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Robinson is Cardiff`s club man

Wednesday 02nd July 2008

Back in the day: Robinson has stuck with Cardiff through thick and thin

As Cardiff Blues stalwart Jamie Robinson launched his testimonial year he did so with fond memories of the lessons he has learnt from the game.

Robinson has come through a lot at Cardiff, with whom he began his career long before the advent of regional rugby, and is the better for it.

What makes Robinson different from others is his loyalty and attitude to his rugby. His career has had its fair share of highs and lows, not to mention several injury setbacks, but Robinson has emerged from it all the same person he always has been.

Such are Robinson's ways and beliefs that many liken him to previous Welsh greats such as Cliff Morgan, Gareth Edwards and Terry Holmes.

As he now enters his tenth year with Cardiff he remains a beacon to supports, for both his rugby skills - 23 caps for Wales are testament to that - and his love for the club and city he lives and plays for.

There are those who feel had the 28-year-old not been so laid-back he could have gone on to win more Wales caps, and maybe even higher honours.

Yet when he looks back on his career he can do so in the knowledge that when things got tough he always stuck by Cardiff, and they in turn always stuck by him.

"We had a great side when I joined," Robinson reflected to The Western Mail.

"We had the likes of Mike Hall and players likes Rob Howley and Neil Jenkins had joined and we had a fantastic pack.

"I am sure that first team that I was really lucky to be a part of would have won the European Cup.

"Then, all of a sudden, everybody left. Any side is going to miss the likes of John Humphreys, Neil Jenkins, Rob Howley, Gareth Thomas, Greg Kacala and Emyr Lewis.

"We were left with a young side and the back-line was full of young kids, like myself, trying to find their feet.

"We had players like Andrew Henry, Graham Henry's son, playing on the wing."

When Robinson compares what it was like now, as opposed to then, he admits he probably wouldn't have made it to the top in the current Blues set-up.

"When I started playing things just happened for you, now you have to make things happen," said Robinson.

"That is the biggest difference as a professional player, you cannot just survive, you have to have something to offer.

"When I started, you had so many teams in Wales and could have made a decent living at any of those clubs. That sucked the life out of Welsh rugby and it had to change.

"Regional rugby had to happen and we have started to see the benefits of it. I know some people may not like it, but the standard of rugby is of a much superior quality compared to when I started."

So what made Robinson stay at the Arms Park? After all he had big-money offers to head across the bridge and play in England, as well as Castres in France chasing him.

"I have had chances to go and when you stay, you usually stay for less money," said Robinson.

"I can remember, when I was about to have my major knee operation, I was out of contract and they could have thrown me on the scrapheap, but they stood by me - that meant a lot.

"I have thought about leaving, but when you have been through the bad times, you want to see it through to the good times.

"Now we have a new ground in the pipeline and you want to be a part of that."

At just 28 Robinson should still be around to play at the new stadium, but if for some reason he isn't you can bet your bottom dollar he will be in the stands supporting the team and city he so dearly loves.