Call-up for potential All Blacks bolter Tom Robinson thwarted by injury

Blues flanker Tom Robinson has been denied a meteoric call-up to the All Blacks by a knee injury which will require surgery and could see him sidelined for up to six months, according to the New Zealand Herald.

Robinson was a standout for the Blues in a disappointing Super Rugby campaign, with the side finishing in 13th place to miss out on a play-off spot for the eighth season running.

The 24-year-old's performances in his debut Super Rugby season were so good that many tipped him to earn a call-up to the national side, but a torn meniscus in training means the Northland native will go under the knife in Auckland today.

While Robinson can take solace out of the fact that this is not an anterior cruciate ligament injury, it adds to a growing history of recurring knee injuries that he has suffered in recent years.

Two seasons ago, he needed reconstruction surgery on both knees, which included titanium inserts, setting his career back with a lengthy spell in the injury ward.

This time, Robinson can expect to be out of action for anywhere between two and six months, depending on the surgeon's verdict, meaning he will be firmly focused on returning to the field with Northland in the Mitre 10 Cup, or during the Blues' pre-season ahead of the 2020 Super Rugby campaign.

Robinson became a core member of the Blues' loose forward trio throughout 2019, partnering well with No. 8 Akira Ioane, and openside flanker duo Blake Gibson and Dalton Papali'i.

Able to cover lock, the son of former All Blacks second rower Alastair Robinson claimed Fans' Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year accolades at the Blues' end-of-season awards held recently.

His efforts this season were rewarded in April, when he was one of seven players to re-sign with the Blues on multi-year deals, with Robinson extending his contract through until the end of the 2021 season.

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