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'I'm still a big believer that we can make the finals'
By Online Editors
Miletsone man Tom Robertson believes in miracles and maintains the NSW Waratahs can still make the Super Rugby finals.
Robertson, who notches his 50th game for NSW in Friday night's grudge match with the Rebels in Melbourne, has done the maths and insists there's still hope.
It's certainly slim, though, with the Waratahs trailing the Australian conference leaders the Brumbies by eight competition points and the Rebels by seven with just three regular rounds remaining.
Hence Robertson only plans to celebrate with victory when he chalks his Super Rugby half century at AAMI Park.
"One hundred per cent I'd still back (us)," the Wallabies loosehead said when asked if the Tahs could yet top the Australian conference for the second year running.
"The two teams above us in the ladder, we play them. So if we get two wins or two bonus-point wins and it sort of soaks them of four of five points, yeah we're definitely still in the hunt.
"So it'll be a big last three games. We'll definitely have to do the job in all three but I'm still a big believer that we can make the finals."
Robertson is only three games into his comeback from a knee reconstruction after being injured before a Wallabies Test in Buenos Aires last October.
The upside of the front-rower's six-month layoff is he hopes to be peaking as the World Cup starts in September, if selected by Wallabies coach Michael Cheika.
"I'm just hoping to keep building and get better and better because I know it's not like I'm going to come back and play my best (straight away)," he said.
"But I've just got to keep getting better and better as the year goes on."
Longer term, the versatile 24-year-old said he'd be happy to try to fill the boots of of veteran tighthead Sekope Kepu, who is heading to the English Premiership after the World Cup.
Kepu last year became the first Australian prop to play 100 Tests and will be a huge loss for the Waratahs and Wallabies when he heads to London Irish.
"I'm happy to step up into tighthead or whatever the team needs really," Robertson said.
"I've made my debut for the Waratahs and the Wallabies at tighthead so that's something I'm definitely comfortable with and whatever the team needs.
"With World Cup this year, I'm happy to play either side to get (to Japan). It doesn't really bother me to be honest."
- AAP
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Latest Comments
The New Zealand performance in the return fixture in 2016 was filthy. A lot of Irish supporters were pretty shocked by it, viewed it as de facto cheating just to avoid another defeat.
Also shocked by the abuse to Ireland, captain, vice-captain and spectators after the full time whistle in Paris defeat, last match.
Sledging is sledging, but that happens during the game and targetting spectators should be completely out of bounds.
The Irish public used to enjoy these matches, even in defeat. Now they are necessary but unpleasant, because NZ apparently cannot accept or respect successful challengers.
Go to commentsThanks for the analysis Nick, thought provoking as usual. Couple of queries though, in the pic where you've circled Williams bind , I'm pretty sure it shows Stuart's knee on the ground, surely that's a NZ penalty? Also having had the chance to watch it again the All Black scrum seeems to improve after halftime, but before either England or the All Blacks replace their props. Not sure if that was the result of Tuipolutu coming on or some halftime tips. Either way this is only Williams second international season, so he'll be better for the experience.
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