A better view for promoted Robinson

A week ago, Reece Robinson thought he would be playing club rugby for Coastal tomorrow, then watching Monday's New Zealand Maori-England match in New Plymouth from the grandstand.

All that changed when Maori captain Jono Gibbes was injured playing against Tonga on Monday.

Robinson was having a meal with Taranaki team-mate Tama Tuirirangi on Monday when he received a phone call telling him of his call-up to the Maori side.

"I knew I was on standby for the side, but didn't think I'd get the call because Jono's a loose forward and I'm a lock," he said. "I'm stoked to get another chance to play for the Maori."

The 25-year-old is no stranger to Maori rugby. He played a couple of warm-up games for the Maori side in 2000 and toured Argentina with them in 2001. He was also a member of the squad that played the Wallabies last year.

"When I missed the 22 [this year], my goal was to make the squad for Canada later in the year. To get called up now is a real bonus."



He has an appointment a day after the England match to have an operation for hernia problems.

"It was meant to have been today, but I've put if off until Tuesday."



The Maori team to play England will be named today.

* Talented flanker Mauro Bergamasco has withdrawn from Italy's squad to tour New Zealand this month. His place has gone to Tuta Vodo.

- NZPA