Jason Robinson (rugby)

Last updated

Jason Robinson
OBE
Jason Robinson 2009.jpg
Birth nameJason Thorpe Robinson
Date of birth (1974-07-30) 30 July 1974 (age 49)
Place of birth Leeds, Yorkshire, England
Height5 ft 4 in (1.63 m)
Weight12 st 11 lb (81 kg)
Rugby league career
Position(s) Fullback, Wing
Senior career
YearsTeamApps(Points)
1991–2000 Wigan 302 (685)
Correct as of 21 May 2021
International career
YearsTeamApps(Points)
1993–1999 Great Britain 12 (32)
England 7 (12)
1997 Rest of the World 4 (4)
Correct as of 29 April 2020
Rugby union career
Position(s) Wing, Fullback, Centre
Senior career
YearsTeamApps(Points)
1996 Bath 14 (35)
2000–2007 Sale Sharks 159 (248)
2010–2011 Fylde 3 (5)
Correct as of 27 July 2010
International career
YearsTeamApps(Points)
2001–2007 England 51 (140)
2001 & 2005 British & Irish Lions 5 (10)
Correct as of 13 February 2007

Jason Thorpe Robinson OBE (born 30 July 1974) is an English former dual-code international rugby league and rugby union footballer who played in the 1990s and 2000s. [1] [2] [3] Playing as a wing or fullback, he won 51 rugby union international caps for England and is the first black man to captain the England team. [4] He was part of the 2003 World Cup winning rugby union England team.

Contents

In rugby league he won 12 caps for Great Britain and seven for England. Throughout his career Robinson was noted for his speed and acceleration, side-step and ability to beat defenders.

Rugby league

Born 30 July 1974 in Leeds, West Yorkshire, Robinson began playing rugby as a child at Hunslet Boys Club and then Hunslet Parkside before starting his rugby league career in 1991 at semi-professional side Hunslet. Despite being offered a contract by Leeds, he stuck by his club as it would have meant leaving at an inconvenient time. He was later rewarded by a contract with Wigan Warriors who went on to dominate British rugby league. His form quickly establishing him in Wigan's first team, as a teenager he was touted as a future halfback or loose forward. He was selected to play on the wing for Wigan against the visiting Brisbane Broncos in the 1992 World Club Challenge. [5]

Robinson played in Wigan's 5–4 victory over St. Helens in the 1992 Lancashire Cup Final at Knowsley Road, St. Helens on Sunday 18 October 1992. [6]

He played and scored a try in Wigan's 15–8 victory over Bradford Northern in the 1992–93 Regal Trophy Final during the 1992–93 season at Elland Road, Leeds on Saturday 23 January 1993, [7] played in the 2–33 defeat by Castleford in the 1993–94 Regal Trophy Final during the 1993–94 season at Headingley Rugby Stadium, Leeds on Saturday 22 January 1994, played in the 40–10 victory over Warrington in the 1994–95 Regal Trophy Final during the 1994–95 season at Alfred McAlpine Stadium, Huddersfield on Saturday28 January 1995, [8] and played in the 25–16 victory over St. Helens in the 1995–96 Regal Trophy Final during the 1995–96 season at Alfred McAlpine Stadium, Huddersfield on Saturday 13 January 1996. [9]

In 1993, Robinson played in his first Challenge Cup Final, with Wigan defeating Widnes. [10] Later that year at age 19 Robinson was first selected to represent Great Britain on the wing against New Zealand. [11]

After the 1993–94 Rugby Football League season, Robinson travelled with defending champions Wigan to Brisbane, playing on the wing in their 1994 World Club Challenge victory over Australian premiers, the Brisbane Broncos.

In 1995, Robinson was offered a 4-year deal worth a record £1.25 million by the Australian Rugby League to play for the South Sydney Rabbitohs at the end of 1997's Super League II. [12] He recovered from a foot injury to play in Wigan's 30–10 Challenge Cup Final victory over Leeds, scoring two tries and earning himself the Lance Todd Trophy as man-of-the-match. [13]

Robinson played for England in the 1995 World Cup Final on the wing but Australia won the match and retained the Cup.

