Robinson confirmed as assistant coach

Former Wairarapa-Bush rugby skipper Mike Robinson has been confirmed as assistant coach of the union's Heartland championship side for the 2008 season.
Robinson made 71 appearances in the Wairarapa-Bush jersey and led them to victory in the grand final of the NPC third division competition in 2005.
And he was also a key member of the Wairarapa-Bush side which won the premier section, the Meads Cup, when the Heartland championship was inaugurated in2006.
Robinson's appointment as assistant coach came on the recommendation of former Samoan international Earl Va'a after Va'a himself had been contracted as head coach of Wairarapa-Bush for the next two seasons.
Va'a and Robinson have been good friends since they played together in the St Bernard's College first XV and have crossed paths on the coaching field in the Wellington senor competition, with Va'a filling that role for Wainuiomata and Robinson for Upper Hutt.
For Va'a the decision to recommend Robinson as assistant coach was easily made. He said he wanted someone in that position who had a good understanding of Wairarapa-Bush rugby and "Robbo" was a standout in that respect.
"Mike is still as passionate about Wairarapa-Bush as he ever was, he thoroughly enjoyed his playing days there and he's delighted to have the chance to give something back from a coaching perspective," Va'a told the Times-Age. "I think I am very lucky to have someone of his calibre working alongside me & and I am sure Wairarapa-Bush rugby people will think the same way."
An outstanding utility forward who repped for Wairarapa-Bush at No.8, flanker and lock, Robinson was a no-nonsense player who enjoyed nothing better than a rugged physical confrontation and, not surprisingly, Va'a intends to have him concentrate mainly on ensuring the Wairarapa-Bush forwards have similar work ethics in the coming season.
"It's easier to be competitive in any form of rugby if the forwards dominate possession and that's where Mike's focus will lie," Va'a said.
Next Tuesday will see both Va'a and Robinson in Masterton to meet with union officials and discuss their planning for 2008 and they will also probably then select a squad of players who will be part of a "meet and greet" function scheduled for Sunday, February 10.
Va'a said members of last year's Wairarapa-Bush squad would be among the invitees there along with others who were considered to have the potential to play at Heartland championship level within the next season or two. They would be aided there by conversations had with the coaching staffs of last season's senior B and colts teams.