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Subscribe to RSS FeedRobinson holds back the tears
A sad end to a fine career for Jason Robinson
Retiring England full-back Jason Robinson admitted he was on the verge of tears as his career came to a premature end in the Rugby World Cup final on Saturday.
Robinson was forced off the field of play in the second half with a shoulder injury and had to watch the remaining passages of play from the bench as England went down to a 15-6 defeat.
"I had not foreseen my career ending in such desolation," he said in his Mail on Sunday column.
"I am not a man given to self-pity, but I felt like crying as I walked off the field in agony from the shooting pain through my right shoulder. It was the loneliest walk I can remember."
Having switched to union from rugby league, where he was one of the game's greats, the 51-times capped Robinson said the rousing ovation he received as he walked off could not ease the pain.
"Nothing could wipe out that disappointment," he said.
"After the euphoria of four years ago, this was a hard defeat to take. Ultimately we know we came up one match short.
"None of the important decisions went our way, but I have to say this is a very good South African team."
England defied the odds to make it to the final, and the former Sale man was quick to hand out the praise to his team-mates for their efforts.
"We came to France rubbished by everyone and his dog and were hammered 36-0 by South Africa in a pool game," he said.
"It's one thing to be beaten, it's humiliating to be 'nilled'.
"The squad is overloaded with experience, the commodity you can't buy. Everywhere around the team room you could see men you were proud to go into battle with."
Robinson was only talked out of international retirement in January by coach Brian Ashton, but this time he says there will be no going back.
"The guys have been giving me stick about retiring but I'll have the last laugh when the temperature has fallen below freezing and the grounds are like concrete," he said.
"I'll text them to tell them I'm sat in my slippers in front of a big fire, dipping a biscuit in my tea."
Sadly for Robinson, his career could not quite end in the fairytale manner.
"I would have said I was walking away from the game without any regrets - until last night," he said.