Jason Robinson Jubile Chabal-Nallet - 20150604 - Jason Robinson.jpg
Jason Robinson

In May 1996, Robinson played for Wigan in a special two-game, cross code challenge series against Bath, then the leading club side in English rugby union. Robinson scored twice in the first game, an 82–6 victory for Wigan under league rules, [14] as well as playing in the union game, which ended 44–19 to Bath. [15] Following the cross-code challenge series, a number of Wigan's players, including Robinson, elected to take advantage of the fact that rugby union had turned professional, and ended its ban on players that had played rugby league, by signing short-term contracts to play union during the Super League off-season. Robinson joined Bath and played 14 games for the side between September 1996 and January 1997. [16] At the end of the first Super League season, Robinson was named on the wing in the 1996 Super League Dream Team.

In the midst of the Super League war, Robinson played a one-off international for a 'Rest of the World' team in their 28–8 loss against the Australian Rugby League's Kangaroos in mid-1997. [17] With his contracted move to Sydney set to take place at the conclusion of the 1997's Super League II, Robinson had had a change of heart and Wigan were able to negotiate his release from the ARL's contract so he could continue playing for his club. [18] He then scored a try for Great Britain in each of the three matches against Australia in the post-season Super League Test series.

In 1998, Robinson scored Wigan's only try in Super League's first ever Grand Final, which the Cherry & Whites won. As a result, he was awarded the Harry Sunderland Trophy as man-of-the-match. He was also named on the wing in the 1998 season's Super League Dream Team, and again in 1999 and 2000.

Robinson played at fullback in the Wigan Warriors' defeat by St. Helens in the 2000 Super League Grand Final. [19] Days after the match, it was announced that he had signed for the Zurich Premiership's Sale Sharks rugby union side, with Robinson citing the lack of anything left to prove in rugby league and the desire to represent England and Great Britain in the 15-man code. [20]

Rugby union

He made his début for Sale Sharks against Coventry in November 2000. In the 2005/6 season he became the first person to have won both the Guinness Premiership, and the Super League trophies.

England

Robinson made his England début as a substitute against Italy in February 2001, having played in the A match against Wales at Wrexham a fortnight earlier. In doing so he was only the second man ever to play rugby union for England after having first played Rugby League for Great Britain (the first having been Barrie-Jon Mather in 1999).

He scored 30 tries in 56 international matches, including a try in the 2003 World Cup Final against Australia. He played in all seven of England's World Cup games in 2003.

After Lawrence Dallaglio's international retirement in 2005, Jonny Wilkinson was initially appointed captain. However, Wilkinson was injured for the 2005 autumn internationals and Robinson was appointed captain. He was the 118th captain of England, the first mixed-race player and the first former professional rugby league footballer to captain England. In his first appearance as captain, he scored a hat-trick of tries in a 70–0 rout of Canada.

In the 2004 Six Nations, he scored three tries playing as a centre in the opening match against Italy and was named Man of the Match. Robinson chose to opt out of the 2004 summer tour to recover.

British & Irish Lions

Robinson was selected by the British & Irish Lions for their 2001 tour of Australia, and was one of the outstanding players in the side that won the first Test in Brisbane 29–13. In that game he sidestepped past Australian fullback Chris Latham. He went on to score another try in the last Test.

Robinson was again called up to the Lions' 2005 tour of New Zealand. He was excused from travelling with the bulk of the touring party to spend time with his wife, who was expecting the couple's fourth child in August. Throughout his career, he normally brought his wife and children along when he went on a tour, but her pregnancy made this impossible for the 2005 tour. He joined the team on 7 June, well in advance of the first New Zealand test on 25 June.

International retirement

Robinson playing for Sale Sharks towards the end of the 2005-2006 Guinness Premiership in which he led the club to their first Premiership title. Jason Robinson Sale vs Northampton.jpg
Robinson playing for Sale Sharks towards the end of the 2005–2006 Guinness Premiership in which he led the club to their first Premiership title.

