Beau's Red fairytale turns to gold
The best redemption story in Australian sport this year just keeps getting better with barman Beau Robinson now eying a once inconceivable Wallabies jersey.
Workhorse flanker Robinson admitted himself his "fairytale" could not have been scripted any better on being chosen in a 40-man national rugby squad the morning after Queensland's Super Rugby triumph.
It was the icing on the cake for the Waratahs discard who packed his bags and drove himself north from Sydney just to train with the Reds late last year.
In a throwback to the amateur era, he had no contract and made ends meet by pulling beers at a hotel in flood-ravaged Ipswich.
Robinson now stands as the likely back-up No.7 to Wallabies ball scavenger David Pocock and is in the mix to make his Test debut on Sunday (July 17) against Samoa.
"It's quite humbling, it's been a fairytale comeback really - you couldn't have written a better script," Robinson said. "It's just been ridiculous this year.
"My goal simply at the start of the season was to get involved with the Reds and make the No.7 my own. I did that and did the best I can for the Reds and it worked out.
"We won the championship and you can't ask for anything more. To be named in the squad has just capped it off."
The selection was just as sweet for Reds coach Ewen McKenzie who invited Robinson to join his squad on the off chance he could fill the void left by All Black Daniel Braid.
"It was the last roll of the dice for me I reckon," Robinson said. "I was pretty close (to giving it away) but I backed myself and I'm glad I did."
McKenzie coached Robinson at NSW, when he was hemmed in behind Phil Waugh, but the Waratahs cut him once McKenzie was shown the door after their 2008 final finish.
Significantly, Waugh was a notable omission from the Wallabies squad as expected, sounding the death knell on his World Cup hopes.
Robinson was among 15 Reds, including fellow backrowers Radike Samo and Scott Higginbotham who aimed up wonderfully against Richie McCaw and the Crusaders pack.
There were few more applauded squad selections from within the Reds team as Robinson's rise inspired all his teammates on their journey to the 18-13 final victory.
"Ewen made a point of highlighting it earlier on in the season that Beau was someone who was thrown a lifeline and given an opportunity," halfback Will Genia said.
"He works harder than anyone in the side and he deserves all the accolades he gets."
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