Rugby: Robinson relegated to couch

Robbie Robinson.

Robbie Robinson's day usually goes something like this: Go to Chiefs HQ at Ruakura, do a weights session, go home and sit on the couch.

A hip problem which he has managed for the past two years and which flared up painfully after he returned from the New Zealand Maori tour of North America in November has him on restricted duties and the frustrating thing for the outside back is that he doesn't know when it will end.

"No one really knows how long it is going to take which is frustrating for a rugby player," he said.

"Normally you get injured and you can say you'll be back in three, four, six weeks or a couple of months.

"I've seen specialists and I've got a surgeon who has sent my scans to a few of his mates around the world.

"I'm on minimal duties. I go in and do a weights session then go home and sit on the couch for the rest of the day. I'm finding myself getting really bored at the moment, which is not a good thing."

The 24-year-old, who moved to the Chiefs for the 2012 season after two years at the Highlanders, has had a history of groin problems and thinks the hip issue is related. He feels pain just by walking or standing for too long, so it's fair to say there is a big question mark over 2014 and even beyond for him. He didn't respond to surgery at the start of last year.

Last year he played 10 games for the Chiefs as they won their second title. Opta statistics reveal his worth on the counter-attack, his 6.65m average gain with the ball is the fifth best among the squad.