. We expect there will be little curve balls."
While grateful to McKenzie, Robinson also stressed the importance of the input of Waratahs forwards coach Michael Foley to his game over the last couple of years.
The Waratahs are expected to field one of the best Super 14 packs this year and Robinson said consistency would be their biggest issue.
"If we have a very consistent scrum, we can be a lot more damaging.
"I like to keep improving as a player. Of course scrummaging is my number one focus," Robinson told AAP.
The major selection queries surrounding the Waratahs pack will be the combination for the second row and whether Wallaby forward Dean Mumm lines up there or in the back row.
Hamstring injuries to wing Drew Mitchell (who has transferred from the Force) and centre Rob Horne have clouded the selection of the backline for the Reds match, while Kurtley Beale and Daniel Halangahu are vying for spots alongside fellow playmaker Berrick Barnes.
Barnes, who accumulated 45 Super 14 caps for the Reds between 2006 and 2009, is set to make his Waratahs debut at flyhalf, while their recruit from the Chiefs, former All Black (with one Test cap) Sosene Anesi, is expected to play fullback.
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