After all, five rounds into the season and all he had to show for it was a couple of appearances off the bench.
The last thing he expected was to hear his name called out.
But he got a pleasant surprise when coach Glenn Moore pencilled in the blond 20-year-old Southlander to start his first match for the Highlanders, and at the pivotal first five-eighth position.
"It was pretty hard to keep the smile off my face.
"It was a surprise. A big surprise," Robinson said.
Robinson came on last week in the final 15 minutes to replace first five-eighth Mathew Berquist in the 50-35 loss to the Bulls, and must have done enough to convince Moore to take a punt on the youngster.
"He [Moore] told me earlier in the week he was happy with how I went on against the Bulls. But it was a real surprise to get the call-up."
Robinson, who can also play fullback, said he just wanted to play his natural game and help the team put together a complete performance.
"Though I've only had limited minutes so far, what I have noticed is the Super 14 is a lot quicker. There is far less time to make a decision."
His decisions will have a big impact on whether the Highlanders chalk up a win back on their home ground tomorrow night.
He said playing alongside experienced captain Jimmy Cowan would be a big help.
He will have to manage without family support as his father is on the West Coast and his mother has a family engagement and cannot attend the match either.
Moore said Robinson had been considered for selection over the past few weeks and had impressed when he came off the bench.
He said Robinson's relative youth would not hold him back, and he had no fears of putting a 20-year-old into the critical position of first five-eighth.
"He is a talented player who has played in an under-20 World Cup final and played in a Ranfurly Shield winning side.
"We know he has got big match experience," Moore said.
"He does provide a point of difference."
Robinson is one of nine changes to the starting team which lost 50-35 to the Bulls in Pretoria last week.
Michael Hobbs comes back into the team at second five-eight, replacing Jason Shoemark.
James Paterson gets a start ahead of Fetu'u Vainikolo on the left wing.
Halfback Jimmy Cowan returns to the side after a week out because of a dislocated finger.
In the forwards, Adam Thomson returns at No 8 for Steven Setephano and John Hardie gets the start on the blindside flank ahead of Tim Boys.
All Black lock Tim Donnelly has an ankle injury and has been replaced by Hayden Triggs. It is Triggs' first start of the season.
In the front row, Clint Newland and Jason Rutledge come into the side in place of Chris King and Jason Macdonald respectively.
Fullback Israel Dagg will start off as goalkicker, with Robinson as his back-up.
The loose forward reserve has yet to be decided, with either Boys or Setephano set to go on the bench. The weather tomorrow will dictate which player is selected.
The side will be desperate for a win.
Though it is still early days to look at the competition ladder, the Highlanders are 11th and need to start making some progress up the ladder.
The Sharks are sitting one place below them and have yet to land a win.
But the side from Durban has been close in four of its five game so far and must wonder if luck will finally fall its way after a couple of contentious decisions against it.
HIGHLANDERS v SHARKS
Tomorrow, 7.35pm, Carisbrook
Highlanders: Israel Dagg, Ben Smith, Kendrick Lynn, Michael Hobbs, James Paterson, Robbie Robinson, Jimmy Cowan (captain), Adam Thomson, Alando Soakai, John Hardie, Hayden Triggs, Josh Bekhuis, Clint Newland, Jason Rutledge, Jamie Mackintosh.
Reserves: Jason Macdonald, Chris King, Joe Tuineau, Tim Boys or Steven Setephano, Sean Romans, Jayden Hayward, Fetu'u Vainikolo
