Wallabies prop Tom Robertson is relishing his International return after being named on the bench against South Africa at Suncorp Stadium.
It will be almost three years to the day since the 27-year-old last featured in gold, ironically against the same opposition at the same venue in 2018.
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The prop would miss the rest of the season after suffering a knee injury before an ankle injury and an admitted dip in form cost him future opportunities.
With Allan Alaalatoa leaving camp, it has allowed the Force prop to reclaim his spot in the 23, something which he wouldn't take for granted.
"It’s great, everything that I’ve ever wanted was to come back playing for the Wallabies,” Robertson said on Thursday.
“It’s unbelievable to get my name on the bench so hopefully we get the win on the weekend and that’ll be the cherry on top.
“...There was obviously a few variables there (why I wasn't picked), I can’t really say there was one specific reason why I haven’t had a jersey since…I’m just so happy to be back now."
His selection for the Rugby Championship came after a brilliant season for the Force, returning to the form that saw him picked as a fresh-faced 22-year-old.
He credits the Force for changing his outlook on the game and believes the growing representation in the Wallabies side through Izack Rodda and Feleti Kaitu'u proves the club is on the right track.
“I think personally it was a good decision for me. It hasn’t exactly made me a better footy player but I was mentally refreshed after changing teams and environment,” he believes.
“I think that really helped me play some of my better footy which was a credit to the Force and where they are going as an organisation is really positive so I can’t thank them enough for getting me back there.”
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His stint in the West saw him play the majority of his Rugby at loose-head prop, forming a strong partnership alongside Kaitu'u and Argentinan international Santiago Medrano.
However, Robertson will likely feature at tight-head if called upon, something he was more than comfortable to do in order to fulfil his dream return.
“Every now and then I’ve played there, (last) for the Force against Bay of Plenty and for the Waratahs in 2019 so it’s not extremely foreign. I’ve been doing some training there last few weeks,” he admits.
“I made my debut at tight-head so it’s not completely unfamiliar so I’m confident enough that the week that we’ve had and the front row that we have with Angus Bell and Feleti Kaitu’u, they’re very good scrummages as well so I’m pretty confident going into the weekend.”
