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Wallaby prop Robertson signs new deal with unique clause

29 May 2023

(Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

Tom Robertson will not let sport end his educational dreams, with the Wallabies prop negotiating a study sabbatical into his new Rugby Australia contract.

Robertson has committed to the Wallabies and the Western Force until 2025 but will not be with either for parts of 2024, instead heading to Oxford University in England where he will study a Master of Public Policy.

The 113kg, 31-cap Wallaby enforcer might not look like a bookworm but his qualifications suggest otherwise.

The 28-year-old already boasts a Bachelor of Medical Science, a Master of Public Health and a Master of Philosophy-Medicine, and will undertake his next degree via a John Monash Scholarship.

Robertson thanked the organisations for allowing him to pursue his studies while still playing, adding “it’s not every day people come together and allow you to miss half a year of rugby“.

“It’s been a dream of mine to go to Oxford for a while now to study,” he said.

“It’s really exciting, and I am incredibly appreciative to the Monash Foundation and Dr Brett Robinson for helping fund this opportunity.

“At Oxford, I will start a Master of Public Policy … this is about how to try and get governments to give the medical system more money, especially where I’m from in Dubbo.

“From a rugby perspective, studying has helped my career. Having something off-field has been really helpful and important to me.

“Having something to strive towards after your career is definitely important, and not only is it good for my mental health it helps with rugby as well.”

Robertson tore his anterior cruciate ligament playing for the Force in round 13, and is now set to return to the field for the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season where he will push for Wallabies selection for the British and Irish Lions series.

Wallabies coach Eddie Jones said he hoped Robertson would return from injury in the same form he showed this campaign.

“Tom is an experienced Test player,” Jones said.

“His ability to play both sides of the scrum is highly valuable and we wish him all the best for a quick and successful recovery.”

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Would have been awesome to have a Bledisloe ANZAC game.

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Spew_81 1 hour ago

Hurricanes vs Waratahs takes: The yellow wall in midfield, Tahs backs outshined

Love should get some time at 10. He’s clearly got the ability to be a second playmaker, but primarily at 15. Some time at 10, even just standing at first receiver, will only help his playmaking skills. He set up two tries with good distribution.

He kicks goals well. He could be a second B Barrett. But keep his main position at 15.

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SG 1 hour ago

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England have absolutely no need for him. Tom Willis and Ben Earl are better with a much higher work rate.

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Andrew Nichols 2 hours ago

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Gloucester are in the market for a top-class replacement ..Well why would they then be talking to HS?

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Utiku Old Boy 2 hours ago

All Black's England switch hanging by a thread

I include Cunningham-South. He was born in England but moved to NZ at 4 yrs and learnt his rugby there. His dad was a schoolboy coach. In recent years, Teimana Harrison was - as was Brad Shields.

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GB 2 hours ago

All Black's England switch hanging by a thread

Cunningham-South was born in the UK but raised in NZ.

Makes a good point, wouldn't walk into the English set up.

Better to roll his sleeves up and play himself into the ABs

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Spew_81 2 hours ago

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Not sure what the ethical issue is. If it’s going for the money, it’s either do that or NZ rugby slowly dies as all the better players leave. So it’s the more lesser of two evils. Sell out a bit more as a Union, or the players sell out one by one.

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Spew_81 2 hours ago

Rugby down under could have hit high gear with Anzac Tests

Yes, the team was similar. But the two locks made a huge difference. Kaino wasn’t a lock and Tuipolutu has only very recently started playing close to his potential (his work rate was terrible until recently).

The Irish lineout maul wouldn’t have been the weapon it was on that day if Hansen started Whitelock and Retallick (or even two proper locks). Though they wouldn’t have been guaranteed to win.

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Still if the All Blacks did their normal haka they wouldn’t have been guaranteed to win.

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Koro Teeps 2 hours ago

All Black's England switch hanging by a thread

Absolutely no certainty he would make the current English squad. He’s not in the All Black conversation either. Physical, explosive player with ball in hand but sometimes struggles to impose himself fully on all aspects of the game.

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DC 3 hours ago

All Black's England switch hanging by a thread

Who are the Kiwis (plural)? The only one I can think of is Ethan Root.

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Gradier Walter 4 hours ago

Don't get out over your skis on the Highlanders