Tom Robinson can find the funny side of being the son of World Rugby Chair and Wallabies legend Brett.
“I wouldn't say he's the most powerful man in rugby, that probably feeds his ego a bit,” he says and laughs.
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Robinson is blazing his own trail in the 15-a-side game, set to captain Australia U20s against New Zealand U20s in the opening round of the U20 Rugby Championship in South Africa on Monday.
The flanker is following in the footsteps of the inaugural Brumbies skipper, with dad Brett playing 16 Tests for Australia.
The blonde-haired flanker is coming off a brilliant 2025 season, named the Reds Academy Player of the Year.
Such was the trust in the flanker, Reds coach Les Kiss named him to start on his club debut against Tonga in July, before he co-captained the team against the Wild Knights in Toowoomba.
“The past 12 months have been great. The 20s were an awesome experience, like pretty different to anything I've done, and then coming back leaning on that because those 20s games are a different intensity to what you'd be getting in club footy or anything like that," he explained to Rugby.com.au.
“It set me up for those opportunities at the back end of the year…the physicality obviously takes a big step up, and when you play against those higher level teams, you notice how you know even small errors will kind of get punished.”
Captaincy has followed Robinson throughout his journey through the pathways, skippering the Australia U18s in their victory over the Kiwis in 2024.
He has two great leaders to learn from, Wallabies skipper Harry Wilson and Reds skipper Fraser McReight, who are eager and open to helping out.
“They're great. They give me a lot of advice anytime I've got a question,” Robinson explained
“They're always there to answer or even at the end of training helping me out with a few drills or anything like that. It's great just to have two of probably the best back rowers in the world, and even Briley [Joe Brial], who's playing really well this year, leading the way, and showing me the ropes has been really great.”
With the opening game of the competition coming in proximity to ANZAC Day, Robinson was leaning into the history and competitive rivalry.
“I remember last year we were in Perth for Anzac Day and went to the dawn service there the day we flew out or maybe the day before,” he said. “It's a massive day, and I don't know it puts a lot of people in perspective as a bunch of 20-year-olds, sort of similar age, doing something very different to what we're doing, but I think we can definitely lean on that for a bit of inspiration and their courage and bravery."
As he looks to inspire Australia to success, he’s got a great role model and mentor looking to do the same for the world game.
“It is a little bit weird actually to think about his job sometimes but so that's a him problem not a me problem,” Robinson added.
“He doesn't try to worry too much about my individual game. He knows that I've got enough coaches and stuff and players around me to help me do that, more like bigger picture stuff around just making sure I'm enjoying rugby and making the most of all the opportunities that it brings.”
