Premier rugby: Chapter two in family ties

Jason Robinson and son Ash have been regular teammates in the Tamatea premier rugby team this winter. Photo / File

It's another Robinson father-and-son show ... this time in the other oval ball code.

Former Hawke's Bay Magpies rugby winger Jason Robinson and son Ash made headlines in 2013 when they became the first father-and-son pair to play for Outkast Sports in a Hawke's Bay premier club rugby league grand final which their side won. This winter they have been regular teammates for Tamatea in Hawke's Bay's premier club rugby competition and tomorrow will start at centre and first five-eighth respectively when their team hosts Hawke's Bay Insurances Limited Napier Old Boys Marist in a fifth round Tui Maddison Trophy fixture at Bill Mathewson Park, Hastings.

"I know I'm only just hanging in there and it does take me a little bit longer to recover from the knocks," 37-year-old Jason said.

"I'm hoping to last another couple of seasons so I can play alongside another of my sons, Dennon, who is of similar size to me and plays centre or fullback at Hastings Boys' High School where he is in year 11," father-of-seven Jason explained.

The pair have played all 13 games together this season and Jason said he seems to grow an extra lung when he's backing his son up.

"I got to keep backing him up. His mother wouldn't forgive me if I didn't," Jason quipped.

"Most of the time Ash's service is pretty good but last weekend he threw me a beauty of a hospital pass. I had to smile when I heard him mutter sorry dad as I got up."

While the 2002 Magpie and former Hawke's Bay Unicorns rugby league rep who is in his 21st year of premier rugby agreed his team has improved since the start of the season he emphasised they have to go up another level if they are to register their first victory in 40 matches tomorrow.

"We haven't played to our full potential yet," he added.

Nineteen-year-old Ash is in his first year of premier rugby after two years in the Hastings Boys' High School 1st XV.

"It's a lot more physical and a bit slower than school rugby. It's mean to be playing with Dad," Ash said.

"We've improved every week ... we just have to improve our execution during the final 20 minutes."

A former New Zealand under-17 mixed touch team rep, Ash said he hasn't harboured any rep rugby aspirations as yet.

"I want to help Tamatea get some wins first before I worry about that," he added.

The Robinsons are the first father-son duo to play for Tamatea at premier level since Marewa Paranihi and his son Raumoa Timu played regularly together in the 2004 and 2005 seasons.

The visitors should win by at least 19 points. Unbeaten Progressive Meats Havelock North should maintain top-of-the-table status with a nine point win against Ansin & Monteith Hastings Rugby and Sports at Anderson Park.

In other matches, expect Carters Frame and Truss Taradale to beat Northfuels Central by 13 at Waipukurau, Tech Group of Companies Napier Technical to pip MAC by six at Flaxmere Park and Tanalised Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports to beat K9 Petfoods Clive by 11 at Tamatea Park.