Tom Robertson

Rugby has many educated prop forwards and rugby has many cauliflower-eared prop forwards. Tom Robertson, a tough, tenacious, athletic and versatile front-rower is a genuine contender in both categories. The holder of a Master of Public Health and a Master of Philosophy (Medicine), Robertson also possesses an angry left ear that Paddy Ryan, Wallaby 866, unkindly referred to as "Little Tommy".

Born in the central west New South Wales town of Wellington, Robertson played his junior rugby for the Dubbo Kangaroos before he came to board in Sydney at the prolific Wallaby nursery that is St. Joseph’s College, Hunters Hill. After graduation the schools and aged representative enrolled in a medical science degree at the University of Sydney. He played for Sydney Stars in the inaugural 2014 season of the National Rugby Championship and in 2016 was offered a contract with New South Wales. That 2016 became a whirlwind for Robinson as he scored a try on debut for the Tahs against the Highlanders and within six months had played his maiden Test, against Argentina in Perth.

Over the following two seasons Robertson firmly established himself within the Wallabies’ match day squad before disaster struck in the 2018 Rugby Championship. Robertson ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during a non-contact training exercise ahead of the second Test against Argentina. He was ruled out for the rest of that year and did not return until after the World Cup in Japan.

Robertson described his 2021 move to the Western Force as being “like a breath of fresh air” as he strived to rekindle his international career. Robertson enjoyed a strong Super Rugby tournament however he missed selection for the home series against France. Keen to know why, Robinson called coach Dave Rennie and the advice he received proved invaluable. Rennie was happy with Robertson’s set-piece but wanted him to work on his “agility and getting more dynamic around the ball.” Robertson made his long-awaited return against South Africa in Brisbane and then in late 2022, played the final four matches of the Spring Tour - predominantly off the bench and at loose-head.

In 2023, Robertson was awarded a John Monash Scholarship to undertake a Master of International Health and Tropical Medicine at Oxford University.

Highlights

2012 Represented Australian Schools against Fijian Schools, Samoan Schools and New Zealand Schools.

2014 Selected in the Australian U20s squad to the seventh-annual IRB Junior World Championship tournament in New Zealand.

2016 Robertson won his first Test cap off the bench when he replaced Sekope Kepu at tight head prop in the 1st Test, 36-20 victory over Argentina in Perth. He earned a further six caps, all as a replacement, over the remaining eight internationals of the year.

2017 Robertson was selected in the run-on XV for the first time when chosen at tight head prop for the one-off 37-14 victory over Fiji in Melbourne. He won a further 10 caps over the course of the year however just one, against Scotland in Sydney, was not from the bench.

2018 He earned a total of six caps including his third as a starter - the 13-38 loss to New Zealand in Sydney - before an ACL injury and subsequent surgery brought the year to a premature close.

2021 Robertson played three Tests in 2021, two as a replacement tighthead - against South Africa at Suncorp and Argentina in Townsville – and one at loosehead, vs. England at Twickenham.

2022 He was capped in four of the five Spring Tour internationals and scored his first Test try against Italy in Florence.