Mako finds new super rugby home

When Taine Robinson says “it is a pretty crazy story”, you just know it is worth hearing and sharing.

While Tasman was enjoying a break-out season, highlighted by winning the Ranfurly Shield, the utility back spent the whole time rehabbing.

“I was frustrated but I was happy for my teammates,” says Taine, whose year had started so promisingly.

He was on a wider training contract with the Crusaders and was elevated to the bench for two Super Rugby matches, first five against the Brumbies and fullback for Moana Pasifika.

The Collingwood-born player returned to Tasman with the message, another good NPC season was needed to be considered again for the Crusaders.

But disaster struck while playing for Stoke in the Nelson club rugby semi-finals.
“I injured my ankle and then kept reinjuring it,” reveals Taine, who has moved between Richmond and Motueka.

The utility back missed all of the regular NPC season but was scheduled to return for the semi-finals.

Sadly, other injuries finally caught up with the Mako and the side was overwhelmed by Canterbury in the quarter-finals.

So, with the Crusaders no longer an option, the 24-year-old signed with the Boston-based New England Free Jacks to play in Major League Rugby.

And that’s where the story takes a crazy twist.

“No sooner had I agreed to the American move, and was looking at a new adventure, than my agent Dale Cook came to me with a two-year contract for the Highlanders,” says Taine.

“I was told getting out of the US deal could be a problem.”

Cue no nonsense Highlanders Head Coach Jamie Joseph who sorted everything out with his Free Jacks counterpart Ryan Martin who used to coach in Otago.

“So now I am headed to pre-season training later this month in Dunedin where I have only been a couple of times previously.

“But there have been a lot of Tassie players there before and they liked the culture.”

Fellow first fives Marty Banks and Mitch Hunt certainly enjoyed success with the Highlanders.

Making the move even more exciting is the prospect of working with former All Black great Ben Smith, who is on the coaching staff.

Taine will have one familiar face with him in the south, Tasman’s best player this season, winger Timoci “Jim the Bus”Tavatavanawai.

“Actually, I call him by his other nickname – ‘the difference’. And he sure is on the field,” insists Taine, who might see playing time at fullback as another outstanding Fijian player Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens is on the injury list.

Ironically, Jacob broke his neck as his Taranaki side lifted the Shield from Tasman.
Taine is one of 20 Tasman players named across seven sides in the 2025 Super Rugby draft. The Crusaders have 10, Moana Pasifika four, the Highlanders two, and the Blues, Hurricanes, Western Force and Fijian Drua one each.