On 24 September 2005, Robinson announced his retirement from international rugby union, stating that he wished to spend more time with his family. [21] In the 2005–2006 season, Robinson led his club Sale Sharks to their first ever Premiership title. [22]

Return

Robinson returned to the England set-up for the 2007 Six Nations tournament, following the decision of new head coach Brian Ashton to recall him to provide the leadership and winning quality the team had lacked in the past year, ending a 15-month absence from the international scene. [23] He scored two tries on his return in England's opening victory over Scotland. He also scored another try against the Italians the following week.

On 2 April 2007, Robinson announced he would retire from playing club rugby at the end of the 2006/07 season. He also announced he would participate, if required, in England's summer friendlies and the 2007 Rugby World Cup, before retiring completely from the sport. His last game for Sale Sharks came at home to Bath on Friday 13 April. Robinson said, "I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Sale Sharks but the time has come to move on to other things. I want my last game for Sale Sharks to be a home game (v Bath) and want to be able to say a big thank you to the supporters of this great club."

On 13 April 2007, Robinson ended his club career with a match-winning try 6 seconds from time as Sale edged past Bath in the Guinness Premiership. In the last play of the game, he received the ball 30 metres out and could not be stopped. He was then given the opportunity to convert the try, only to miss by a matter of inches past the left post.

Robinson training in 2007 Jason Robinson on the mend.jpg
Robinson training in 2007

On 14 September 2007, Robinson left the field to a standing ovation during England's defeat by South Africa, with a hamstring injury. This kept him out of England's remaining two group games, but he resumed full training in time to be available to play in the knock-out stages. In the quarter-final against Australia, Robinson returned to the side as full back and played his part in a tense 12–10 victory over the Wallabies. In the semi-final victory over France, his 50th cap, he was given the honour of leading out the England team. Robinson's last game for England came in the 2007 World Cup Final defeat by South Africa, when he was forced to leave the field during the second half, due to an injury. He was one of only four players to have started both the 2003 and 2007 Finals, the other three being Jonny Wilkinson, Ben Kay, and Phil Vickery.

Robinson was selected to play for the Barbarians at Twickenham on 1 December 2007, showing many of his trademark runs and received a standing ovation as he left the field for the last time in the 68th minute of the match.

Fylde

On 26 July 2010, Robinson came out of retirement at the age of 35 to play for National League 2 North side; Fylde. He announced his final retirement on 7 July 2011.

International tries

England

[24]

TryOpposing teamLocationVenueCompetitionDateResultScore
1Flag of Romania.svg  Romania London, England Twickenham Stadium 2001 Autumn Internationals 17 November 2001Win134 – 0
2
3
4
5Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland Edinburgh, Scotland Murrayfield Stadium 2002 Six Nations Championship 2 February 2002Win3 – 29
6
7Flag of France.svg  France Saint-Denis, France Stade de France 2002 Six Nations Championship 2 March 2002Loss20 – 15
8Flag of Italy.svg  Italy Rome, Italy Stadio Flaminio 2002 Six Nations Championship 7 April 2002Win9 – 45
9Flag of France.svg  France London, England Twickenham Stadium 2003 Six Nations Championship 15 February 2003Win25 – 17
10Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland London, England Twickenham Stadium 2003 Six Nations Championship 22 March 2003Win40 – 9
11
12Flag of France.svg  France London, England Twickenham Stadium 2003 Rugby World Cup warm-up matches 6 September 2003Win45 – 14
13Flag of Georgia (1990-2004).svg  Georgia Perth, Australia Subiaco Oval 2003 Rugby World Cup 12 October 2003Win84 – 6
14Flag of Uruguay.svg  Uruguay Brisbane, Australia Suncorp Stadium 2003 Rugby World Cup 2 November 2003Win111 – 13
15
16Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Sydney, Australia Stadium Australia 2003 Rugby World Cup Final 22 November 2003Win17 – 20
17Flag of Italy.svg  Italy Rome, Italy Stadio Flaminio 2004 Six Nations Championship 15 February 2004Win9 – 50
18
19
20Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada London, England Twickenham Stadium 2004 end-of-year rugby union internationals 13 November 2004Win70 – 0
21
22
23Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland London, England Twickenham Stadium 2007 Six Nations Championship 3 February 2007Win42 – 20
24
25Flag of Italy.svg  Italy London, England Twickenham Stadium 2007 Six Nations Championship 10 February 2007Win20 – 7
26Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg  Wales Cardiff, Wales Millennium Stadium 2007 Six Nations Championship 17 March 2007Loss27 – 18
27Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg  Wales London, England Twickenham Stadium 2007 Rugby World Cup warm-up matches 4 August 2007Win62 – 5
28Flag of the United States.svg  United States Lens, France Stade Félix Bollaert 2007 Rugby World Cup 8 September 2007Win28 – 10

