Latest news with #NathanSharpeMedal
The Advertiser
29-06-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
'I'd give up my left testicle': Tom Robertson
So just how desperate is prop Tom Robertson to play for the Wallabies again? "I would give up my left testicle," the Western Force veteran says without hesitation. It's been three years since Robertson last pulled on the Wallabies gold. Since then, he has ruptured his ACL, spent a year-long study sabbatical at Oxford as part of his path to becoming a doctor, and fell back in love with rugby again. Robertson produced a standout Super Rugby Pacific campaign this year to win the Nathan Sharpe Medal as the Western Force's player of the season. The 30-year-old further bolstered his Wallabies hopes with a strong display for the Force in Saturday night's 54-7 loss to the British and Irish Lions in front of 46,656 fans at Optus Stadium. The Force's scrum was widely tipped to be humbled against the Lions. But powered by Robertson's efforts, the Force's scrum stood firm all night, and was arguably the better of the two teams. Robertson has notched 31 caps for the Wallabies since making his debut in 2016, and his selection in the squad for next Sunday's Test against Fiji in Newcastle shows he's now well and truly back in the frame. Getting a gig to feature in the three-Test series against the British and Irish Lions would be a dream come true. "It would mean the world," Robertson said. "You know, I haven't played a Test since 2022, and that's the highlight of your career. "I would give my left testicle to do it again. "Just to be in the squad is an honour, and to push for a gig in that 23 would be unreal. "I came close last year being in the squad for a bit, but I had a few injuries and didn't make the 23. "It would be an unreal experience to play a Test against the Lions." Robertson said there were definitely moments he doubted he would ever feature for the Wallabies again. "I did my ACL in 2023 and took a year off, went over to Oxford," he said. "It was great fun. And I sort of got away from rugby, but I think that was the best thing for me. I really got that drive back. "When I was away, there were definitely moments there where I didn't know if I'd come back to professional rugby, but I'm very glad I did. "I feel like I've got that spark back." Another Force player who boosted his chances of a Wallabies recall was Dylan Pietsch, who was the standout performer against the Lions on Saturday night. The 27-year-old produced a series of dazzling runs in the first half in what was just his second match back from a serious quad injury. "I did a 25cm grade-three tear in my quad," Pietsch revealed of the injury. "It was pretty big, it was in the first three minutes of the Highlanders game (in round eight), when I went to take off and it just ripped." Pietsch returned for the Force's final game of the season, and credits the team's physiotherapist, "Magic" Mike Neil, for having him in tip-top shape. "I just feel smooth," Pietsch said. "Throughout the back end of last year, and then going into the start of this year, I was kind of fighting for a lot of things. "Like my joints weren't really going that well. "Just to be able to not have to worry about that, and get to the speed and the agility that I want to be at is pretty cool." So just how desperate is prop Tom Robertson to play for the Wallabies again? "I would give up my left testicle," the Western Force veteran says without hesitation. It's been three years since Robertson last pulled on the Wallabies gold. Since then, he has ruptured his ACL, spent a year-long study sabbatical at Oxford as part of his path to becoming a doctor, and fell back in love with rugby again. Robertson produced a standout Super Rugby Pacific campaign this year to win the Nathan Sharpe Medal as the Western Force's player of the season. The 30-year-old further bolstered his Wallabies hopes with a strong display for the Force in Saturday night's 54-7 loss to the British and Irish Lions in front of 46,656 fans at Optus Stadium. The Force's scrum was widely tipped to be humbled against the Lions. But powered by Robertson's efforts, the Force's scrum stood firm all night, and was arguably the better of the two teams. Robertson has notched 31 caps for the Wallabies since making his debut in 2016, and his selection in the squad for next Sunday's Test against Fiji in Newcastle shows he's now well and truly back in the frame. Getting a gig to feature in the three-Test series against the British and Irish Lions would be a dream come true. "It would mean the world," Robertson said. "You know, I haven't played a Test since 2022, and that's the highlight of your career. "I would give my left testicle to do it again. "Just to be in the squad is an honour, and to push for a gig in that 23 would be unreal. "I came close last year being in the squad for a bit, but I had a few injuries and didn't make the 23. "It would be an unreal experience to play a Test against the Lions." Robertson said there were definitely moments he doubted he would ever feature for the Wallabies again. "I did my ACL in 2023 and took a year off, went over to Oxford," he said. "It was great fun. And I sort of got away from rugby, but I think that was the best thing for me. I really got that drive back. "When I was away, there were definitely moments there where I didn't know if I'd come back to professional rugby, but I'm very glad I did. "I feel like I've got that spark back." Another Force player who boosted his chances of a Wallabies recall was Dylan Pietsch, who was the standout performer against the Lions on Saturday night. The 27-year-old produced a series of dazzling runs in the first half in what was just his second match back from a serious quad injury. "I did a 25cm grade-three tear in my quad," Pietsch revealed of the injury. "It was pretty big, it was in the first three minutes of the Highlanders game (in round eight), when I went to take off and it just ripped." Pietsch returned for the Force's final game of the season, and credits the team's physiotherapist, "Magic" Mike Neil, for having him in tip-top shape. "I just feel smooth," Pietsch said. "Throughout the back end of last year, and then going into the start of this year, I was kind of fighting for a lot of things. "Like my joints weren't really going that well. "Just to be able to not have to worry about that, and get to the speed and the agility that I want to be