England head coach Clive Woodward dangled the carrot of a Rugby World Cup final in front of Jason Robinson three years ago when he was trying to tempt him to make the switch from rugby league to union.
Tonight Robinson will see that dream become a reality when he runs out at Telstra Stadium to take on defending champions Australia, knowing that he and his team mates are only 80 minutes from lifting the coveted Webb Ellis Cup for the first time.
“He [Clive Woodward] mentioned various things, obviously international level was one of the main drawing cards … that was in 2000 … there is a lot of work that has gone in [since then],” Robinson said earlier this week.
“First I had to make the England team and become a regular member, thankfully I have done that and three years down the track I am here in what I feel to be the best team in the world and hopefully we will do ourselves proud on Saturday.
No bigger game
“This is why we play the game. There is no bigger game in world rugby in either code and I am just thankful I am able to experience it and looking forward to getting out there and hopefully making a big contribution.”
The former Great Britain rugby league international made his England debut in the Six Nations against Italy in February 2001 and has gone on to set the rugby world alight with some scintillating performances at wing or full back.
“I have never had any regrets about making the switch, I knew it was going to be the best move for me and here I am on the verge of a World Cup final, what better place to be,” Robinson insisted.
However Robinson, a star on the British Lions tour of Australia in 2001, is not the only former league man in the starting line ups and he has nothing but respect for the Australian back three of Lote Tuqiri, Wendell Sailor and Mat Rogers.
Ones to watch
“They have done tremendously well, they wouldn’t be where they were today if they hadn’t done because Australia have got so many great players,” said Robinson, who will win his 28th cap tonight.
“I know what they can do as well. I have seen them in league, I have played again them, I know the skills they have got and the problems they can cause, so we will have to keep a close eye on them this week.
“I know how dangerous they are with ball in hand. The only thing you can do is make sure that these boys don’t get too much ball and when they do you cut the time down and take them down early. But it is easier said that done.
“He [Sailor] is very good. He has been heavily criticised at times, but he is one of those players who can turn a game. He is fast, he is strong and certainly can cause a lot of problems.”
Counter attacking
What then does Robinson, who plays his club rugby for English Premiership club Sale Sharks, think that league players bring to the game of union?
“I think one of the strongest points is running the ball back,” Robinson said. “The counter attacking that has been shown by Australia’s back three has been awesome at times, especially last week, so we will certainly have to close them down.”
Robinson has also been able to transfer some of the skills that dazzled the rugby league crowds at Wigan for years into his new code.
“I think that attacking ability,” insisted Robinson, when questioned on the matter. “As I say many people have been saying that Wendell and Tuqiri and that lack in certain areas, but when you are as strong as they are in attack they don’t have to kick the ball.
Back yourself
“They can do things that many players can’t do. They are backing themselves in the areas they are strongest at and that is what I have done, I have just backed myself.
“I don’t claim to be the smartest, the fastest or whatever, I just back myself at what I do and as a result of that, because I am not out of the rugby union mould, sometimes I think differently.
“I know a lot of union players as well have started to believe in what they can do and as a result you see a lot more people attacking from deep and all that stuff. I think the attacking side is certainly the strongest area for me.”
Robinson will have no problems psyching himself up for this game, it is after all a Rugby World Cup final, but he knows it will not be easy to turn the defending champions Australians over on home soil.
No second best
“This is the biggest game we will ever play, if that is not a spur then nothing will get you up for these games,” he concluded. “And it is a game that we have put a lot of work into, we certainly haven’t come here to come second.
“We know it is going to take a massive effort, but we believe in what we have got and we believe we can do a job. It is a case of getting out there and getting into it.
“We have obviously got a good record over the last two years against Australia. We know how they play, we know we can beat them, but it is going to take a massive effort to do that.
“Last week they were awesome against New Zealand and they showed just how good they are. We know we can beat them, that is the main thing and we have just got to go into the game and concentrate on our performance and putting in a big one.”