Doctor-in-waiting Tom Robertson has credited his international study sabbatical for re-igniting his love and passion for rugby, saying he feels refreshed and ready to play on for years.
Robertson will notch his 100th Super Rugby cap when he lines up for the Western Force in Saturday's clash with the Crusaders in Christchurch.
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It's a milestone Robertson never thought he'd reach, with his heart initially set on becoming a doctor.
"When I first started at the Waratahs, I was on an extended playing squad contract. I was not really expecting to play professional rugby for more than a year," Robertson explained.
"I had in my contract that in the days off I could go to medical school.
"I had all that stuff written in because I generally thought I would be a doctor and not a professional rugby player."
Robertson made his Waratahs debut in 2016, and was in the Wallabies gold by the end of the year.
The 30-year-old's doctorate path was put on hold as his rugby career continued to flourish at the Waratahs, and he made the move to the Force at the end of 2021.
But the lure of further studies proved too hard to resist, with Robertson granted a "study sabbatical" for the 2024 campaign.
Robertson was still in the midst of recovering from his 2023 ACL tear when he headed across to Oxford to complete a Masters of Public Policy.
It means he now has four degrees to his name, but he's not done with yet.
"I have an undergraduate bachelor of medical science, I have a master of public health, and I have a master of philosophy, majoring in anaesthesia," Robertson said.
"I have a suspended doctorate of medicine from the Sydney of University, which I'll finish off after rugby.
"I'd love to be an anaesthetist one day, and do two to three days a week of clinical, and two to three days in government or public health."
Robertson's study break at Oxford looks set to have a big flow-on effect for his rugby career.
"It really refreshed my career having that year off," he said.
"Missing out on potential World Cup selection in 2023 after doing my ACL was really disappointing.
"So then to have the chance to go over and study at Oxford for 12 months was the best refresh for my career.
"After playing 100 games now, I feel like I can do another 100 after having that year off.
"It refreshed in my mind how much I love playing rugby and how much I love playing the game.
"It cemented in my head how much I'm not ready to finish playing yet."
The Force have rested stars Nic White, Ben Donaldson, Hamish Stewart and Carlo Tizzano against the Crusaders, while Dylan Pietsch (knee) and Nick Champion de Crespigny (concussion) are injured.
But Kane Koteka, who served an 18-month ban for unknowingly taking a prohibited substance, will start at open-side flanker in his first Super appearance in 1050 days.
"It's pretty emotional thinking about what that guy has had to go through," Robertson said.
"To see him back to almost his best form after almost three years away from the game, it's incredible to see that determination and commitment he's shown through all that time."
