Being sidelined through injury is a frustrating scenario for any athlete, but getting to spend time helping out in his home town made things a bit more bearable for Tom Robertson on Sunday.
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The Dubbo Kangaroos junior and Wallabies prop, recovering from recent ankle surgery, was back out west with the NSW Country Eagles and still made an impact from the sideline during the 38-33 win over Sydney at Apex Oval.
The experience Robertson provided not only boosted the Eagles, but it was also hugely valuable for Dubbo Kangaroos junior sides he spent time with on Saturday morning.
He ran a clinic with the sides ahead of their grand finals this coming weekend while he also spent time with players and officials from the Western Plains Junior Rugby Union.
"It's great to get out here. I killed two birds with one stone and got to see all the family for first time in a few months and saw the Country Eagles get a win in a really good game," he said.
"It was good to help out the old club side and coach some kids who are in the same team I was."
While the experience was an enjoyable one for Robertson the past 12 months have been nothing but frustrating for the Waratahs front-rower.
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Robertson ruptured his ACL during Wallabies training in South Africa last October, but after some intense and diligent rehabilitation he returned to Super Rugby in May of this year.
He earned his Wallabies position back but another knock, this time an ankle injury which required more surgery, saw him miss out on selection in the Australian squad for the looming World Cup.
"My ligaments have gone to shit the last 12 months," Robertson said with a wry smile.
"It's been a bit frustrating but that's what happens in a contact sport. You roll with the injuries and I've been pretty lucky before that.
"I went about three years without an injury at all and it's been a rough couple 12 months but if I get myself right and there's an injury over in Japan hopefully I'll get on the flight.
"But now I'm just looking forward to getting back and winning a premiership with the Eagles."
Robertson knows what it takes to get to a National Rugby Championship grand final, having been part of the Eagles team which lost the 2016 decider to Perth Spirit.
With the plan being to be back playing before this season's NRC finals Robertson has got faith he'll return to a team fighting for top spot.
"There was some great footy out there today and if our forwards can fire then our backs can do what they want. It's up to us in the forwards to set that platform and then we'll be sweet," he said.
"I'm really confident and it's only one game in but it feels like a few years ago when we went to the grand final.
"It's got that feeling at the moment so hopefully we can get that roll on."
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Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
