"The chatter is the big one. I didn't realise how important it was until I watched Billy Slater screaming at his teammates during a training session," Robinson said.
The Hastings Boys' High School Year 12 student, who made two appearances off the bench for his school's 1st XV rugby team last year, could have opted for any one of the clubs he visited but chose the Storm.
"Having Tohu there will make the move easier for me. Whanau is important," Robinson, one of seven children, said.
He believes becoming a regular starter in his school's 1st XV either at fullback or centre this year will enhance his chances of achieving his goals. Another item on his bucket list this winter is playing a premier game of rugby alongside his father, former Magpie and 37-year-old outside back Jason Robinson, a feat his older brother Ash ticked off last year.
"It's Dad's last year of premier rugby so it would be neat to do it," Robinson said.
He was coached by his father through the junior grades at Tamatea from fifth to 12th. During his final four years the team was unbeaten.
While he admitted to being a little disappointed the Hawke's Bay Rugby Academy's coaching staff haven't shown interest in him, he hasn't ruled out playing for the Magpies in the future.
"You never know what could happen later on. But following my dream and the career path Tohu took is the focus now and if things don't work out I will look at becoming a physio ... something sports-related."
He knows the theory side of sport and the off-field duties are just as important as high on-field standards. "I remember when I was at the Storm and I went to an indoor session conducted by their head coach Craig Bellamy. I was one of the first youngsters to pull out a pen and paper and Mr Bellamy said he was impressed with that."
He attended a July 2014 International Rugby Academy of New Zealand Intermediate Players course and coaches voted him as the player with the most potential. One of the coaches, former Hurricane Reuben Parkinson, said Robinson had all the attributes to be a player like Israel Folau.
Robinson first caught the attention of scouts outside of the province as a member of the Hastings Intermediate rugby league team which won the plate title at the 2012 AIMS tournament in Tauranga. Robinson gained tournament team selection at the event.
In 2013 he was a key member of the Hawke's Bay under-15 rugby league team. The following year Robinson scored the match-winning try in the final as Hastings Boys' High School won the national under-15 sevens title. He still regards that gold medal as the highlight of his sporting career. A nephew of former Magpie and world title-winning touch player Nui Bartlett, Robinson was a member of the Hawke's Bay Sevens training squad last year.
On the touch scene Robinson played for the Outkast Hawke's Bay team which won the Open Mixed title at the January Whakatane Open tournament.
He also played for the Te Matau a Maui side which won the national under-21 men's title at the national Maori tournament in November and the Hastings Boys' High School team which finished third at the national secondary schools tournament in December.
He is hoping to make the HBHS team for the March 19 and 20 secondary school regionals in Palmerston North. There's no doubt this youngster has the pedigree to follow a similar journey to his famous cousin.
It's only a matter of time and the question will be asked of Hawke's Bay rugby officials ... how was a player with this much potential let go?
