Maroons rehab queen Robinson back from shoulder injury
Queensland winger Julia Robinson has proven herself to be the wonder woman of rugby league yet again, bouncing back from a dislocated shoulder in just six weeks.
Robinson, 26, will take her place on the wing for the Maroons in the State of Origin opener on Thursday at Suncorp Stadium after not playing since round two of the BMD Premiership with Wynnum-Manly in March.
Last week the dynamic ball-runner attended a Maroons two-day camp where she passed fitness tests with flying colours and is back in camp for the week-long preparation for Thursday night's Origin clash with NSW.
Last year, weeks out from the opening Origin match, Robinson tore a hamstring but recovered to play. She then suffered another tear while playing for Brisbane in week one of the NRLW competition, and came back three weeks ahead of schedule.
"I don't like getting injured, but it makes me more motivated to come back bigger and better," Robinson told AAP.
"I am testing stronger in my shoulders than at the start of the year, and all my little niggles are squared away. I'm fitter and stronger than ever for the Origin game.
"People probably think I'm crazy, but I just love the rehab process and coming back from injury.
"We had an opposed session last week against the Queensland under-19s girls and that was my first little test that I passed. I am good to go for Origin."
Maroons coach Tahnee Norris was over the moon to welcome the Brisbane Broncos powerhouse into camp, and confirmed she would play wing next week.
"Robbo is such a great athlete and a good person to have around the team," Norris told AAP.
"She brings so much athleticism and strength to the game with her carries in the outside backs. It is just insane how good she is."
Robinson missed game two of last year's series in Townsville due to suspension, but can't wait to rip into the historic three-game format this year.
"I love playing in the Queensland Maroons jersey and hopefully I get to play all three games this year," she said.
"I was suspended for game two last year, but I was lucky to still be part of it all. I managed to get to camp for a few days and got to sit up in the box with Tahnee.
"It made it a little bit easier because if I was at home I would have been sad. It was good we were able to hold that shield at the end. I was so proud of the girls, and young China (Polata) did such a good job debuting on the wing."
Robinson wants to stay fit and keep doing what she does best.
"I know my strength is my running game, so I want to keep excelling while there are a few things I can still work on," she said.
"My job is to take strong carries at the back, and catching all the balls. That is my main focus. As a winger, I tell myself, 'don't drop the ball'."
