'Sharky' Robinson seizes chance to lead

By WYNNE GRAY

Identifying young rugby leaders has become a problem in New Zealand, but North Harbour have decided their impressive halfback Mark "Sharky" Robinson is the man to lead them into this season's NPC.

The 25-year-old will replace lock Troy Flavell whose commitments to national and Maori training squads are expected to remove him from a great deal of NPC duty.

Coach Wayne Shelford said that scenario forced a change and Robinson had shown enough leadership in the past few seasons to suggest he could lead any side.

"We have not got a lot of good leaders round his age, though Mark has come to the fore as we have tried to develop him, Troy and Ron Cribb in those roles," Shelford said.

"He could turn into a very good leader for New Zealand, where we are shy of that at the top level.

"Andrew Mehrtens and Justin Marshall may not be here for the next World Cup, we just don't know, and we hope Sharky will be around for Harbour, the Blues and New Zealand."

Robinson guided Harbour for the opening few games in the NPC last season until Flavell returned from his All Black work. But if Flavell retains his black jersey this winter he will miss about half of the NPC campaign.

"Mark has had a bit of a rough ride in the past three years, but I think he played very well for the Blues this year, though the inconsistent selections hurt him a bit," Shelford said.

"He will lead well, he has matured with all the turmoil in the past few years.

"He can call the right shots and he has got a lot of potential which has not been tapped yet.

"We can't afford to ignore the pivotal players for New Zealand - the hookers and halfbacks - who are the key areas of the game today."

Robinson has limited captaincy experience, with Whangarei Boys' High first XV and Harbour Colts, but is not a reluctant leader.

"It helps my game," he said. "It expands my ideas about tactics and matches, and I enjoy the job."