British & Irish Lions

TryOpposing teamLocationVenueCompetitionDateResultScore
1Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Brisbane, Australia The Gabba 2001 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia 30 June 2001Win13 – 29
2Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Sydney, Australia Stadium Australia 2001 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia 14 July 2001Loss29 – 23

Coaching career

On 5 March 2008, the RFL announced that Robinson would be returning to rugby league in a coaching capacity at grass roots level from under 8s to open age, as a dual code ambassador for the sport in association with Gillette. [25]

On 25 February 2009 it was announced that Robinson would be re-joining Sale Sharks as the new head coach from the 2009–10 season. [26]

Awards

Already a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE), he was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2008 New Year Honours.

In March 2017, Robinson was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Lycamobile British Ethnic Diversity Sports Awards (BEDSAs) held at the London Hilton on Park Lane. [27] [28]

Personal life

He is of Scottish and Jamaican descent. [29] His father William Thorpe, a Jamaican living in Leeds, left his mother before Robinson's birth. Robinson and his two older brothers Bernard and George were raised by his mother and a step father. In 2003, he was reunited with his natural father again through his brother and sister. [30] Robinson is nicknamed 'Billy Whizz' after a character in the British comic The Beano , who is an extremely fast runner.

In 2012, his eldest son Lewis Tierney, who plays as a full back, signed a two-year deal with Wigan Warriors at age 18. [31] Tierney has declared himself for Scotland. Robinson has five other children including Patrick, a professional cyclist. [32]

After the 2003 Rugby World Cup, Robinson wrote an autobiography entitled Finding My Feet: My Autobiography published by Coronet Books. In it, he wrote about how he overcame issues from his childhood and bouts of drinking when he found success as a rugby league star. In 2005, a biography, The Real Jason Robinson, written with Robinson's full co-operation by Dave Swanton, was published by Empire Publications.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Martin Offiah</span> Great Britain and England international rugby league and union player and commentator

Martin Nwokocha Offiah MBE ; born 29 December 1965) is an English former professional rugby league and rugby union footballer who played in the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s. Offiah was inducted into the Rugby League Hall of Fame in 2013. He scored over 500 tries during his rugby league career, making him the third-highest try scorer of all time, and now features in a statue of great rugby league players outside Wembley Stadium.

Kristian John Radlinski MBE is an English former professional rugby league footballer who played mainly as a fullback. He played his entire professional career for his hometown club, Wigan Warriors, making over 300 appearances between 1993 and 2006, and also represented England and Great Britain at international level.

Apollo Perelini is a former dual-code international rugby union and rugby league footballer who played in the 1990s and 2000s, and has coached in the 2000s and 2010s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paul Deacon</span> English rugby player and coach (born 1979)

Paul Deacon is an English rugby union coach who is the head coach of the Sale Sharks in Premiership Rugby, and former a professional rugby league footballer and coach.

Robert Dennis "Bobbie" Goulding, also known by the nickname of "Bobbie Dazzler", is an English former professional rugby league footballer, and coach, who played in the 1980s, 1990s, 2000s and 2010s, and has coached in the 2000s and 2010s.

