Forgiving Robinson set for tough Test

WHEN Jason Robinson last left the field against South Africa he would not hear a word said against the Springboks.

That is mainly because he could hardly hear anything whatsoever having been kicked in the head while standing up a blow which was a gauge of the Springbok wildness on that shameful November day 12 months ago at Twickenham which left Robinson with a perforated ear drum.

True to his Born-Again Christian beliefs, however, Robinson was swift to forgive the malicious tactics of Corne Krige's side, instead feeling nothing but sorrow for the rugby nation which tomorrow fronts up against England in the World Cup's first true heavyweight head to head.

It is a sorrow which will not be taken onto the field when England could do with a bit of that dazzling footwork which makes Robinson the most elusive runner in world rugby but then neither does Robinson believe that the Springboks could dishonour their heritage again on the biggest stage in the game.

"A lot has been said about the last game we played," said Robinson. "But that game's going to mean nothing come Saturday.

"The hardest thing was not forgiving them that day. I was just so disappointed for them, because although I don't know much about South African history I know they are a passionate rugby-playing nation.

"For them to come out and play those tactics was just desperately sad. The game's tough enough as it is played in the way it should be which is very hard, but when those things happen it's disappointing.

"But we don't expect that at all in this game. Yes, it's going to be very physical. We're certainly going to be tested in defence mentally and physically and that's the way it should be. But we're looking forward to the game and are sure the referee will sort anything else out.

"Discipline is the key. In these big games you can't afford to give away penalties. That's why they won't be daft enough to go out and play the same way. We believe that is our advantage. We're a very disciplined team. We know teams have got great kickers and we know we can be punished by ill-discipline."

Calm, composed, courtesy epitomised, Robinson has come a long, long way from his hell-raising days as a drinker and night-clubber while a teenager at Wigan rugby league club. His recent autobiography chronicles the depths to which he sank.

"Internationally this is as big as it gets," he says. At the moment I don't think I truly realise just how big this is. We are sheltered from a lot of things.

"I don't read the newspapers but I do know everybody is expecting a lot from this game alone. It doesn't seem long ago that I could never have dreamed of being here in rugby union, let alone at a World Cup. The reason I left rugby league was because I felt I'd done everything I could achieve.

"Rugby union has given me a lot of new challenges and now I'm involved in the biggest event there ever has been in the sport."

Springboks coach Rudolph Straeuli's line-up includes just two survivors from that autumn afternoon in south-west London skipper Corne Krige and his back-row partner Joe van Niekerk.

England will be at full strength for the Pool C showdown, with Matt Dawson, Kyran Bracken, Mike Tindall and Richard Hill among those to have shrugged off knocks.