Tom Robertson will not let sport end his educational dreams, with the Wallabies prop negotiating a study sabbatical into his new Rugby Australia contract.
Robertson has committed to the Wallabies and the Western Force until 2025 but will not be with either for parts of 2024, instead heading to Oxford University in England where he will study a Master of Public Policy.
The 113kg, 31-cap Wallaby enforcer might not look like a bookworm but his qualifications suggest otherwise.
The 28-year-old already boasts a Bachelor of Medical Science, a Master of Public Health and a Master of Philosophy-Medicine, and will undertake his next degree via a John Monash Scholarship.
Robertson thanked the organisations for allowing him to pursue his studies while still playing, adding “it’s not every day people come together and allow you to miss half a year of rugby”.
“It’s been a dream of mine to go to Oxford for a while now to study,” he said.
“It’s really exciting, and I am incredibly appreciative to the Monash Foundation and Dr Brett Robinson for helping fund this opportunity.
“At Oxford, I will start a Master of Public Policy … this is about how to try and get governments to give the medical system more money, especially where I’m from in Dubbo.
“From a rugby perspective, studying has helped my career. Having something off-field has been really helpful and important to me.
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
“Having something to strive towards after your career is definitely important, and not only is it good for my mental health it helps with rugby as well.”
Robertson tore his anterior cruciate ligament playing for the Force in round 13, and is now set to return to the field for the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season where he will push for Wallabies selection for the British and Irish Lions series.
Wallabies coach Eddie Jones said he hoped Robertson would return from injury in the same form he showed this campaign.
“Tom is an experienced Test player,” Jones said.
“His ability to play both sides of the scrum is highly valuable and we wish him all the best for a quick and successful recovery.”
Around the Ankles
Roar Rookie
Meat isn’t noisy, it’s either raw or cooked. Of course it is unusual to see professional sportsman complete a degree but you would probably find that a majority of development players are in the process of completing a first degree and many will have one by the time they make a super debut. If they are disciplined they have plenty of spare time to complete study around training. The higher portion of union players studying for degrees might explain the fewer off field indiscretions in union vs league. They simply don’t have the time.
piru
Roar Rookie
I’m surprised more Roarer’s are here banging away at keyboards instead of just running around playing a game. Just unlucky I guess, mate - apparently it's like the lottery, you're just arbitrarily given perpetual talent and never have to put any work in.
piru
Roar Rookie
I personally reckon his rural upbringing in Zim (and forced departure) would have entailed more upheaval than 99% of the jokers on the Roar could even conceive 100% mate, they came here as virtual refugees - not sure where this 'spoilt kid' narrative comes from, but I suspect it's been invented by some who don't like his politics
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Plenty are encouraged to study these days as Pro players. They have plenty of time off from rugby to do it.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Not to his face lol.
Atlas
Roar Rookie
Well done Tom Robertson Anton the Academic Oliver would be one - completed two degrees in NZ while playing pro rugby, then after 2 yrs with Toulon went to Oxford for his postgrad MSc, and later Executive MBA at Cambridge. And a quote from AO: "the game still hasn't sorted out what it is going to do with all the 32-year-olds that will get spewed out the other end of the system, emerging without any qualifications or any real life experience." There was a recent news item on Crusader loose forward Christian Lio-Willie who is a dentist and has to continue working between matches to order to maintain his professional registration.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Yeah, elite sportsmen don't have to work hard to achieve what they do. Anyone can do it. I'm surprised more Roarer's are here banging away at keyboards instead of just running around playing a game.
piru
Roar Rookie
had the good fortune of gracing the world’s sporting fields as an elite sportsman for most of his life You imagine he became one of the world’s best 7s just by ‘good fortune’, luck, and not hard work? It was some sort of privilege he was born into? Maybe he was just in the right place at the right time? Who’s delusional?
pm
Roar Rookie
A very select few get a Rhodes scholarship in order to study there, not by graduating.
pm
Roar Rookie
No there isn't.
AJP
Roar Rookie
Yeah, nah. Piru ain't delusional. Make of his story what you will, but I personally reckon his rural upbringing in Zim (and forced departure) would have entailed more upheaval than 99% of the jokers on the Roar could even conceive - https://www.smh.com.au/sport/rugby-union/david-pocock-opens-up-about-zimbabwe-violence-20150111-12lw41.html
piru
Roar Rookie
Dunno if anyone's ever called Robbo a toff before
Perthstayer
Roar Rookie
Would be nice to get Hoskins back to Perth. 30 years old but lots left in the tank
Big A
Roar Rookie
bit of an oxymoron piru - Pocock is exactly what you describe - "rich kid who’s never done a day’s work in his life" - he's been privileged enough and had the good fortune of gracing the world's sporting fields as an elite sportsman for most of his life - he wouldn't know what a hard day's work is - and don't get me wrong - Pocock was as good as they come - a real champion - but if you think that his story is somehow reflective of a "hard day's work" then you're delusional mate.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Plenty of All Blacks have Uni degrees Geoff K. Nothing uncommon about it in todays era where most countries encourage education for their pro atheletes. 1st World cup winning Capt went to Oxford I think. Dr Kirk.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Sorry Piru but the minute pocock showed he was good at rugby he was treated differently. He was then given all the things that rich kid has had. Pocock has definately led a life most dont get to live. I wouldnt vote for Pocock if it was compulsory to vote ( it is ) and he was the only candidate.
piru
Roar Rookie
not sure how 15 years of putting one’s head in the dark places that he often frequented on the field qualifies him to now tell us how to run our lives Would you prefer a rich kid who's never done a day's work in his life? Pocock's orders of magnitude more versed in the real world than most pollies
piru
Roar Rookie
Props are by and large (mostly large) the smartest blokes on the field imo'
Big A
Roar Rookie
yeh but the're way better footballers than our toffs are
Geoff K
Roar Rookie
Paul D :laughing: :laughing: you just opened a can..lol :laughing: :laughing: Waiting for Jacko now.