Darren Wright is an English professional rugby league and rugby union footballer who played as a wing or centre. He spent most of playing career with rugby league club Widnes, scoring over 100 tries for the club between 1985 and 1996, and also played briefly for Australian club North Sydney. He played at representative level for Great Britain, winning one cap during the 1988 Lions tour. In 1996, he switched to rugby union, playing for Sale and Orrell.

Gary John Connolly is a former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s as a fullback and centre for St Helens, Canterbury Bulldogs, Wigan Warriors, Leeds Rhinos and for the Great Britain national side. He also played rugby union for Harlequins, Orrell and Irish side Munster.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mick Cassidy</span> GB, England & Ireland international rugby league footballer

Michael Darren Cassidy is the Head of youth development of the Wigan Warriors and a former professional rugby league footballer. Cassidy had a wealth of experience with the dominant Wigan side of the early to mid-1990s. Cassidy is a Great Britain representative. Cassidy's position of choice was in the second-row, but he could also play as a prop or hooker. Cassidy has been labelled a utility player and has played wherever he has been needed.

Martin Hall is a former rugby league footballer and coach. During his playing career, Hall played hooker at Oldham, Rochdale Hornets, Wigan, Castleford, Halifax and Hull FC.

Chris Joynt is a former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1990s and 2000s. A Great Britain international representative prop, second-row and loose forward, he played his club football with St Helens, with whom he won numerous titles, as well as Oldham and a stint in Australia with the Newcastle Knights. He lifted many trophies throughout a glittering Knowsley Road career, including consecutive Super League championships in 1999 and 2000.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steve Prescott</span> England & Ireland international rugby league footballer

Stephen Prescott was a professional rugby league footballer who played as a fullback during the 1990s and 2000s.

Anthony Clive Sullivan is a Welsh former professional dual-code international rugby league and rugby union footballer who played in the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s. He played representative level rugby league (RL) for Great Britain and Wales, and at club level in the Championship for Hull Kingston Rovers, and in the Championship, and the Super League for St. Helens, as a wing, and representative level rugby union (RU) for Wales, and at club level for Cardiff RFC, as a wing. He is the son of Wales (RL) international Clive Sullivan.

Karle Hammond is an English former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1990s and 2000s. He played at representative level for Great Britain and Wales, and at club level for Widnes, and in the Super League for St. Helens, the London Broncos, the Salford City Reds, and the Halifax Blue Sox, as a stand-off, loose forward or centre.

Simon James Haughton is an English former professional rugby league and rugby union footballer who played as a second-row forward in the 1990s and 2000s. He played representative level rugby league for Great Britain and England, and at club level for the Wigan Warriors and Oldham RLFC, and club level rugby union for Orrell R.U.F.C..

Barrie-Jon Mather is an English former rugby league and rugby union player. A dual-code international player, he was the first Great Britain rugby league player to be capped by England at rugby union.

Neil Fraser Cowie is an English former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1990s and 2000s. He played at representative level for Great Britain and Wales, and at club level for Rochdale Hornets and Wigan Warriors, as a prop.

Vila Matautia is a Samoan former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1990s and 2000s. He was a Samoan international and played at the 1995 Rugby League World Cup. He also played with St Helens in the Super League, having championship and Challenge Cup Final success with them.

Stephen Hampson is a former rugby union and professional rugby league footballer who played as a fullback in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s, and coached rugby league in the 1990s, 2000s and 2010s.

Frano Michael Botica is a New Zealand-Croatian rugby union and rugby league coach and former player in both codes, who played in the 1980s and 1990s. He is the head coach of the Philippines sevens team.

Clash of the Codes was a special two match inter-code series between rugby union side Bath and rugby league side Wigan, played in May 1996. Other Clash of Codes games have also taken place.