at is pretty cool." So just how desperate is prop Tom Robertson to play for the Wallabies again? "I would give up my left testicle," the Western Force veteran says without hesitation. It's been three years since Robertson last pulled on the Wallabies gold. Since then, he has ruptured his ACL, spent a year-long study sabbatical at Oxford as part of his path to becoming a doctor, and fell back in love with rugby again. Robertson produced a standout Super Rugby Pacific campaign this year to win the Nathan Sharpe Medal as the Western Force's player of the season. The 30-year-old further bolstered his Wallabies hopes with a strong display for the Force in Saturday night's 54-7 loss to the British and Irish Lions in front of 46,656 fans at Optus Stadium. The Force's scrum was widely tipped to be humbled against the Lions. But powered by Robertson's efforts, the Force's scrum stood firm all night, and was arguably the better of the two teams. Robertson has notched 31 caps for the Wallabies since making his debut in 2016, and his selection in the squad for next Sunday's Test against Fiji in Newcastle shows he's now well and truly back in the frame. Getting a gig to feature in the three-Test series against the British and Irish Lions would be a dream come true. "It would mean the world," Robertson said. "You know, I haven't played a Test since 2022, and that's the highlight of your career. "I would give my left testicle to do it again. "Just to be in the squad is an honour, and to push for a gig in that 23 would be unreal. "I came close last year being in the squad for a bit, but I had a few injuries and didn't make the 23. "It would be an unreal experience to play a Test against the Lions." Robertson said there were definitely moments he doubted he would ever feature for the Wallabies again. "I did my ACL in 2023 and took a year off, went over to Oxford," he said. "It was great fun. And I sort of got away from rugby, but I think that was the best thing for me. I really got that drive back. "When I was away, there were definitely moments there where I didn't know if I'd come back to professional rugby, but I'm very glad I did. "I feel like I've got that spark back." Another Force player who boosted his chances of a Wallabies recall was Dylan Pietsch, who was the standout performer against the Lions on Saturday night. The 27-year-old produced a series of dazzling runs in the first half in what was just his second match back from a serious quad injury. "I did a 25cm grade-three tear in my quad," Pietsch revealed of the injury. "It was pretty big, it was in the first three minutes of the Highlanders game (in round eight), when I went to take off and it just ripped." Pietsch returned for the Force's final game of the season, and credits the team's physiotherapist, "Magic" Mike Neil, for having him in tip-top shape. "I just feel smooth," Pietsch said. "Throughout the back end of last year, and then going into the start of this year, I was kind of fighting for a lot of things. "Like my joints weren't really going that well. "Just to be able to not have to worry about that, and get to the speed and the agility that I want to be at is pretty cool."
Perth Now
29-06-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
'I'd give up my left testicle': Tom Robertson
So just how desperate is prop Tom Robertson to play for the Wallabies again? "I would give up my left testicle," the Western Force veteran says without hesitation. It's been three years since Robertson last pulled on the Wallabies gold. Since then, he has ruptured his ACL, spent a year-long study sabbatical at Oxford as part of his path to becoming a doctor, and fell back in love with rugby again. Robertson produced a standout Super Rugby Pacific campaign this year to win the Nathan Sharpe Medal as the Western Force's player of the season. The 30-year-old further bolstered his Wallabies hopes with a strong display for the Force in Saturday night's 54-7 loss to the British and Irish Lions in front of 46,656 fans at Optus Stadium. The Force's scrum was widely tipped to be humbled against the Lions. But powered by Robertson's efforts, the Force's scrum stood firm all night, and was arguably the better of the two teams. Robertson has notched 31 caps for the Wallabies since making his debut in 2016, and his selection in the squad for next Sunday's Test against Fiji in Newcastle shows he's now well and truly back in the frame. Getting a gig to feature in the three-Test series against the British and Irish Lions would be a dream come true. "It would mean the world," Robertson said. "You know, I haven't played a Test since 2022, and that's the highlight of your career. "I would give my left testicle to do it again. "Just to be in the squad is an honour, and to push for a gig in that 23 would be unreal. "I came close last year being in the squad for a bit, but I had a few injuries and didn't make the 23. "It would be an unreal experience to play a Test against the Lions." Robertson said there were definitely moments he doubted he would ever feature for the Wallabies again. "I did my ACL in 2023 and took a year off, went over to Oxford," he said. "It was great fun. And I sort of got away from rugby, but I think that was the best thing for me. I really got that drive back. "When I was away, there were definitely moments there where I didn't know if I'd come back to professional rugby, but I'm very glad I did. "I feel like I've got that spark back." Another Force player who boosted his chances of a Wallabies recall was Dylan Pietsch, who was the standout performer against the Lions on Saturday night. The 27-year-old produced a series of dazzling runs in the first half in what was just his second match back from a serious quad injury. "I did a 25cm grade-three tear in my quad," Pietsch revealed of the injury. "It was pretty big, it was in the first three minutes of the Highlanders game (in round eight), when I went to take off and it just ripped." Pietsch returned for the Force's final game of the season, and credits the team's physiotherapist, "Magic" Mike Neil, for having him in tip-top shape. "I just feel smooth," Pietsch said. "Throughout the back end of last year, and then going into the start of this year, I was kind of fighting for a lot of things. "Like my joints weren't really going that well. "Just to be able to not have to worry about that, and get to the speed and the agility that I want to be at is pretty cool."
