Rugby: Crutches are a familiar prop for lineout coach Robinson

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

The most significant pre-season injury cloud for the Chiefs hangs over Keith Robinson.

The former lock, now lineout coach, was propped up by crutches this week with a serious-looking cast on his leg.

"I've got a dislocated ankle," a sheepish Robinson admitted. "A wee accident - motorbike versus car."

Being the one on the motorbike did not increase Robinson's chances of coming out on top, although there was a silver lining. "It could have been [worse]. It was a slow-speed accident and my foot got caught. I'm used to it. My life seems like one big injury."

It seems Robinson has become adept at playing down his injuries. The accident happened before Christmas, a long time for a cast to still be on a dislocation.

"Yeah, well, there's a fractured bone in there as well," he said. "It's going to take months to come right.

"It was actually a bit of a major, the way it dislocated." It hasn't stopped Robinson taking his place on the sidelines, running his eye over a lineout he knows will have to be on its game from the opening whistle.

With two matches to start in the Republic, against the Sharks and the Lions, he knows the South African sides will target opposition ball on the lineout.

"We're not re-inventing the wheel," Robinson said. "But we've got some stuff sorted where we're pretty sure we can deliver this backline some ball."