References

  1. "Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org". rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  2. "England Statistics at englandrl.co.uk". englandrl.co.uk. 31 December 2017. Archived from the original on 30 March 2018. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  3. "Great Britain Statistics at englandrl.co.uk". englandrl.co.uk. 31 December 2017. Archived from the original on 30 March 2018. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  4. "England v South Africa". ESPN scrum. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
  5. Hadfield, Dave (30 October 1992). "Wigan must be wary of Broncos' enthusiasm and flair". The Independent . London, England: independent.co.uk. Retrieved 28 November 2010.
  6. "1992–1993 Lancashire Cup Final". wigan.rlfans.com. 31 December 2014. Archived from the original on 13 July 2018. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
  7. "23rd January 1993: Bradford 8 Wigan 15 (Regal Trophy Final)". wigan.rlfans.com. 31 December 2014. Archived from the original on 19 June 2018. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
  8. "28th January 1995: Warrington 10 Wigan 40 (Regal Trophy Final)". wigan.rlfans.com. 31 December 2014. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
  9. "13th January 1996: St Helens 16 Wigan 25 (Regal Trophy Final)". wigan.rlfans.com. 31 December 2014. Archived from the original on 7 October 2018. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
  10. "Wonderful Wigan: Jason Robinson". BBC Sport. UK: BBC. 27 February 2004. Retrieved 28 November 2010.
  11. Hadfield, Dave (12 October 1993). "Robinson wings in for Test début". The Independent. London, England: independent.co.uk. Retrieved 1 June 2010.
  12. Hadfield, Dave (28 April 1995). "£1.25m deal for Wigan's wing". The Independent . London, England: independent.co.uk. Retrieved 28 November 2010.
  13. Hadfield, Dave (1 May 1995). "Robinson's power is Wigan's glory". The Independent . London, England: independent.co.uk. Retrieved 28 November 2010.
  14. Dave Hadfield (9 May 1996). "Bath feel full force of Wigan might". The Independent. Retrieved 5 February 2021.
  15. Chris Hewett (26 May 1996). "The union empire strikes back". The Independent. Retrieved 5 February 2021.
  16. "Robinson, Jason". Bath Rugby Heritage. Retrieved 5 February 2021.
  17. Hadfield, Dave (12 July 1997). "Paris under pressure". The Independent . London, England: independent.co.uk. Retrieved 28 November 2010.
  18. Hadfield, Dave (1 November 1997). "Prodigal finds peace and new meaning in his play". The Independent . London, England: independent.co.uk. Retrieved 28 November 2010.
  19. "Grand final clockwatch". BBC Sport. UK: BBC. 14 October 2000. Retrieved 28 November 2010.
  20. "Sharks snap up Robinson at last". BBC Sport. UK: BBC. 17 October 2000. Retrieved 28 November 2010.
  21. "Rugby Union | English | Robinson to quit internationals". BBC Sport. London, England. 24 September 2005. Retrieved 13 November 2008.
  22. "Sale 45-20 Leicester". BBC. 27 May 2006. Retrieved 9 February 2014.
  23. "Rugby Union | English | England pick Wilkinson & Farrell". BBC Sport. London, England. 29 January 2007. Retrieved 13 November 2008.
  24. "Jason Thorpe Robinson". ESPN scrum. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
  25. "engage Super League- Robinson Takes on Coaching Role". Archived from the original on 8 February 2012.
  26. Bech, Duncan (25 February 2009). "Jason Robinson takes charge at Sale". The Independent. London, England. Retrieved 25 February 2009.
  27. Hinds, Rodney (23 March 2017). "British Ethnic Diversity Sports Awards honoured Sir Mo". Voice Online. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
  28. Trehan, Dev (7 May 2017). "BEDSA 2017 Highlights". Sporting Equals. Archived from the original on 1 April 2018. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
  29. "JASON ROBINSON". 6 January 2008. Archived from the original on 6 January 2008.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  30. "Jason Robinson: '36 years later, I've got "dad" in my phone book'". The Independent . 12 September 2010. Retrieved 20 October 2012.
  31. "Jason Robinson's son Lewis Tierney signs with Wigan Warriors". The Guardian . 20 October 2012. Retrieved 20 October 2012.
  32. "Points: Patrick Robinson", British Cycling
Sporting positions
Preceded by English National Rugby Union Captain
Nov 2004 – Feb 2005
Succeeded by
Preceded by English National Rugby Union Captain
May 2007
Succeeded by