Has Nicky Made The Wrong Decision?

Nicky Robinson
By Andrew Collins
March 31 2009

After 8 years with Cardiff and the Blues, Nick Robinson will leave the Arms Park for West Country side Gloucester as he seeks to freshen up his rugby career. But having steered his side to an EDF Cup Final, as well as a Heineken Cup Quarter Final, has Nicky made the wrong decision to leave?

"It's obviously been one of the hardest decisions I'll ever have to make in my rugby career. To decide to leave my hometown club, somewhere where I dreamt of playing, and spent a large part of my career was always going to be hard. However, it's something I felt I needed to do."

On March 13^th, Cardiff Blues confirmed that one of their longest servants would be leaving the region having been ignored for too long on the national scene. It was announced that Nicky had signed for Gloucester, following his popular brother Jamie out of the Arms Park doors come the end of the season.

It came as worrying news for many Blues fans, who hold him in the highest regard, but Nicky divides opinion like no other player in Wales, and so there are some who will see his departure as a good thing for the region.

But having again shown on Saturday just how important he is to this team, few would begrudge him a call on Wales' summer tour. Other than three woeful penalty attempts to touch, the Blues fly half was faultless and vital in guiding his side to their first ever Cup Final, and Cardiff rugby's first since 1997.

However his now imminent departure to the Guinness Premiership may be his downfall. Like many players before him, Nicky may well be lost to International rugby having chosen to pursue a career in England.

For years, Nicky has carried the ‘inconsistent' tag, somewhat unfairly, since his days as a youngster when he showed flashes of brilliance in amongst some nightmarish moments. But in recent years he's showed maturity, control and confidence, and his game has come on leaps and bounds. Now 27, the Cardiff born product looks to be fulfilling his potential, but sadly is leaving before he has the chance to prove his doubters wrong.

Though he has 12 caps to his name already, Nicky has been shunned by Welsh coaches in recent years, despite his fine regional form, and his Head Coach Dai Young blames the national set up for his star stand off leaving.

"Not getting selected last November really hurt them. Nicky and Jamie are going because they have been here eight and 10 years and want have a new challenge, which I understand, [but] since I have been here, they are only the second and third players I did not want to leave."

Robinson's indifferent form in previous years understandably saw him fall to fourth choice behind Stephen Jones, James Hook and the up and coming Dan Biggar, but his if Welsh bosses have been watching him this year, then a call up must surely be one the cards, as he's been performing far better than his Osprey's counterparts.

But as Michael Owen, Hal Luscombe, Gareth Cooper, Dwayne Peel, Lee Thomas and Gareth Delve have all found out, plying your trade next door can come at a costly International price.

Much like Stephen Jones, Nicky seems to have grown into his position with age, and is now beginning to look the complete package, so will his decision to leave the Principality just as he hits his prime come back to haunt him?

Only time will tell, but if he can enjoy a successful spell with Gloucester away from the glaring Welsh public, Nicky could still have a important Welsh future ahead of him yet.