In 2005 Robinson was appointed England captain. He was the 118th captain of England, the first mixed-race player and the first former rugby league player to captain England. In his first appearance as captain he scored a hat-trick, but the team around him was poor and lacking direction after the highs of 2003.
His injury in the 2007 final, finally finished the England fight back, coming after a humiliating opening game defeat, Robinson helped inspire England to reach the final against South Africa, was not the way he would have chosen to end his international career.
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| Robinson at Wigan R.L. |
2010-11 was another sensational year for Jersey Rugby. Their amazing climb up the RFU pyramid has been nothing short of astonishing, reaching the heady heights of the third tier of English rugby.
When the rugby fixtures for 2011-12 were issued, the Caesareans were pitted away to Fylde, another up and coming side from the North West. Imagine my excitement when I discovered that World Cup winner and hero of mine, Jason 'Billy Whiz' Robinson was a Fylde player!
A World Cup winner gracing the St Peters turf, definitely worth more than the £5 entrance fee!
Sadly this now is not to be, as the former Wigan Rugby League, Bath, Sale, England and British Lion decided last week to finally call it a day, citing a persistent knee injury, after an illustrious career at the very top.
Robinson began his career at the all conquering Wigan Rugby League in the early 90's. He became a massive star, winning pretty much all there was to win. His path to the top could have been so different had not a Samoan, Va'ainga Tuigamala, not recognised the slippery slope to alcohol addiction Robinson was on. Perhaps due to his issues surrounding his difficult upbringing, perhaps the fame of being a huge celebrity in a small town. 'Inga the winger' introduced him to Christianity and so helped him turn his life, and career around.
When the rugby fixtures for 2011-12 were issued, the Caesareans were pitted away to Fylde, another up and coming side from the North West. Imagine my excitement when I discovered that World Cup winner and hero of mine, Jason 'Billy Whiz' Robinson was a Fylde player!
A World Cup winner gracing the St Peters turf, definitely worth more than the £5 entrance fee!
Sadly this now is not to be, as the former Wigan Rugby League, Bath, Sale, England and British Lion decided last week to finally call it a day, citing a persistent knee injury, after an illustrious career at the very top.
Robinson began his career at the all conquering Wigan Rugby League in the early 90's. He became a massive star, winning pretty much all there was to win. His path to the top could have been so different had not a Samoan, Va'ainga Tuigamala, not recognised the slippery slope to alcohol addiction Robinson was on. Perhaps due to his issues surrounding his difficult upbringing, perhaps the fame of being a huge celebrity in a small town. 'Inga the winger' introduced him to Christianity and so helped him turn his life, and career around.
A brief flirt with union at Bath RFU wetted his appetite and so after almost 300 games and 160 plus tries later, Robinson, or Billy Whiz as he became known due to his phenomenal acceleration, left Wigan to try his hand at the 15 a side code of Rugby Union with Sale Sharks.
Robinson was a massive hit, becoming the first man to win both the Guinness Premiership (Rugby Union) and Super League (Rugby League) trophies, also only the second to represent England and Great Britain in both codes. He represented and scored for the British and Irish Lions in the tour of Australia, in a team that really should have won that series, also touring the rugby stronghold of New Zealand. But it is his appearances in the white of England that will forever keep him in the hearts and minds of rugby fans, much as the football fans do with Sir Geoff Hurst. His dash over the line to score England’s only try in the 2003 final win, only second to the dramatic final drop goal by Jonny Wilkinson, will forever stay with me as a moment of pure sporting drama.
Robinson was a massive hit, becoming the first man to win both the Guinness Premiership (Rugby Union) and Super League (Rugby League) trophies, also only the second to represent England and Great Britain in both codes. He represented and scored for the British and Irish Lions in the tour of Australia, in a team that really should have won that series, also touring the rugby stronghold of New Zealand. But it is his appearances in the white of England that will forever keep him in the hearts and minds of rugby fans, much as the football fans do with Sir Geoff Hurst. His dash over the line to score England’s only try in the 2003 final win, only second to the dramatic final drop goal by Jonny Wilkinson, will forever stay with me as a moment of pure sporting drama.
In 2005 Robinson was appointed England captain. He was the 118th captain of England, the first mixed-race player and the first former rugby league player to captain England. In his first appearance as captain he scored a hat-trick, but the team around him was poor and lacking direction after the highs of 2003.
His injury in the 2007 final, finally finished the England fight back, coming after a humiliating opening game defeat, Robinson helped inspire England to reach the final against South Africa, was not the way he would have chosen to end his international career.
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| Verses Australia 2003, Captain Johnson looks on |
Having now confirmed his retirement, Robinson's first task will be for charity. Forming part of an elite team of military personnel, running and cycling the distance between Camp Bastion in Afghanistan and Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham (where our wounded and injured service personnel continue with their physical and emotional recovery), in aid of its official charity, which is sponsored by Proskins.Amongst the flood of accolades, former team mate Steve Hanley was among the first to pay tribute to the dual code club and international star, commenting, "Quite simply, Jason is the best player to have ever played rugby."
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| Lions action |
Rugby's loss may well be to Jersey's gain this season, but I for one wished that there was just one more season left in those knees!
Jason Robinson MBE, OBE
You can donate to the charity at www.justgiving.com/bastion2brum.
Jason Robinson MBE, OBE
You can donate to the charity at www.justgiving.com/bastion2brum.
Agreed Jimmy........
ReplyDeleteGreat peron and great player. Had the Pleasure of meeting him at Wigan's 30-10 Challenge Cup Final victory over Leeds in 1995 through a friend!
Genuinely nice bloke, Only gutted he didn't pull on the shirt of the Loiners (Rhinos) when he was offered the contract. Fair play-he continued to learn his trade with Hunslet, before going on to greatness.