Rugby: Young lock wants to keep improving each year

Southland halfback Liam Howley  bursts upfield against Otago Country in the South Island under-16...
Southland halfback Liam Howley bursts upfield against Otago Country in the South Island under-16 rugby tournament at the University Oval yesterday. He is pursued by Otago Country players (from left) Max Pennell and Tyler Cameron. Southland won 39-14. Photo by Linda Robertson.
Otago Country lock Shea Robertson has the potential to follow in the footsteps of great South Otago locks such as All Black Charlie Willocks and Richard Knight.

Knight played a record 170 games for Otago from 1981 until 1992 and Willocks was a member of Vic Cavanagh's great Otago Ranfurly Shield team in the late 1940s.

Robertson (16), in his second year with the Otago Country under-16 team, displayed the aggression that typified forwards from the country who have been the backbone of the great Otago teams.

He is a member of the Clutha club and was a member of the South Otago High School team that played in the Highlanders First XV competition this year.

Shea Robertson
Shea Robertson
Robertson's long-term goal is to play for the Otago ITM Cup team but he is keeping his feet firmly on the ground at the moment.

"I just want to keep on improving each year," he said.

Robertson tries to emulate the style of All Black lock Sam Whitelock and Highlander Jarrad Hoeata.

"I like Hoeata's aggressive style," he said. "He always tries to dominate his opponents."

Robertson's biggest inspiration comes from his father, Tony Robertson, who was a utility back in the Crescent club's senior team. His uncles, Barry and Wayne, also played senior rugby for the club.

Robertson was a member of the Otago Country team that won the third division of the South Island under-16 competition when it beat North Otago in the final at Greymouth last year.

Robertson has already represented Otago in schoolboy rugby in the under-65kg grade and had two years in the under-14 representative team.

He was one of the Otago Country players who came out of yesterday's game against Southland with credit. Southland won 39-14. The others were flanker Simon Lloyd, first five-eighth Jaden McLew and prop Henry Allen.

The Otago Country team in this grade is a stepping stone to higher honours. Eight members of this year's ITM Cup team played for the team in the past.

They are Lee Allen, Tony Ensor, Matthew Faddes, Paul Grant, Hayden Parker, Michael Collins, Jayden Spence and Scott Manson.

The strong Southland team outplayed Otago Country and scored six tries.

Two tries were scored by fullback Jason Bishop and the other players to impress were captain Shaun Stodart, at prop, and first five-eighth Shawn Henderson, who kicked three conversions and a penalty goal.

Add a Comment

OUTSTREAM