By Sam Ryan

The Waratahs today announced the signing of former NRL winger Reece Robinson on a two-year deal.

The former Broncos, Raiders and Eels outside back played rugby at school, before jumping ship to the 13-man game, where he scored 57 tries in 116 NRL appearances.

Now I hope Robinson is an absolute star and in a few years time, I’ll look back on this article and feel like an absolute idiot.

But I’m really not sure that I will.

The 28-year-old obviously has plenty of natural talent and like others before him, he’ll be physically ready to play rugby at a high level. But with the modern-day winger playing more like a second and third fullback, there’s a concern that Robinson may not pick up the intricacies of the game quick enough to make an impact in his two years at Moore Park.

Israel Folau is the exception to the rule, but he’s also a once in a generation type athlete. If the Australian cricket team needed him over summer, I’ve got no doubt Folau could slot in.

Is Robinson as gifted? I guess we’ll find out, but regardless of all that, there’s a bigger issue.

The Waratahs have already signed former All Black Zac Guildford for 2016. Barring injury, incumbent winger Rob Horne will also return from Wallabies duty to take his spot on the wing.

So where does Robinson fit?

Sure, he may get some time during his two years with the Tahs, but after that what will happen. We’ll have a 30-year old that might be good enough to earn a contract extension, if he doesn’t chase bigger money elsewhere.

Wouldn’t the Waratahs be better served showing greater faith in one or a number of the young outside backs already in their program?

Or what about a few of the try-scoring machines in the Intrust Super Shute Shield?

Andrew Kellaway is the first bloke that springs to mind. Labelled the best schoolboy prospect since Kurtley Beale, the 20-year old hasn’t quite lived up to his first NRC season, where he finished as the competition’s top try scorer – but a shift to fullback could be blamed for that.

Regardless, the kid can clearly play and will only benefit by greater exposure at the next level.

Tom Kingston spent 2015 playing Shute Shield after finishing his time with the Rebels and did enough to warrant a second crack at Super Rugby.

His Sydney Uni teammate Henry Clunies-Ross was just as impressive this and although he’s missed the backend of the season through injury, the 21-year old will bounce back.

Southern Districts pair Alex Gibbon and Paul Asquith both just left the Australian Sevens program to focus on 15-a-side rugby and both wouldn’t look out of place on a Super Rugby field. Asquith in particular can play almost anywhere in the backline.

And then there’s Warringah’s Harry Jones and Manly’s Alex Northam, who’ve both impressed in the NRC.

That’s just naming a few.

I guess my main point is that regardless of the impact Robinson makes in the next two years, what benefit will NSW and Australian rugby get after that?

If he goes on to be a Wallaby, I’ll eat my words. But history says league converts rarely last in rugby union for the long run.

Instead, I’d rather see Gibson take a punt on a young bloke and give him the time to develop. You only have to look at the success Rob Horne has had in recent years to prove that it can work.

At the end of the day, they’re wingers. What’s the worst they could do?

Note: To avoid abusive emails, the final line of this article is not to be taken seriously.