His new nickname is ‘Doc’, but debutant prop Tom Robertson isn’t quite ready to patch up his Wallabies teammates just yet.
Robertson will make his Test debut on Saturday night after being named on the bench for the Rugby Championship showdown with Argentina in Perth.
It’s been a meteoric rise for the 22-year-old, who was a standout performer for the NSW Waratahs in his Super Rugby debut season this year.
Robertson is also studying medicine, with the 107kg powerhouse in the first year of his four-year post-grad degree.
Wallabies scrumhalf Nick Phipps has already dubbed Robertson the ‘Doc’.
But when lock Adam Coleman split open his lip in last week’s 23-17 win over South Africa, Robertson wasn’t putting his hand up to fix him up.
“He asked me whether I wanted to stitch it up,” Robertson said.
“I said the only stitches I’d done was on a pig carcass, so it probably wasn’t going to be as good as (what he ended up having done).”
As for fixing his own injuries?
“I dislocated my finger the other day, and it hurt, so I definitely wasn’t going to do it myself,” Robertson laughed.
Juggling rugby and study hasn’t been easy for Robertson.
His studies take up between 30-40 hours per week.
And if his rugby commitments continue to grow, something might have to give.
But for now, he’s found the answer to fitting in both of his passions.
“Instead of watching Netflix after training, I go back and study,” Robertson said.
“I’m not super smart, so I have to study for it.”
Wallabies coach Michael Cheika was full of praise for Robertson, and feels the emerging star is ready for the big stage.
“He just takes it in his stride,” Cheika said.
“I often find him sitting down with the headphones on doing his medical stuff after training.
“That’s a good chance to talk to him, because he’s always looking to get out of studying.
“It is early for him (to get a Wallabies call-up). But I think the time is right.”
Internal Fixation
Guest
Fairly sure Stephen Moore was a medical student. Not sure if he finished though.
Mark Richmond
Roar Guru
I remember that back in the 1980s, England had a front row consisting of 2 solicitors and a barrister
Lion Down Under
Guest
JPR Williams still is a surgeon. And was playing rugby well into his sixties, in fact he probably isn't fully retired now.
PiratesRugby
Guest
Brian Lima? Chiropractor.
This is serious Mumm
Guest
Very funny Rebel!!
rebel
Guest
Earle Kirton NZ Dentist. JPR Williams Wales Orthopaedic surgeon Gwyn Jones Wales Doctor Felipe Contepomi Arg Doctor In the legal fraternity. Taine Randell NZ Law and Commerce Victor Vito NZ Law Alun Wyn Jones Law
Brett McKay
Expert
Throw Pat McCabe into the Law XV then...
The OG AlBo
Roar Guru
Has to be done.
The OG AlBo
Roar Guru
Maybe the Doctors of the Doctors team are regular players. Brian Lima - chiropractor Dylan Hartley - Eye specialist Richard Loe - Plastic Surgeon (specialising in Rhinoplasty) Hopoate (played a game of club rugby)- Proctologist Michael Chieka - Physio (loves a good spray) John Eales - Team Psychologist
rebel
Guest
Victor Vito also studied law which he hopes to do when he retires from rugby.
TH McProp
Guest
Front rowers are collectively known as the Adoni. Known for our good looks and intelligence. And modesty.
jeznez
Roar Guru
He has a law background
rebel
Guest
Lawyer mate, looks like we'll end up with a virtual doctor v lawyer match.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Uli Schmidt
rebel
Guest
Brian Lima is a Chiropractor
Old Bugger
Guest
If ur looking for a centre, I'd give Frank Bunce a call and ask him if he's ever practiced the arts of being, a witch doctor. Gotta be some kind of witchcraft in there if u start your test career at thirty-something and finish at forty-something......well, you know what I mean because, he was a tough old bugger, if I may say so. Then again, you could call the Chiropractor from Samoa.....ummmm, is that you Dr Brian Lima??? Yep - he'll do fer sure.
Step and Compress
Guest
Does Mike Cron qualify? After all, he's the scrum doctor, isn't he?
Frank
Guest
Someone told me once that Conrad Smith was a doctor but Google could not confirm. Perhaps others will know.. WOuld be a handy centre in the doctors xv
Jeepers
Guest
The late great Dr Charles "Chilla" Wilson - legendary flanker and Manager of the 1984 grand slam Wallabies.
Paul
Guest
Dr Alec Ross, Wallaby fullback (1925-1934) and doctor And how could we all forget Weary Dunlop!