Perth Now
02-06-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
Western Force players shine at glamour-packed awards night
Nick MacLennan & Georgina Thorp, Nick Champion & Olivia O'Donnell and Maddi Beale & Kurtley Beale. Picture: John Koh Western Force stars and their partners glammed up for the team's annual awards night, where the best players were honoured for their sporting skills. The River View Room at Optus Stadium was transformed into a sea of glamour as the talented players and team members let their hair down for an evening of celebrations after the Force's season wrapped up. Tom Robertson claimed the Nathan Sharpe Medal which is the club's highest individual men's honour while women's stalwart and captain Trilleen Pomare won the Rebecca Clough Medal for their best Super W player. Nick Champion de Crespigny and Anneka Stephens won the Force man and woman awards respectively, awarded to the players who best embody the Force spirit on and off the field as judged by the coaches.
West Australian
30-05-2025
- Sport
- West Australian
Western Force prop Tom Robertson wins Nathan Sharpe Medal, centre Trilleen Pomare claims Rebecca Clough Medal
Western Force prop Tom Robertson has marked an incredible comeback season by claiming the Nathan Sharpe Medal — the club's highest individual men's honour. It came as women's stalwart and captain Trilleen Pomare won the Rebecca Clough Medal for their best Super W player at the Force's annual awards night. After missing last season through a combination of a torn ACL and study sabbatical at Oxford University, Robertson produced an excellent first year back with the Force. He became the first prop to win the award, which is voted on a 3-2-1 basis by players after each game, finishing on 267 votes ahead of winger Harry Potter (241) and Carlo Tizzano (200), while locks Darcy Swain (196) and captain Jeremy Williams (136) rounded out the top five. A natural loosehead prop, Robertson started every game at tighthead and never once looked out of place, while consistently putting up startling defensive numbers. He finished on 197 tackles for the season, which was second in Super Rugby only to teammate Tizzano heading into the final round of the year. He also scored a memorable, breakaway try against the Red in round seven. The 30 year-old will surely be in Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt's squad for the British and Irish Lions tour, and will be hoping to add to his 30 Test caps. Force coach Simon Cron hailed Robertson's impact this season. 'He has been the rock in the team this year. He's played the most amount of minutes as a front-row forward in the whole competition, which is testament to his attitude and preparation. He's got an unmatched work rate, tackle count and effective involvements. 'He's done an incredible job having to play tighthead prop for us, especially when he's a specialist loosehead. No one else could've done what he's done and we're thrilled to see that recognised.' WA women's rugby royalty Rebecca Clough was in attendance to present her medal to inside centre Pomare, who has missed just one Force game since Super W's inception in 2018 and has been captain since 2020. Pomare had yet another fruitful season, highlighted by her finishing in the league's top 10 for successful tackles and dominant tackles, while also continuing to punish defences with the ball in hand. She pipped back-rower Anneka Stephens to the award, finishing on 74 votes to Stephens' 71, while emerging local Tamika Jones finished third. Force Super W head coach Dylan Parsons said Pomare's 2025 was one of her best seasons and she was a worthy winner. 'She came into the season in a really good position. She was very motivated for the team and herself to do well, and because of that we've seen some really good performances from her throughout the whole season,' he said. 'When things aren't going well, she's the first one to step up and try to make something happen. Trill leads through grit and determination. Pomare was also voted member's Super W MVP, while homegrown Wallaby Tizzano capped a similarly superb season by winning the members' Super Rugby Pacific MVP for the second straight year. Back-rowers Nick Champion de Crespigny and Stephens won the Force man and woman awards respectively, awarded to the players who best embody the Force spirit on and off the field as judged by the coaches. Emerging hooker Albert Alcock and fly-half Grace Freeman won the Matt Hodgson and Debby Carley rising star awards, while innovation and sustainability manager Anton Zackey won the Adrian Blacker award, which recognises an off-field member who upholds and instills the club's values. Nathan Sharpe medal top 10 1. Tom Robertson (267 votes) 2. Harry Potter (241) 3. Carlo Tizzano (200) 4. Darcy Swain (196) 5. Jeremy Williams (136) 6. Nick Champion de Crespigny (115) 7. Ben Donaldson (87) 8. Marley Pearce (86) 9. Kane Koteka (78) 10. Hamish Stewart (78) Rebecca Clough medal top 5 1. Trilleen Pomare (74 votes) 2. Anneka Stephens (71) 3. Tamika Jones (41) 4. Pia Tapsell (34) 5. Ashley Marsters (25)
