Tom Robertson desperate to play for Wallabies in Lions series after impressive Force outing

Western Force prop Ollie Hoskins has entered folklore after taking on the Lions with a broken toe, while a former Wallaby has made a ballsy offer to represent his country once more.

So desperate is Tom Robertson to play for the Wallabies against the Lions, he is willing to give up a testicle.

The Western Force prop may not need to go to such lengths to convince Australian coach Joe Schmidt, after a highly impressive performance against the touring side, when in the first half they were pushing the Lions scrum back.

Robertson, who hasn’t played a Test for Australia in three years, is firmly back in the frame for the series starting July 19, particularly as he is able to cover both sides of the scrum

Tom Robertson impressed for the Force, then made clear how desperate he was to face the Lions. Picture: Getty Images

“It would mean the world, I haven’t played a Test since 2022, and it’s the highlight of your career rugby-wise, it’s a very special thing to do,” Robertson said.

“I’d give my left testicle to do it again, but we’ll see how we go.

“Just to be in the squad is an honour, to try and push for a gig in that 23 would be unreal. I’d come close last year being in the squad for a bit and then had a few injuries and didn’t make the 23.

“It would be an unreal experience to play in a Test against the Lions.”

Robertson’s Force teammate Dylan Pietsch, when asked if he’d make a similar sacrifice to play for the Wallabies against the Lions, quickly responded: “I don’t have kids yet. He’s got kids.”

British & Irish Lions captain Dan Sheehan and teammate Pierre Schoeman, right, battle in a scrum against the Force. Picture: AP Photo

Robertson, 30, won the Force player of the year award this season, and has overcome severe setbacks.

“There were definitely moments, I did my ACL in 23 and took a year off, went over to Oxford (to complete a medical degree),” he said.

“It was great fun. I got away from rugby, but I think that was the best thing for me. I really got that drive back.

“When I was away, there were definitely moments there where I didn’t know if I’d come back to professional rugby, but I’m very glad I did. I feel like I got that spark back. I’m really loving it this year at the Force.”

Ollie Hoskins lined up for the Force with a broken toe. Picture: Getty Images

Tom Robertson in action for the Wallabies abck in 2018. Picture: AAP

Robertson’s front row partner, Ollie Hoskins, enters rugby folklore after playing the Lions with a broken toe.

It was revealed after the match that Hoskins broke his small toe two weeks ago, and required a painkilling injection before remarkably putting the Lions scrum under pressure.

“It’s incredibly brave,” Robertson said.

“Going into a Lions game with a broken foot, not for the faint-hearted, he did incredibly well and I’m sure without a local injection in his foot, he wouldn’t have played.”

Originally published as Tom Robertson desperate to play for Wallabies in Lions series after impressive Force outing