England's Jason Robinson attends a team training session in Marseille. Photo / Reuters
MARSEILLE - England fullback Jason Robinson has made a speedy return from injury to earn a surprise recall for Saturday's rugy World Cup quarterfinal against Australia.
Robinson's brilliant career seemed to be over three weeks ago when he limped off the field with a torn hamstring in England's
36-0 loss to South Africa during the pool stages.
The 33-year-old retired from international rugby two years ago but agreed to make a comeback for the World Cup so knows that every game now could be his last.
"You never know when your last game is but for me that could be any game so it's a case of every time you go out there you give it your best shot," he said.
"When I came off against South Africa I really didn't think that that was going to be my last game.
"I don't know if I was just being really optimistic or not but thankfully I'll be back out there on Saturday."
Robinson's reputation as one of England's finest players is already assured regardless of whether they win Saturday's match or not.
A former rugby league international, Robinson has been one of a rare breed of players who have succeeded in both codes. He scored England's try in the 2003 World Cup final win over Australia and later captained his country.
Robinson was England's best player against South Africa and his return is an enormous boost to the team's chances of an upset win.
The Wallabies are favourites to win the match but Robinson said the prospect of upsetting the Australians was all the motivation the team needed to improve.
"It's a massive game. We know once again we have to raise the bar but it's a great challenge, Australia are a very good team," he said.
"They've got a very good record and we've really got to get our game right in order to beat them. It's as simple as that.
"It's a quarterfinal, but it's a one-off game and I believe in the team we've got.
"There's a hunger there, there's a belief there, and we know if we don't raise the bar we'll get beaten."
- REUTERS
