England captain Jason Robinson has imposed a media black-out in the run-up to this weekend’s Test against South Africa because of what he sees as an ”unwarranted intrusion” into his private life.
Not only will Robinson not attend Wednesday’s traditional Test captain’s press conference at the world champions’ training base in Surrey, south-east England, but will not now be giving any interviews at all ahead of the match against the Tri-Nations champions at Twickenham on Saturday.
Robinson (30) last week became the first former rugby league player and first black man to captain the England union team in the 70-0 rout of Canada at Twickenham.
A devoted family man, who has publicly credited his conversion to Christianity with turning round a once-dissolute private life, he was appointed England captain in place of injured flyhalf Jonny Wilkinson.
”Jason will not be attending what is normally the captain’s press conference this week,” said a Rugby Football Union statement issued on Tuesday.
”He is unhappy at what he sees as unwarranted media intrusion into his life outside rugby, especially relating to past events which have already been dealt with.
”Jason will therefore be doing no interviews before the England vs South Africa international at Twickenham on Saturday.
”England vice-captain Mike Tindall will attend Wednesday’s press conference in place of Jason Robinson.” — Sapa-AFP