New Highlanders first five Taine Robinson was indeed named after club great Taine Randell.
"Dad was a big loosie, a tough rugby player back in the day for Nelson Bays, so he was around when Taine Randell was in his prime for the All Blacks and the Highlanders," Robinson said yesterday.
"He liked the name and that’s how I got it."
While he was named after a Highlander, Robinson never dreamed he would one day be playing for Randell’s team.
The proud Tasman Mako and Nelson College old boy had a couple of appearances off the bench for the Crusaders last year but there was no immediate sign of a Super Rugby contract in store for 2025.
He had a deal sorted to play in the United States — with the New England Free Jacks, who ironically have strong Highlanders connections — when he got a call from a Highlanders assistant coach.
"At the last minute, the opportunity came up here. I’d have been silly not to take it.
"Ben Smith rang me. He kind of planted the seed. With my agent, I worked some stuff out, and it all came to fruition.
"I had a rollercoaster of a year, and I was meant to be heading away, and all of a sudden I got a last-minute opportunity here.
"I’m very grateful to be down here and I’m loving my time so far and hoping to go really far with this team.
"It’s been a cool ride."
If this rugby gig had not panned out, Robinson did have another tool in his belt — literally.
The Collingwood native is a qualified builder, but ideally he will not be pursuing that career until a bit more rugby has been played.
Robinson, 24, has a link to Dunedin through his aunty and uncle, who own a mechanical business.
He has only played at Forsyth Barr Stadium once, though, and thinking about that almost makes him wince.
"I played here for Tasman a couple of years ago and had a bit of a tough game. My finger kept popping out and I kept having to strap it up.
"I think we might have just lost that game, too. So it’s a bit of a bad memory."
Happier memories are being made.
Robinson was something of a surprise choice to make his Highlanders and Super Rugby starting debut against the Waratahs in Sydney last week.
It ended in disappointment — the Highlanders played reasonably well but coughed up a late try to lose by a point — but the Tasman newcomer relished the occasion.
"I was definitely nervous.
"I just tried to focus on what I was doing, and focus on the team and my role at the time.
"That kind of got me through the game, and after the game it was just relief and pride.
"My family came over from Nelson at the last minute, and it was awesome to see them in the crowd."
Now it is time to face the Blues and be cheered on by the heaving Zoo on Saturday night.
Robinson, who went to school with Blues loose forward Anton Segner, might be a fresh face in Super Rugby but he is well aware the defending champions will be a handful.
"They just came off a loss so they’re going to be revved up this week and looking to bully us.
"They’re a great team and they’re going to bring a lot, so we need to be at our best to win this game."
Robinson has enjoyed a chance to learn from the best.
Former playmaker and coach Tony Brown is still hanging around the Highlanders, and the first five is taking every opportunity to soak up his knowledge.
"It’s been awesome. I’m lucky enough that he hangs round me at training and gives me tips here and there.
"Every time he says something to me and I apply it, it gives results. He’s a bit of a wizard."
