Blow for Robinson in comeback game

By CHRIS RATTUE

Test lock Keith Robinson's comeback ended in disaster last night when he lasted just a few minutes in an NPC warm-up match, and he looks certain to miss the final Tri-Nations matches.

Robinson "blew" his right calf muscle after coming on at halftime for Waikato against North Harbour at East Coast Bays.

The workaholic lock has missed the Tri-Nations so far because of a back complaint and will probably be sidelined for the rest of the tournament.

Auckland lock Ali Williams looks set to hold his place in the test squad, which takes on Australia in Sydney next Saturday.

A disconsolate Robinson declined to comment. He was visited on the Waikato bench by All Black coach Graham Henry, who said the outlook did not look good.

Henry will speak to Robinson again this morning, but said the usual result of such injuries was three or four weeks on the sideline.

"I don't think anyone comes back from that sort of injury quicker than that," Henry said when asked if Robinson might have special powers of recovery.

The All Black coach refused to blame the puggy field for Robinson's injury, saying playing sport always held such dangers.

Robinson had powered through some physical training sessions for Waikato during the week and looked ready to return to the All Blacks, who sorely missed him in a physical confrontation with the Springboks in Christchurch.

It was a bizarre night at Windsor Park, where the game was held to herald the introduction of new lights at the East Coast Bays club's grounds. Just five minutes after Robinson's departure some of the lights failed and the game was called off, with North Harbour leading 15-12.

Robinson and Henry may well have wished that the lights had cut out a few minutes earlier.

Waikato lost midfield back Mark Ranby to a shoulder dislocation.